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Proton pump inhibitors, a popular class of heartburn drugs, may quietly disrupt essential nutrients in the body leading to anemia and bone loss. Environmental and medical researchers from Brazil report their findings in the journal ACS Omega. Their work suggests that long-term use of proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole, pantoprazole, and esomeprazole alters how your body handles key minerals.

In this preclinical study, adult rats In the experimental group receiving omeprazole over 10, 30, and 60 days. Controls did not. The results show clear biochemical differences: treated animals have lower iron levels in the blood, consistent with anemia risk, and higher circulating calcium levels, which suggests calcium bone dissolution, osteoporosis. Researchers also document shifts in mineral distribution across organs including the liver and spleen and changes in immune cells.

Bottom line: don’t necessarily discontinue these medications, but do avoid long-term, unsupervised use without iron and calcium level monitoring. Your stomach acid plays a critical role in absorbing nutrients like iron and calcium.

Though these medications, Prilosec, Protonix and Nexium, are available over-the-counter as well as with a prescription, it is best to take them with the continuing guidance of your medical team.

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.5c07700

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260225081159.htm

#heartburn #ppi #iron #calcium #anemia #osteoporosis