Do not give antacids to children.

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Antacids and Children Just Don't Mix (courtesy: Daily Health News) On a recent vacation I visited a family fair where rows of booths addressed various children's health issues. Imagine my surprise when I turned a corner and found one hawking lansoprazole (Prevacid), a high-powered acid-suppressant known as a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI), for pediatric gastroesophageal reflux (GER), also known as GERD in those with the disease. When I was young, a little Pepto Bismal was standard fare for all kids' tummy aches. It seems, however, that the pharmaceutical companies are upping the ante... and now, instead of soothing an irritated stomach, they are going to change the natural function of children's digestive systems. This seemed a perfect subject for this month's Digestion Connection discussion with Daily Health News contributing editor

Andrew L. Rubman, ND. Not surprisingly, Dr. Rubman told me that acid suppressants (such as PPI drugs Prilosec and Prevacid) -- relieve heartburn by decreasing stomach acid production and antacids (such as Mylanta and Maalox) neutralize stomach acid. These drugs, he says, should rarely be taken by children, just as they should rarely be taken by adults. It's all marketing, hucksterism and salesmanship, now at the cost of even our children's health and well-being, warns Dr. Rubman. He adds that not only are these drugs often unnecessary, they are actually harmful to our health -- and our children's health. Truth be told, digestive difficulties are also likely to develop due to insufficient rather than excess stomach acid, says Dr. Rubman. ACID SUPPRESSANTS AND CHILDREN Acid suppressants like Prevacid suppress normal digestive function, explains Dr. Rubman. He points out that

whenever you tinker with the natural processes of the body, you are asking for trouble. In this case, when you limit a child's ability to digest food by giving him/her acid suppressants, there are a number of negative consequences in the body... Greater susceptibility to germs and disease. Not for digestion alone, germ-killing stomach acid is also part of the body's natural defense system against microbial invaders such as bacteria, viruses, yeast and mold, says Dr. Rubman. When you disarm this system, invaders are left free to colonize the stomach and digestive tract. The immune system counters with an inflammatory response, damage to stomach cells ensues, and the door is open to diseases such as gastritis, Crohn's disease and asthma, Dr. Rubman explained. When I pointed out to Dr. Rubman that some children actually take GER drugs for uncontrolled or poorly controlled asthma, he responded that they might be helpful in the short

run, since asthma drugs can cause or worsen reflux -- but in the long run, drugs that reduce gastric acid negatively impact the body. Bloating, gas, bad breath, rashes. A child taking antacids or acid suppressants can get away with eating greasy, fatty foods -- just the sort of foods you want him/her to avoid -- without getting a tummy ache. However, Dr. Rubman warns that this is not a free pass, and the body's digestive discomfort will manifest itself elsewhere, as in skin rashes or passing gas. Suppressed liver function. When you suppress stomach acid, you also suppress liver function, cautions Dr. Rubman. This means that fat can no longer be as efficiently excreted with bile. Additionally, acid suppressants reduce the body's ability to thoroughly digest proteins, which reduces its ability to manufacture "the good cholesterol," HDL, says Dr. Rubman. Young developing bodies with developing

hormones are especially vulnerable to damage due to suppressed liver function, he says. Additionally, suppressing the liver's ability to produce HDL can create a cholesterol problem that would not have existed without the acid suppressants, according to Dr. Rubman. Increased risk of acid reflux "disease." Ironically, antacids and acid suppressants can contribute to the very problem they are supposedly designed to treat, says Dr. Rubman. When there is insufficient stomach acid, the stomach cannot properly break down food. This can lead to inadequate sterilization of food content allowing microbes present in the meal to survive and colonize the stomach lining. For example, food-borne H. pylori, a cause of chronic gastritis and an established cause of stomach cancer, can survive in an acid-suppressed stomach, says Dr. Rubman. Note: In rare cases, as when children have ulcers, antacids

may be taken on a short-term basis (no longer than 14 days), if not caused by bacteria, which would need to be treated separately. A SAFE AND EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE Fortunately, Dr. Rubman reminded me of the many safe and natural ways to address heartburn and other digestive disturbances in children... Lose weight. Rather than addressing symptoms alone, it's vital to address their underlying cause, says Dr. Rubman. Obesity is a growing problem in children and more often than not, heartburn and GER are due to excess pounds from overeating. Look at natural ways to control heartburn. Instead of turning to acid suppressants, try an antacid. Add a half teaspoon of pure baking soda to a glass of cold water, or give your child an Alka-Seltzer, which is simply modified baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) in tablet form with aspirin

and citric acid. But remember, this should be done only on an empty stomach. Suppressing acid in the absence of ulcer only perpetuates the symptoms, says Dr. Rubman. Chew food thoroughly. Chewing stimulates enzyme activity, and the more food is broken down in the mouth, the more readily the nutrients in the food are absorbed and utilized. As a parent, I know how hard it is to get your children to slow down while eating... just keep working on them. Eat three meals a day. While popular thinking holds that small, frequent meals are less likely to cause indigestion, Dr. Rubman disagrees. With three reasonably-sized meals a day, stomach acid can efficiently dissolve food and extract nutrients when a child eats, and the stomach can rest between meals. This means watch the snacking as well if your child is having stomach upsets. If they really need a snack, as many children do, ripe fruit that is not

citrus is their best bet because it tends to digest quickly in a compromised environment. Avoid this within an hour of bedtime. Limit fluids with children's meals. Fluids dilute stomach acid, leaving more work for the stomach to do. Dr. Rubman advises that children cease drinking one-half hour before eating, and refrain from drinking for an hour afterward. Monitor food combinations. It's unwise to combine foods that digest quickly (sugar, white flour products, white potatoes, etc.) with highly saturated fats (such as red meat or dairy), cautions Dr. Rubman. Another good rule of thumb: No fruit with meals. Either eat the fruit one-half hour before the meal or wait at least an hour to an hour and a half after the meal to eat the fruit depending on the size and complexity of the meal. (See Daily Health News, September 4, 2006, for more detailed advice and explanations about food combinations from Dr. Rubman.) Consider digestive enzymes or herbal remedies. When stomach acid levels are low, Dr. Rubman recommends digestive aids such as DuoZyme (Karuna) and Gastri-Gest (Priority One). These supplements stimulate hydrochloric acid release. Check with a trained professional regarding the proper dosage for your child's age and weight. ACID SUPPRESSANTS ARE NO ANSWER As usual, it's not nice to mess with Mother Nature. Acid suppressants that limit a child's natural ability to digest food are no answer to heartburn, indigestion or GER, says Dr. Rubman, especially since they impact the child's digestive function. Instead, take simple steps to support the body's natural ability to heal

itself, keeping a closer eye on what your child eats and when, and making sure he/she chews thoroughly instead of gulping down meals. In no time at all, his tummy will be on the mend. If therapeutic trials of digestive enzymes produce less than adequate outcomes, your doctor might want to consider tests that measure low stomach acid, such as a stool analysis or the Heidelberg gastrogram. After all, they (the pro-vaccine lobbyists) say to themselves, you can't make an omelette withoutbreaking eggs. But the eggs being broken are small, helpless, and innocent babies, while the omelette is being enjoyed by the pediatricians and vaccine manufacturers. - Harris L. Coulter, PhD

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