MeSci
ME/CFS since 1995; activity level 6?
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I thought this item from Physicians' First Watch would interest people with ME, as many of us seem to have B12 deficiency and some have taken/are taking proton pump inhibitors (not sure re histamine-2 receptor antagonists).
Acid Inhibition Associated with B12 Deficiency
By Joe Elia
Use of acid-suppressing drugs for more than 2 years is associated with a greater risk for vitamin B12 deficiency, according to a JAMA study. Gastric acid plays a key role in extracting B12 from dietary proteins.
Using Kaiser Permanente health records, researchers identified 26,000 cases of incident B12 deficiency, comparing their medication histories with those of 185,000 controls without the condition.
Incident B12 deficiency was more likely among those who'd received 2 years or more of proton pump inhibitors than among nonusers (odds ratio, 1.65). The effect was more pronounced in those taking 1.5 PPI pills a day or more; similar dose-dependent effects occurred with histamine-2 receptor antagonists. The association weakened with time after discontinuation of drug use.
The authors write that their findings don't argue against acid suppression, but instead advise that "clinicians should exercise appropriate vigilance" when prescribing the drugs.
Link(s):
JAMA article (Free abstract) http://click.jwatch.org/cts/click?q=227;67930462;9aZjLxbDtDBUvRf3jbnVf9Wg5naPdL2x8id3q/CAMqU=