--- title: "Is It Time to Reconsider Your Acid-Reducing Medication?" entity: "blog" canonical_url: "https://www.saskatoonnaturopathic.com/blog/heartburnandgerdsaskatoon" markdown_url: "https://www.saskatoonnaturopathic.com/llms/blog/heartburnandgerdsaskatoon" lastmod: "2025-11-06T21:10:05.000Z" --- For many people living with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or chronic [heartburn](/heartburn), acid-reducing medications like proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) feel like a necessary part of daily life. These drugs can offer powerful relief — and for short-term symptom management, they can be incredibly helpful. But what happens when "short-term" turns into years of daily use? At Saskatoon Naturopathic Medicine, we frequently see patients who were prescribed PPIs years ago and are still taking them — often without re-evaluating whether they’re still needed. If this sounds like you, here’s what you should know. The Hidden Risks of Long-Term PPI Use Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) work by reducing the production of stomach acid. They’re commonly used for conditions like GERD, ulcers, and gastritis. While highly effective, research has revealed some concerning long-term risks when these medications are used for extended periods — especially without medical review. Long-term PPI use has been associated with: - Enteric infections such as Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) or SIBO, due to reduced stomach acid’s role in killing harmful bacteria (1)(2) - Increased risk of fractures particularly in the hip, spine, and wrist, due to impaired calcium absorption (3) - Low magnesium levels (hypomagnesemia) which can lead to muscle spasms, irregular heartbeat, and seizures (4) - Chronic kidney disease a growing concern in recent observational studies (5) - Vitamin B12 deficiency which may cause fatigue, nerve damage, and cognitive decline over time (6) These risks don’t mean that PPIs are inherently harmful — but they do mean that ongoing, unnecessary use should be avoided. What Do the Guidelines Say? You don’t have to take our word for it. According to [Choosing Wisely Canada](https://choosingwiselycanada.org/recommendation/gastroenterology/), a campaign led by clinicians to promote evidence-based decision-making (7): “ Even though GERD is often a chronic condition, over time the disease may not require acid suppression, and it is important that patients do not take drugs that are no longer necessary. For this reason, patients should try stopping their acid suppressive therapy at least once per year. ” (8) This recommendation highlights the importance of reassessing your need for acid suppression — especially if your symptoms have changed or improved. Why Quitting Cold-Turkey Doesn’t Work If you’ve ever tried to stop your PPI on your own, you may have noticed something alarming: your symptoms got worse — sometimes even worse than before. This is known as acid rebound, a temporary surge in acid production after stopping the medication. It’s one of the biggest reasons people feel "stuck" on these drugs. But don’t let that scare you. Acid rebound can be managed — and in many cases, prevented — with proper support and a gradual tapering plan (9). The key is to work with a knowledgeable healthcare provider who can guide the process. How Naturopathic Medicine Can Help At Saskatoon Naturopathic Medicine, we take a comprehensive approach to digestive health. We recognize that reflux and GERD are not just about acid — they’re complex conditions influenced by many factors, including: - Gut motility - Food sensitivities or triggers - Stress and nervous system imbalance - Weight, posture, and lifestyle - Microbiome health - Stomach acid deficiency ( surprisingly!) Rather than suppressing symptoms indefinitely, our goal is to identify and address the root cause of your digestive issues. For some people, this means eventually reducing or stopping their PPIs. For others, it means supporting digestive function alongside safe medication use. Either way — the treatment should be personalized, evidence-informed, and done in collaboration with your primary healthcare provider. What a Natural Reflux Support Plan Might Include Every patient is different, but here are some of the strategies we may use in a tailored plan to support your digestive health: - Tapering support — A gradual reduction plan for PPIs, if appropriate, to minimize rebound symptoms - Targeted supplementation — To help protect, repair, and replenish gut lining - Dietary guidance — Identifying and reducing reflux-triggering foods without creating unnecessary restriction - Lifestyle tools — Addressing habits, sleep posture, meal timing, and stress — all of which influence reflux We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Your plan will be built around your history, your symptoms, and your health goals. The Role of Your Primary Care Provider It’s important to note we do not recommend stopping or altering any medications without discussing it with your prescribing physician first. There are some cases where discontinuing PPI therapy is not advised (i.e. patients with Barrett’s esophagus, Los Angeles Grade E esophagitis, or gastrointestinal bleeding would be exempt from this). Our goal as naturopathic doctors is to work alongside your conventional care team. We can provide supportive therapies, help you build a foundation for healing, and ensure that your transition (if appropriate) is safe and well-monitored. To support collaboration with your prescribing physician, we’re happy to share lab results, progress updates, or treatment plans as part of your integrative care. You Don’t Have to Do This Alone If you’ve been taking acid-reducing medications for years and feel unsure about the next step — you’re not alone. You deserve to understand your options and feel confident in your care. Whether you’re looking to explore coming off your PPIs, manage persistent reflux symptoms, or simply support better digestion overall, we’re here to help. Ready to Take the Next Step? [Book a consultation](/book-now) with our team at Saskatoon Naturopathic Medicine today. Together, we’ll create a plan to: ✅ Support your gut health naturally ✅ Reduce your reliance on medication — if appropriate ✅ Address the root cause of your reflux symptoms ✅ Help you feel confident, comfortable, and in control of your health again 📅 [Click here to book your appointment](/book-now) References: 1. Lo WK, Chan WW. Proton pump inhibitor use and the risk of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: a meta-analysis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2013 May;11(5):483-90. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2012.12.011. Epub 2012 Dec 24. PMID: 23270866. 2. Lombardo L, Foti M, Ruggia O, Chiecchio A. Increased incidence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth during proton pump inhibitor therapy. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2010 Jun;8(6):504-8. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2009.12.022. Epub 2010 Jan 6. PMID: 20060064. 3. Yu EW, Bauer SR, Bain PA, Bauer DC. Proton pump inhibitors and risk of fractures: a meta-analysis of 11 international studies. Am J Med. 2011 Jun;124(6):519-26. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2011.01.007. PMID: 21605729; PMCID: PMC3101476. 4. Hess MW, Hoenderop JG, Bindels RJ, Drenth JP. Systematic review: hypomagnesaemia induced by proton pump inhibition. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2012 Sep;36(5):405-13. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2012.05201.x. Epub 2012 Jul 4. Erratum in: Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2012 Dec;36(11-12):1109. PMID: 22762246. 5. Lazarus B, Chen Y, Wilson FP, Sang Y, Chang AR, Coresh J, Grams ME. Proton Pump Inhibitor Use and the Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease. JAMA Intern Med. 2016 Feb;176(2):238-46. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2015.7193. PMID: 26752337; PMCID: PMC4772730. 6. Lazarus B, Chen Y, Wilson FP, Sang Y, Chang AR, Coresh J, Grams ME. Proton Pump Inhibitor Use and the Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease. JAMA Intern Med. 2016 Feb;176(2):238-46. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2015.7193. PMID: 26752337; PMCID: PMC4772730. 7. Cahir C, Fahey T, Tilson L, Teljeur C, Bennett K. Proton pump inhibitors: potential cost reductions by applying prescribing guidelines. BMC Health Serv Res. 2012 Nov 19;12:408. doi: 10.1186/1472-6963-12-408. PMID: 23163956; PMCID: PMC3529111. 8. Choosing Wisely Canada: Gastroenterology Recommendations. https://choosingwiselycanada.org 9. Reimer C, Søndergaard B, Hilsted L, Bytzer P. Proton-pump inhibitor therapy induces acid-related symptoms in healthy volunteers after withdrawal of therapy. Gastroenterology. 2009 Jul;137(1):80-7, 87.e1. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2009.03.058. Epub 2009 Apr 10. PMID: 19362552.