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Prilosec And Other PPI Drugs May Be Linked To Alzheimer’s Disease
How damage to the health of one’s gut may permanently affect one’s mind
Dementia in general — and Alzheimer’s Disease in particular — is not just terrifying on a personal level, but heartbreaking for everyone involved. We operated an adult family home where almost all our residents had dementia, and I can’t think of a single disease or condition that frightens me more. As a result, I try to see what steps I can take to minimize my own risk as my hair turns ever grayer.
Alzheimer’s Disease is the most feared form of dementia, and it has a host of risk factors ranging from obesity, blood pressure, and diabetes to stroke, depression, and family history. The problem is, to this day we still don’t know exactly what causes Alzheimer’s Disease. It may be one factor or a combination of factors.
The Gut-to-Brain Connection
What was not known until a decade or so ago, however, was that our gut biome—defined as ”the totality of microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi, and their collective genetic material present in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT)” — may play a direct role in the health of our brains. We all have that vast host of microorganisms inside us, and having the right mix of organisms in our guts…
