The Study: Researchers measured vitamin C blood levels in 29 patients before and after taking 40 mg of Prilosec (omeprazole) daily for 28 days. The patients had an average one-eighth decrease in their blood vitamin C levels.The researchers noted that lower gastric acidity reduced the bioavailability of vitamin C.The Citation: Henry EB, et al. Proton pump inhibitors reduce the bioavailability of dietary vitamin C. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 2005;22(6):539–45.
What It Means to You: Prilosec, Nexium, and other drugs used to treat heartburn and gastric reflux are among the most widely used medications in the US.
The reduction in vitamin C absorption is especially serious, given that 48 percent of Americans do not obtain the Reference Dietary Intake (90 mg) for vitamin C.
Acid-reducing medications also set the stage for atrophic gastritis (lack of stomach acid), which interferes with vitamin B12 absorption.
Your better bet is to avoid foods that trigger heartburn and gastric reflux, but if you must take these drugs, also take a high-potency multivitamin supplement.
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