Stomach acid drugs may increase vitamin deficiency risk

By Andrew M. Seaman NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Popular drugs that are used to control stomach acid may increase the risk of a serious vitamin deficiency, suggests a new study. Researchers found people who were diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency were more likely to be taking proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine 2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs), compared to those not diagnosed with the condition. “This doesn’t mean people should stop their medications,” Dr. Douglas Corley, the study’s senior author, said. Humans typically get vitamin B12 from eating animal products.