Investigators at University of California San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine reported that 10% of the general population take a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drug (e.g., Prilosec, Nexium, and Prevacid) to block stomach acid secretions and relieve symptoms of frequent heartburn, acid reflux, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). But that percentage can be as much as seven times higher for people with chronic liver disease.

They have just published evidence that stomach (gastric) acid suppression in mice and humans alters specific gut bacteria in a way that promotes liver injury and progression of three types of chronic liver disease.