Long-Term PPIs, Role of Probiotics for Gut & Metabolic Health - Dr Banshi Saboo

Q) What is the Potential Impact of Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) on gut microbiota?

Now, this has been a longstanding question regarding the long-term prescription of PPIs. We all know that gut microbiota is very important for metabolic homeostasis, not only glucose homeostasis. Prescribing PPIs for a long time can disturb the gut microbiota and may be responsible for increasing metabolic problems.

Q) What are the potential benefits of Co-Prescribing probiotics with Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) and their role in the improvement of Quality of Life (QoL)?

The use of probiotics in our country is relatively less. They are used only when someone develops diarrhea, antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD); but now we are seeing more uses of probiotics among our pediatrician colleagues for pediatric patients. However, I fully agree that there should be more use of prebiotics and probiotics in diabetic patients; it will definitely help our patients. There has been a lot of data generated in the last decade regarding the uses of pre-and probiotics in diabetic patients. With the uses of pre and probiotics, particularly for patients on a long-term PPI prescription, they should be given probiotics to improve their metabolic health and GI system.