Aluminium Hydroxide seems to be the main worry and it is used for heartburn. Heres a snippit from Health Foodies 'Holland & Barratt'.
Aluminium Hydroxide
Also indexed as: Algedrate, Alu-Cap®, Aludrox®, Alugel®, Alu-Tab®, Amphojel®, Basaljel®, Di-Gel®, Metapharma Aluminum Hydroxide Gel®, Riopan®
Combination drugs: Maalox®, Mylanta®, Tempo® Tablets
Aluminium hydroxide acts as an antacid and is most commonly used in the treatment of heartburn, gastritis, and peptic ulcer. This drug is also sometimes used to reduce absorption of phosphorus for people with kidney failure.
Aluminium hydroxide is found in a variety of antacids. People should read the ingredient label for over-the-counter (OTC) drugs carefully before purchase to know exactly what they contain.
Interactions with Dietary Supplements –––
Alginates
A thick gel derived from algae has been used together with aluminium antacids to treat heartburn. Together, alginate gel and antacid were more effective at relieving symptoms 1 and improving healing. 2 Alginate is believed to work by physically blocking stomach acid from touching the esophagus. According to these studies, two tablets containing 200 mg alginic acid should be chewed before each meal and at bedtime.
Calcium Aluminium hydroxide may increase urinary and stool loss of calcium. 3 Also, aluminium is a toxic mineral, and a limited amount of aluminium absorption from aluminium-containing antacids does occur. 4 As a result, most doctors do not recommend routine use of aluminium-containing antacids. 5 Other types of antacids containing calcium or magnesium instead of aluminium are available.
Citrate
Several studies have shown that combination of citrate, either as calcium citrate supplements or from orange and lemon juice, with aluminium-containing antacids increases aluminium levels in the body. 6 7 8 Calcium in forms other than calcium citrate has been shown to not increase aluminium absorption. 9 Drinking 7–10 ounces of orange juice provides sufficient citrate to be problematic. 10 11 Intake of 950 mg calcium citrate greatly elevates aluminium absorption. 12 People with renal failure may be at particular risk of kidney damage due to elevated aluminium levels if they combine aluminium hydroxide with citrate. 13
Phosphorus
Depletion of phosphorus may occur as a result of taking aluminium hydroxide. For those with kidney failure, reducing phosphorus absorption is the purpose of taking the drug, as excessive phosphorus levels can result from kidney failure. However, when people with normal kidney function take aluminium hydroxide for extended periods of time, it is possible to deplete phosphorus to unnaturally low levels.
Summary of Interactions for Aluminium Hydroxide
| Depletion or interference | Calcium Phosphorus |
| Adverse interaction | Citrate |
| Side effect reduction/prevention | None known |
| Supportive interaction | Alginates |
| Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability | None known |
For the convenience of the reader, the information in the summary is categorized as follows: “Depletion or interference” indicates the drug may deplete or interfere with the absorption or function of the supplement or herb. “Adverse interaction” indicates that the supplement or herb used together with the drug may result in undesirable effects. “Side effect reduction/prevention” indicates the supplement or herb may reduce the likelihood and/or severity of a potential side effect caused by the drug. “Supportive interaction” indicates the supplement or herb may support or aid the function of the drug. “Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability” indicates that the supplement or herb may decrease the absorption and/or activity of the drug in the body. An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
References:
1. McHardy G. A multicentric, randomized clinical trial of Gaviscon in reflux esophagitis. South Med J 1978;71(suppl 1):16–21.
2. Graham DY, Lanza F, Dorsch ER. Symptomatic reflux esophagitis: A double-blind controlled comparison of antacids and alginate. Curr Ther Res 1977;22:653–8.
3. Spencer H, Kramer L. Antacid-induced calcium loss. Arch Intern Med 1983;143:657–8 [editorial].
4. Anonymous. Is aluminum harmless? Nutr Rev 1980;38:242–3 [review].
5. Gaby AR. Aluminum: The ubiquitous poison. Nutr Healing 1997;4:3,4,11.
6. Walker JA, Sherman RA, Cody RP. The effect of oral bases on enteral aluminum absorption. Arch Intern Med 1990;150:2037–9.
7. Weberg R, Berstad A. Gastrointestinal absorption of aluminum from single doses of aluminum containing antacids in man. Eur J Clin Invest 1986;16:428–32.
8. Fairweather-Tait S, Hickson K, McGaw B, Redi M. Orange juice enhances aluminum absorption from antacid preparation. Eur J Clin Nutr 1994;48:71–3.
9. Nolan CR, Califano JR, Butzin CA. Influence of calcium acetate or calcium citrate on intestinal aluminum absorption. Kidney Int 1990;38:937–41.
10. Anonymous. Preliminary findings suggest calcium citrate supplements may raise aluminum levels in blood, urine. Family Practice News 1992;22:74–5.
11. Fairweather-Tait S, Hickson K, McGaw B, Redi M. Orange juice enhances aluminum absorption from antacid preparation. Eur J Clin Nutr 1994;48:71–3.
12. Nolan CR, Califano JR, Butzin CA. Influence of calcium acetate or calcium citrate on intestinal aluminum absorption. Kidney Int 1990;38:937–41.
13. Walker JA, Sherman RA, Cody RP. The effect of oral bases on enteral aluminum absorption. Arch Intern Med 1990;150:2037–9.
Now are you at risk from aluminium pans? I don't think there are any reported cases. But it is conceivable IMO. More chance than the prophets being ressurrected or Armageddon coming. So thats pretty good for the WTS. Will it appear in the Awake?
ISP
