Have you ever experienced these symptoms?
Gas?
Belching?
Bloating?
Heartburn?
Gastroesophageal reflux?
If so, your medical doctor has likely put you on a proton pump inhibitor (i.e., Prevacid, Nexium, Prilosec) or a histamine H2 antagonist (Pepcid, Tagamet, Zantac).
What about these symptoms?
Bad breath?
Loss of appetite?
Mental fatigue?
Pernicious anemia?
Calcium deficiency?
Low potassium?
Paleness?
ALL of these problems are symptoms of not having enough stomach acid to break down your food.
Other symptoms include:
Undigested food in stool
Offensive smelling stool
White spots on fingernails
Drowsiness after meals
Hair loss
Some food allergies/intolerances
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Delayed gastric emptying
Atrophic gastritis
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Dysbiosis, bacterial
Yeast overgrowth/Candida
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Hives
Adult acne
Eczema
Asthma
Gallstones
Nausea when taking supplements
Burning
Diarrhea
Weak, cracked fingernails
Dilated capillaries in cheeks and nose (non-alcoholics)
Iron deficiency
Mineral and micro trace element deficiencies
Chronic intestinal infections
These conditions are often associated with low or no stomach acid:
Addison's disease
B-12 deficiency-B-12 can only be absorbed in a highly acidic stomach
Bone fractures
Celiac disease
Chronic autoimmune disorders
Chronic gastritis
Diabetes
Gallbladder disease
Graves disease
H. pylori infection
Hepatitis
Lupus
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Osteoporosis
Pellagra
Pernicious anemia
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rosacea (acne)
Stomach cancer
Thyrotoxicosis
Ulcerative colitis
Urticaria
Vitiligo
Stomach acid, also known as betaine hydrochloric acid (HCL), is an important component of the gastric juices in our stomach. Our gastric juices are so important that the body uses a lot of energy and resources to keep these juices pumping. Here are some of the benefits of sufficiently produced hydrochloric acid:
Aids in digestion by breaking down proteins; this is important because undigested proteins can enter the circulation system; this can cause problems like fatigue, mood-related problems, poor skin health, hair loss, joint problems, and much more
Signals the release of bile from the liver and enzymes from the pancreas into the small intestines; this supports the digestion and absorption of fats and carbohydrates as well as essential vitamins like A and E, which are absorbed in the small intestines
Aids in the absorption and assimilation of vitamins and minerals like folate, vitamin C, beta carotene, and iron by increasing their bioavailability
Protects against orally ingested pathogens
Prevents bacterial and fungal overgrowth in the body; research has shown E. coli is inactivated when stomach acid is high
Causes of Low Stomach Acid
Chronic stress
Alcoholism, smoking, and other exposure to toxins
Pregnancy and hormonal changes
Eating an unhealthy diet with a lot of processed foods
Taking antacids on a regular basis to reduce heartburn symptoms
Taking antibiotics and certain other medications
Food allergies/intolerances
Eating disorders, malnutrition, and extreme dieting/calorie restriction
Lack of exercise or enough physical activity
Extreme exercise
How to Increase Stomach Acid
According to Dr. Axe, there are several things you can do to improve the production of stomach acid and to ensure it is properly acidic.
Take 1 tablespoon of raw, organic apple cider vinegar with a small amount of water right before the meals. This increases the acidity of the stomach so food can be broken down properly.
Take digestive enzymes. Enzymes help to completely break down the nutrients you take in.
Take a supplement of hydrochloric acid that contains pepsin whenever you eat protein in your meal. Start with one capsule and work up; when you get a warmness in your stomach, heartburn, diarrhea, or any other digestive discomfort, you have enough and should back down one. This is the most effective way to test the amount of stomach acid.
Eat foods high in zinc. Zinc is used by the stomach to produce acid.
Eat manuka honey. This honey comes from New Zealand and contains antimicrobials that naturally treat small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
Chew your food completely. It is recommended that you chew 30 times before swallowing.
Eat smaller meals. Large meals overwhelm the stomach and food is not effectively broken down.
Relax at mealtime.
Try fasting or intermittent fasting. This gives your digestive system time to recover and heal. Eating all day keeps the digestive system constantly busy.
Reduce stress. Chronic stress diminishes stomach acid output.
Exercise helps to lower inflammation in the body and pushes blood to the digestive system so it works more efficiently.
Herbal Remedies
Dandelion Root Tea to help digest fat. This is especially helpful if you have had your gallbladder removed.
Ginger helps relieve inflammation in the stomach due to low stomach acid. It may even help with the production of digestive enzymes.
Bitters help increase production of gastric juices. Herbs like gentian, barberry root, and artichoke aid in digestion as well.
Drink 16oz of celery juice first thing in the morning. Celery juice restores the stomach's production of HCL and strengthens digestion.
Eat a big spoonful of sauerkraut about 20 minutes before your meal. This provides the enzyme methymethionine (aka vitamin U), which stimulates hydrochloric acid and soothes the digestive tract.
Drink 4oz of freshly juiced cabbage on an empty stomach. This stimulates HCL production and soothes inflammation.
Resources
Hovis, B. S. (n.d.). Nutrition-Other Nutrients. trinityschool.org. Retrieved April 25, 2022, from https://trinityschool.instructure.com/courses/499/pages/week-1-lecture-4-other-nutrients
Hydrochloric acid deficiency. Digital Naturopath. (n.d.). Retrieved April 25, 2022, from http://digitalnaturopath.com/conditions/hydrochloric-acid-deficiency/
Levy, J. (2020, October 21). The stomach acid that defends against GERD, candida & leaky gut. Dr. Axe. Retrieved April 25, 2022, from https://draxe.com/nutrition/hydrochloric-acid/
English, J. (2022, February 25). Gastric balance: Heartburn and gastritis not always caused by excess acid. Nutrition Review. Retrieved April 25, 2022, from https://nutritionreview.org/2018/11/gastric-balance-heartburn-and-gastritis-not-always-caused-by-excess-acid/
Axe, D. J. (2019, September 18). Low stomach acid: 5 steps to naturally heal. Dr. Axe. Retrieved April 26, 2022, from https://draxe.com/health/low-stomach-acid/
Hedberg, N. (n.d.). How to increase stomach acid naturally. Dr. Nikolas Hedberg, D.C. Retrieved April 26, 2022, from https://drhedberg.com/increase-stomach-acid-naturally/
Eske, J. (2020, July 20). Increase stomach acid naturally with 6 methods. Medical News Today. Retrieved April 26, 2022, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-to-increase-stomach-acid#6-natural-methods
Nelson, M. (2015, July 22). Ways to naturally increase stomach acid (hcl) production. Branch Basics. Retrieved April 26, 2022, from https://branchbasics.com/blogs/food/ways-to-increase-stomach-acid-production
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