Did you know that one of the underlying causes of most digestive disorders is low stomach acid?
Can’t break the cycle of acid reflux or heartburn?
Did you know that you should not take antacids for more than 8 weeks?
Many people may not realize that their stomach does not produce enough stomach acid, especially if they eat antacids like candy. Stomach acid known as hydrochloric acid (HCl) is necessary for many bodily functions, especially to aid in the digestion of food.
Many people take antacids to relieve heartburn or swallowing, but what is not known is that, in most cases, lowering the acid in the stomach causes more problems in the long run. What your asking to yourself? The biggest problem is that your body won’t be able to produce enough stomach acid to do an adequate job of keeping your GI tract healthy and supporting your immune system.
What does HCl do?
• Breaks down food for digestion, including protein
• Kills toxic bacteria in food
• Kills pathogens that are ingested
• Balances the pH levels (acid/alkaline level) in the stomach
• Supports immune health in the small intestine
More acidity details:
Protein eater: HCl activates an enzyme called pepsin so it can digest protein. Protein is critical to the maintenance and building blocks of every cell, including collagen, hormones, neurotransmitters, enzymes, antibodies, hair, skin, nails, and muscle.
Do you love sushi? – HCl also helps kill microorganisms that exist in the food we eat, especially if you like to eat raw food like sushi. It also prevents food from settling and fermenting in the stomach.
Pathogen killer: HCl is important in preventing food poisoning, yeast, bacterial, viral, bacterial, parasitic and protozoan infections of parasitic diseases, i.e. in cases of malaria, African sleeping sickness, etc.
Team Player: HCl helps with the proper absorption of minerals like iron, magnesium, and zinc, all minerals that, along with calcium, contribute to building bones in your body. Chemical and electrical processes are happening at every moment. These processes can work properly ONLY if the balanced minerals are ingested correctly.
Don’t take your HCl for granted!
What does HCl, or hydrochloric acid, do for you? Everyone needs adequate levels of stomach acid to break down food and absorb nutrients, including minerals, vitamins, and folic acid. If you don’t have enough stomach acid, you can’t fight off infections or invading bacteria. HCl is crucial in preventing bacteria from migrating from the small intestine and colonizing the stomach. Think about the last time you were sick: did it take you a long time to get over it?
People diagnosed with inflammatory bowel diseases, such as celiac disease, GERD, or IBS, have heartburn problems. If you have made changes to your diet and lifestyle and are not seeing results, check with your healthcare provider.
Symptoms
If you experience acid reflux, heartburn, burping, gas, or nausea after eating, you likely have low stomach acid.
Why did this happened?
There is a constant pressure in the abdomen known as intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). A normal stomach has an IAP between 0 and 55 mm Hg. When there is not enough stomach acid, the IAP increases and pushes against the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Since the lining of the esophagus lacks the protective layer that the stomach has, any stomach acid that rises up into the LES touches the lining of the esophagus, causing a painful burning sensation.
Some signs of low stomach acid are:
• “Acid stomach” that is relieved only by eating
• Gastric indigestion
• Bad breath and body odor
• Indigestion 30 minutes to an hour after eating that lasts up to 4 hours
• Undigested food visible in stool
• Causes of upset stomach from acidic or spicy foods
• White spots on the nails or broken nails
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Taking antacid medications frequently
What is happening in your stomach?
If there isn’t enough acid in the stomach, the food is likely sitting and fermenting rather than being broken down. This fermentation produces gas. If you’re burping and still tasting your food hours after you’ve eaten, this may be an indication that the food is still in your stomach and hasn’t moved into your small intestine yet. This is not a good sign. But you can help yourself! How? Try mindful eating to help increase your HCl level.
How to increase your HCl?
Making simple dietary changes can usually help improve acid levels.
Recommended foods:
• Wild salmon, yellow fin tuna, avocados and sprouted nuts,
• Foods rich in omega-3 oils and fiber
• At least 64 oz of filtered water per day
• Yogurt with active cultures
Harmful foods:
• Alcoholic drinks
• Trans fat
• Refined sugars and artificial sweeteners (sugar encourages bacterial growth).
• Nightshade vegetables, tomatoes, eggplants and potatoes
• Simple carbohydrates (refined) and wheat
• Peanuts, foods with sodium nitrite, monosodium glutamate,
• A little common sense here, avoid any food that gives you heartburn
