Columnist Amiee Wilson tells us all about stomach acid.
Overproduction is not the issue
“Our stomach acid has many important roles including the break down of proteins, activation of the enzyme pepsin, which aids in protein digestion, slows the growth of bad bacteria and organisms and helps with the proper absorption of vitamins and minerals.”
Millions of Canadians today are taking acid reducer medications due to acid reflux, Gerd (gastroesophageal reflux disease), indigestion or heartburn.
These medications help to lower the stomach acid in the stomach and they seem to work. We get the impression that too much stomach acid causes the symptoms of heartburn, indigestion and Gerd, but the real issue could be that it is low stomach acid that is causing the issue.
Why is stomach acid important?
The stomach was designed to produce the acid necessary for the break down of food. When it functions properly the stomach will secrete enough hydrochloric acid, which is strong enough to burn through metal. The stomach is actually protected from its own acid by a thick layer of mucous and it produces a bicarbonate solution to neutralize the acid.
Our stomach acid has many important roles including the break down of proteins, activation of the enzyme pepsin, which aids in protein digestion, slows the growth of bad bacteria and organisms and helps with the proper absorption of vitamins and minerals.
What happens when stomach acid is too low?
Several issues happen when stomach acid is too low. Digestion slows to a crawl and the food that is being digested in the stomach hangs around for a longer period of time and the nutrients are not properly broken down.
The stomach is not at the proper pH level and promotes an environment that allows more unfriendly bacteria and organisms to grow. The slow moving food and unfriendly bacteria create an environment where the food ferments and causes excessive pressure.
When the pressure builds up enough, the stomach acid, which still has not been neutralized, opens up the opening at the top of the stomach instead of the lower portion of the stomach, as it has not been signalled to open yet.
The release of pressure allows some acid to be splashed up into the esophagus, which gives you the common symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux.
If there is not enough stomach acid to bring down the pH level, the food will eventually move through the lower portion of the stomach into the small intestine, but since the pH level is not at an optimal range it can cause duodenal ulcers.
When the food is not at the proper pH level in the small intestine it cannot trigger the release of pancreatic enzymes to further break down the food and the large particles of undigested foods begin to have a negative impact on the small intestine lining.
This can lead to leaky gut syndrome. The lining of the intestine becomes permeable and allows undigested food particles to enter the bloodstream causing the immune system to react. This leads to food sensitivities, inflammation and autoimmune disorders.
Once the malabsorbed food finally enters the large intestine this can lead to constipation, diarrhea or IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).
How do you get low stomach acid?
Overuse of antibiotics — this disrupts the gut microflora and causes inflammation. The inflammation can cause stress hormones to increase, which inhibits the ability of the stomach to produce enough stomach acid.
H. Pylori infections — H. Pylori is a normal bacterium in the gut, but when the gut flora is unbalanced it can be allowed to grow out of control. This bacterium then produces an enzyme called urease that causes the symptoms of H. Pylori, such as, belching, burning sensation and pain in the gut.
This bacterium also neutralizes the acidifying effect of the stomach acid allowing it to proliferate.
Chronic stress — if you are under chronic stress then the stress hormones inhibit the ability of the stomach to produce enough stomach acid.
Poor diet — Diets high in animal protein, processed/refined sugars and grains change our microflora and cause chronic inflammation and elevated stress hormones. Eating more wholefoods, fresh, local, fermented, vegetables, fruits and grass-fed or free-range meats are the best diets.
Eating too quickly — We need to slow down and savour our meals. When we eat too fast and do not chew our food fully we put undue stress on the digestive system. Digestion starts in the mouth and not in the gut. Slow down and chew your food thoroughly.
Overuse of pain medications — Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Tylenol, Celebrex and Naproxen, for example, wear down the lining of the stomach, which impairs the ability of the stomach to produce hydrochloric acid.
Acid reducer medications — Proton pump inhibitors are stomach acid blockers, which reduce the acid in the stomach.
Aging — If we ate properly at an early age we should have enough stomach acid into our senior years, but in today’s world if you grew up on Big Macs, packaged/refined foods and meat and potatoes then around age 50 you will see a decline in stomach acid, so supplementing with enzymes and HCL (hydrochloric acid) is prudent.
For more information on how to tell where your stomach acid level is at contact amiee@ namastewellness.ca. I also offer a 20-minute free discovery session.