Stomach Acid: Your Powerful Tool For Optimal Health
As we age, stomach acid production tends to go up, not down. TV commercials for stomach acid suppressors would have you believe otherwise. Acid-suppressing drugs are big moneymakers. As of 2001, they brought in more than seven billion dollars a year for the pharmaceutical giants (Wright & Leonard, 2001). TV commercials make it seem like acid-suppressing medications are harmless. In fact, there are lawsuits alleging the pharmaceutical companies know that their medications were never meant for long-term use due to the risk of serious health consequences including cancer (Kennedy, 2019).
High stomach acid is not as common as low stomach acid. But the symptoms are often the same, which leads to confusion. I’d argue that for most people with GI complaints, low stomach is more likely the culprit-- not high stomach acid.
Often the problem is the location of the stomach acid. It is common to have stomach acid in the wrong place, such as creeping up the esophagus. Nothing feels worse! As a reminder, the esophagus is a tube that leads from the back of the throat to the entrance of the stomach. The door to the stomach is called the LES or lower esophageal sphincter. Sometimes the door does not close properly. This can lead to acid from the stomach splashing into the esophagus and creating reflux or backflow. While the stomach has a mucus layer to protect itself from its own acid, the esophagus does not. Stomach acid can damage esophageal tissue and increase the risk of serious problems.
If you are overweight, your LES may not work that well. To optimize the proper functioning of the LES, avoid eating quickly -- definitely no fast food in the car!. Avoid laying down right after meals. And be mindful of foods that may trigger the relaxation of the LES, such as too much spice, caffeine, alcohol, or citrus.
How does the body make stomach acid?
Stomach acid is made within the parietal cells of the stomach. Hydrogen is combined with chloride to make hydrochloric acid, also known as gastric acid and gastric juice. The pH or acidity level ranges from 1-3, which is powerful enough to burn a hole through your clothes. The process of making stomach acid begins the minute we see or taste food – which is a strong argument for mindful eating. Sadly, many people eat in a hurry which is a recipe for indigestion because the stomach doesn't have a chance to make enough gastric juices.
Why do we need stomach acid?
Stomach acid helps us break down food, especially protein. Gastric acid breaks down protein into amino acids that the body can then utilize. Amino acids are needed more most functions of the body, including muscle building, tissue repair, hormone production, neurotransmitters, and digestion.
Stomach acid is also a first line of defense against harmful pathogens that might be lurking in your food. No one wants food poisoning!
Testing for Stomach acid
There is a medical test to check stomach acid levels. It is called a Heidelberg test, named after a city in Germany. Hyperchlorhydria refers to excess stomach acid. Hypochlorhydria refers to insufficient stomach acid. The test consists of swallowing a small, pill-shaped device designed to measure stomach acid.
You can also test your stomach acid at home. The results are not as reliable as the Heidelberg test. So I recommend you do a baking soda test over several days and compare results.
· Mix ¼ teaspoon baking soda with 4 ounces of water
· Drink first thing in the morning
· If you combine sodium bicarbonate and stomach acid it will react and form carbon dioxide – which should make you burp
· How long does it take you to burp?
· Burping in 1-2 minutes indicates adequate stomach acid.
· Burping in over 3-4 minutes means you might need more stomach acid.
What happens as we age?
The ads on TV for acid-suppressing medications often target older people, as if it’s understood that stomach acid increases with age. The opposite is more likely. As we get older, many things wear out. It’s rare to find someone over 40 who doesn’t use reading glasses. In general, the GI system slows down with age. Food takes longer to pass through the digestive tract. Reduced stomach acid in seniors is the suspected culprit behind low iron and B12 levels (Britton & Mclaughlin, 2012). Low iron or low B12 can both cause anemia. Insufficient B12 can also lead to nerve damage.
What common health conditions may be related to low stomach acid?
· Osteoporosis and osteopenia due to problems absorbing minerals such as calcium and magnesium (Thong et al., 2019).
· Bacterial overgrowth such as SIBO
· Skin conditions
· Pernicious anemia
· Stomach cancer
· Depression
· Allergies
· Some autoimmune conditions (Wright & Leonard, 2001)
Helpful tips:
· Eat slowly & mindfully
· If you experiencing symptoms of poor digestion, test your stomach acid.
· Apple cider vinegar is a great way to boost gastric juices. Try it in homemade salad dressing. I love Braggs brand!
· Old fashion digestive bitters from a company like Urban Moonshine are another gentle way to stimulate gastric juices.
· Betaine HCl (a supplement form of stomach acid) can be highly effective but should not be used without a practitioner’s supervision.
· For relief of GERD symptoms, try chewable DGL tablets before every meal. It’s a form of licorice without the ingredient known to raise blood pressure. DGL tablets help protect the mucus barrier and are safe for long-term use.
· Avoid antacids because they reduce stomach acid and often contain aluminum, which is toxic to the body. Popping a DGL is a great alternative!
· Avoid excess alcohol
· Don’t smoke
· Maintain a healthy weight
· Don’t lie down immediately after a meal
· Avoid too much stress
Lastly, there are situations where short-term use of acid-suppressants are appropriate. Hyperchlorhydria, or high stomach acid, can have serious health consequences. Common causes include Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, a rebound effect from certain medications, and perhaps H. pylori (Calam et al., 1997). Let your doctor know if you are experiencing any digestive issues.
Resources:
Britton, E. & McLaughlin, J. T. (2012) Ageing and the gut. Cambridge University Press. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/proceedings-of-the-nutrition-society/article/ageing-and-the-gut/A85D096755F5F7652C262495ABF302A0
Calam, J., Gibbons, A., Healey, Z. V., Bliss, P., & Arebi, N. (1997). How does Helicobacter pylori cause mucosal damage? Its effect on acid and gastrin physiology. Gastroenterology, 113(6 Suppl), S43–S50. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0016-5085(97)80010-8
Dumic, I., Nordin, T., Jecmenica, M., Stojkovic Lalosevic, M., Milosavljevic, T., & Milovanovic, T. (2019). Gastrointestinal Tract Disorders in Older Age. Canadian journal of gastroenterology & hepatology, 2019, 6757524. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/6757524
Kennedy, M.S. (2019) Antacid lawsuit – gastrointestinal cancer from Nexium or Prilosec. Litigation & Trial. https://www.litigationandtrial.com/proton-pump-antacid-stomach-cancer/
Thong, B., Ima-Nirwana, S., & Chin, K. Y. (2019). Proton Pump Inhibitors and Fracture Risk: A Review of Current Evidence and Mechanisms Involved. International journal of environmental research and public health, 16(9), 1571. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16091571
Wright, J.J.& Lenard, L. (2001) Why Stomach Acid is Good For You: Natural Relief from Heartburn, Indigestion, Reflux & GERD. M. Evans: New York.
Disclaimer
The included information is not meant to or should not be used to replace or substitute medical treatment, recommendations, or the advice of your physician or health care provider. The information contained within is strictly for educational purposes and is based on evidence-based nutrition. If you believe you have a medical problem or condition, please contact your physician or healthcare provider.