Are You Making Enough Stomach Acid?
Hi Friends,
Let's talk about stomach acid! Contrary to popular belief, stomach acid is often NOT the cause of heartburn and indigestion. Rather, many people suffer from LOW stomach acid, a condition called achlorhydria. As a result, they cannot digest foods properly, which often leads to NON-ACID reflux, or a feeling of "phlegm" in their throats. To learn more about the difference between acid reflux and non-acid reflux, please watch my video on GERD.
Not having enough stomach acid is also a common cause of bloating or burping after eating.
Stomach acid is vital for:
1) Digesting proteins in your diet
2) Destroying pathogens like bacteria or yeast
3) A healthy bacterial balance in your microbiome
4) Preventing Dysbiosis, or Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
5) Preventing an overgrowth of Candida or Small Intestine Fungal Overgrowth (SIFO)
What are some clues that you might have low stomach acid?
1) Feeling like you can't digest meat, or it just sits in your stomach
2) Undigested food particles in your stool
3) Burping or belching after eating
4) Bloating, or recurrent SIBO/ SIFO
5) Brittle hair and nails
6) Non-acid reflux
One root cause of low stomach acid is an H. pylori infection in your stomach. This unique bacteria produces an enzyme called urease that converts urea into ammonia. This neutralizes stomach acid, making it easier for H. pylori to survive in the stomach.
The most definitive way to figure out if you could benefit from supplemental stomach acid, is to try a capsule of Betaine and Pepsin after a meal. Betaine is hydrochloric acid and Pepsin is the enzyme that digests proteins. If you don't feel anything, this means you DID NOT make enough stomach acid, and you NEEDED the supplemental Betaine and Pepsin. On the other hand, if you feel burning, then it means you are making enough stomach acid, and you don't need any additional supplementation. The burning usually subsides within a few minutes, or you can quickly neutralize it by drinking a glass of water with 1/4 tsp of baking soda.
Over the years, I have seen remarkable improvements in patients suffering from bloating, chronic SIBO, and Candida after adding Betaine and Pepsin to their regimen.
Most people who benefit from Betaine and Pepsin also take Digestive Enzyme Pro, which helps to break down fats and carbohydrates as well. Digestive Enzyme Pro is usually taken at a dose of 2 capsules before or after meals and has been a favorite among our patients and customers due to its incredible efficacy at improving all types of gastrointestinal symptoms.
The better you breakdown your food, the more nutrients you can absorb!
Additionally, undigested proteins in the intestines can sometimes register as foreign threats to your immune system. This can lead to inflammation and flare up autoimmune diseases. This is another reason why optimal digestion of your food is so important to your overall health!
, basil, and balsamic vinegar on a hot summer's day! Ingredients (serves a family):
1 lb of organic strawberries
(be sure to buy organic as strawberries are #1 on the dirty dozen list!)5 oz package of organic arugula
1/4 red onion, finely chopped
1/3 cup of sliced almonds, toasted
Fresh basil leaves, 1 cup, chopped
Dressing: Zest of 1 lemon and juice of 1/2 lemon, 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper
Toss together and enjoy!
Rajsree Nambudripad, MD