Functions of your stomach acid digestion

• The stomach acid destroys pathogenic bacteria and yeasts.

• Stomach acid helps protein digestion by activating the protein digesting enzyme pepsin.  The acid also helps to unravel the proteins so the enzyme can work.

• Stomach acid enables vitamin B12 to be absorbed.  Long term deficiency of vitamin B12 includes memory loss, disorientation, hallucinations and tingling in the arms and legs.

• Stomach acid takes up B12 from food and helps to activate intrinsic factor required to enable B12 to be absorbed.

• Stomach acid is crucial for Ionization of minerals like iron, zinc, calcium and magnesium and this process is necessary for their absorption.  Long term mineral deficiency can affect bone health, red blood cell production, energy etc.

• Stomach acid helps to close off the lower oesophageal sphincter, so acid does not enter the oesophagus.

It is more common for acid to be too low that too high.  However, too high is possible. Acid reflux can cause people to think they are over producing stomach acid, but acid reflux is due to a weak lower oesophageal sphincter.  This can be very painful as the oesophagus cannot cope with a PH lower than 6. If this is the case, try and avoid trigger foods such as fatty foods, caffeine, chocolate, and alcohol.

Signs and symptoms of low stomach acid

• Bloating and flatulence within one or two hours of meals.

• Difficulty digesting meat.

• Indigestion, constipation, or diarrhoea

• Peeling and cracked fingernails

• Foul smelling stools

If it is too low, it may be slowing down your digestion and present as constipation. One of the roles of stomach acid to kill pathogenic bacteria.  If this is not happening the bacteria may move into the small intestine and cause diarrhoea. A classic presentation of low acid is if eating meat is difficult and it just sits there undigested because your stomach is unable to break it down. It can also cause nausea and belching.  The food will be churned around by the stomach, but it will sit in the stomach and ferment due to the low stomach acid. This may cause bloating and belching about one to two hours after you have eaten. To find out if low stomach acid may be the problem try squeezing a lemon juice into a cup and drink it with a little bit of water.  If you feel relieved from this, then your stomach acid is likely to be too low.

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

PPIs include Omeprazole or Lansoprazole.  Their function is to lower acid production by blocking the production of the hydrogen part of HCL acid in the stomach.  They can block symptoms but unfortunately, they are not treating the root cause and may have negative long-term effect.

Actions to help improve stomach acid production

• Ensure you are hungry before your meal.  This will stimulate stomach acid production.

• Try 2 tsp of apple cider vinegar (with the mother) with approx. 750 ml of water before meals. Good brands include ‘Braggs,Willys, Biona)

• Zinc rich foods (shellfish, nuts, and seeds)

• Vitamin B6 rich foods (fish, beef liver, chickpeas)