The Importance of Stomach Acid
Stomach acid gets a bad name these days- after all, it causes heartburn, right? Well it does….but not in the way you’re thinking. Don’t get me wrong, heartburn or acid reflux can in some cases be caused by excess production of stomach acid, but it also can be caused by low levels of stomach acid.
Heart burn primarily occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (which separates the bottom of the esophagus from the top of the stomach) remains open, allowing acid to flow back into the esophagus. When stomach acid production is insufficient, food isn’t broken down properly in the stomach. This increases abdominal pressure and the lower esophageal sphincter remain open, and (you guessed it!) stomach acid can flow into the esophagus.
Insufficient stomach acid production can lead to issues besides heartburn. Stomach acid is key for proper digestion. It’s responsible for breaking down protein, ensuring proper absorption of vitamins and minerals, and preventing food-born infections.
The amazing thing about digestion is that it is a top-down process, so every step directly affects the following steps. A highly acidic environment in the stomach is necessary for a healthy digestive tract overall, and without proper stomach acid, problems can arise in the small or large intestine, like SIBO, gut infections, or food sensitivities.
Low stomach acid can be caused by:
Stress
Age
Long-term use of antacids or PPIs
H.Pylori
Smoking
Regular alcohol intake
Following a vegetarian diet
So the real question is: what can you do to create a more acidic environment for proper digestion in the stomach? Well the first step is to address the root cause, whatever that may be for you. That’s often not a small task and takes time, but the good news is that there are ways to aid digestion in the meantime. Some of my favorite ways to increase acid in the stomach are:
Consuming 1-2 T. of apple cider vinegar with meals
Taking a Betaine HCl supplement with meals
Using digestive bitters before eating
If you’ve dealt with heartburn, bloating, or other digestive issues, it’s worth investigating the true cause behind your symptoms. You might be surprised!
References:
Kines, K. & Krupczak, T. (2016). Nutritional Interventions for Gastroesophageal Reflux, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Hypochlorhydria: A Case Report. Integr Med (Encinitas), 15(4), 49-53. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4991651/