Stomach Acid 101

Stomach acid is an essential component to the digestive process. Unfortunately, the general feeling toward stomach acid is misguided. I myself was in that camp once upon a time, but after learning about all the important roles stomach acid plays, I found myself trying to support the production of stomach in any way that I could.

The roles of stomach acid

Stomach Acid is Hydrochloric Acid, commonly referred to as HCL; combined with enzymes and other digestive constituents you have what is referred to as your “gastric juices.” Gastrin is the hormone that is responsible for ramping up digestion, by signaling various organs to prepare to secrete their enzymes, hormones and HCL. Sufficient stomach acid is essential to killing any pathogens (bacteria, parasites & toxins) that may enter through the digestive tract. The correct acidity level in the stomach helps to maintain a thick mucus wall; which protects the body from acid leaks (ulcers) and it contains the constituents necessary for the absorption and transport of vitamin B12. Proper HCL signals the gallbladder to release bile into the small intestines, which assists with the mechanical processing of the macro nutrient: fat.

What’s going on in there?

The functions listed in this section are what SHOULD be happening in a well functioning system.

To take it back to the beginning of digestion, we actually consider the brain! Digestion starts with the Cephalic phase, when then brain understands that food is approaching, it begins a series of communication using nerves, neurotransmitters and hormones to begin to prepare the body for digestion. The Vagus nerve runs from the back of your head and neck, and branches out and down to communicate with every organ within the digestive system and MORE. The neurotransmitter Acetylcholine prompts the release of HCL as does the hormone Gastrin. Things that stimulate the gastric phase are the smell of food (think about how you can smell Cinn-a-bon from a mile away and instantly feel ravenous), the act of preparing your food by letting your mind build the anticipation towards eating your meal and even having a pre-meal ritual like a prayer or blessing can be a major kick start to the cephalic phase of digestion.

As you begin to eat, enzymes are released in the mouth, stomach and small intestines when the food reaches each stop. Chewing is a great way to support the digestion by means of more sufficient mechanical processing. Mechanical processing refers to the mashing, chopping, shearing and tearing action the make the food pieces physically smaller, creating more surface area for the enzymes to do their chemical processing. Chemical processing refers to the enzymes, HCL and bile that help to break down food molecules for absorption, disassembling the proteins into peptides, then amino acids, carbohydrates into glucose and fats into fatty acids. Without proper mechanical and chemical processing, our bodies may not be able to properly utilize the nutrients we are feeding it.

The first role of HCL is that we are relying on the ultra-acidic environment to kill any food borne pathogens that may have entered the body with our last snack or meal. The desired pH of the stomach should be between 1.5 and 1.7 pH. This is a radical difference in pH compared to the other areas of the body. If the acid level is insufficient, you may find yourself with more instances of external invaders wreaking havoc on your system(s).

The second major role the HCL plays in helping to maintain the mucus wall of the stomach. The mucus wall protects the rest of our body from the highly acidic gastric juices that can only be tolerated by the stomach. Without a sufficient mucus lining, the acidic environment can deteriorate the wall of the stomach, leaking acid into the body, a symptom commonly known as Ulcers. Furthermore, the mucus wall contains constituents that are essential to the uptake of Vitamin B12. HCL and Pepsin (the enzyme that breaks down protein) cleave the B12 from the protein molecule and pair it with intristic factor (which is excreted by the mucus wall). As the molecules move into the small intestine, the B12 needs the intristic factor to act as a pass to transport from inside the small intestine to the outside, for absorption and uptake. Without he intristic factor, the B12 is not recognized and therefore is not transported for use in the body.

Iron absorption relies heavily on HCL because the HCL dissolves the ferric salts; essentially the HCL converts the iron into a form that can be absorbed by the body.

Finally, as the food moves out of the stomach and into the small intestine, the acidity of the chyme (food + gastric juices, including HCL) signals a hormone called Cholecystokinin, referred to as CCK, which tells the gallbladder to release Bile into the small intestine. Bile works to mechanically process fats in the small intestine, so that the enzyme lipase can come in and chemically process the fats into fatty acids, eventually making them water soluble substance that can be transported into the bloodstream. If there is not sufficient stomach acid present in the chyme, the bile will not be released allowing for 2 potential risk factors: 1. The fat isn’t being broken down for absorption, making digestion more difficult and missing out on nutrients. 2. The bile isn’t flowing; as the stagnant bile sits in the gallbladder, it becomes more concentrated, increasing the risk of gallbladder attacks and stones.

As you begin to understand the role that stomach acid plays in overall nutrient absorption and optimal function of the body, can you can start to see how even with mindfulness about your food intake, you may still be missing out on nutrients and experiencing unnerving symptoms?

Dispelling the misconception

It’s interesting as I begin to have conversations regarding food and wellness with friends, family and clients, anytime the topic of stomach acid comes around there seems to be a general energetic shift, many people seem to feel as though stomach acid is the enemy, and I am always excited for the opportunity to educate and share. I mean, after reading about all the actions above, I think we can all agree that it has gotten a bad rap and I want to share some information about WHY.

In allopathic medicine (traditional American health care) things like heartburn & indigestion are attributed to and unfairly blamed on an overproduction of stomach acid. Typically in allopathic medicine, x = y, meaning x symptom = y diagnosis/treatment. Consider: x (heartburn) = y (Prescription for a PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitor ie: Zantac, Prilosec or Nexium etc)). PPI’s are designed to deplete stomach acid production which does in fact suppress the symptoms but also exacerbates the problem. Heartburn (outside of pregnancy) is not an issue of overactive stomach acid, but an issue of the volition of the LES (lower esophageal sphincter). Let me use an analogy to explain:

Envision a party with a bouncer at the door. If this party is hopping, full of people, that bouncer is on their A game. That bouncer is standing guard, making sure that people are acting appropriately. Then consider the bouncer a the door of a party that is NOT hopping, with very few people inside, that bouncer is likely going to slack off, take it easy, maybe even fall asleep on the job.

Now let’s reframe this analogy: The party is thee stomach, the people are the stomach acid, and the bouncer is the lower esophageal sphincter. When there is NOT sufficient stomach acid, the LES becomes lackadaisical, allowing the food particulates and what stomach acid you DO have, come up into the esophagus resulting in heartburn. Is the stomach acid to blame here? Not in the slightest. How do we kick that LES back into gear? Invite more people to the party: support stomach acid production.

Some other examples of x = y that dont honor the root cause of insufficient stomach acid are anemia and gallbladder attacks. Often times x (anemia) = y (increase Iron dietarily and/or supplementation) however often times this makes the person feel the discomforts of indigestion and constipation, while not increasing the amount the body can absorb. Another example is gall bladder attacks; 700,000 people undergo gallbladder removal surgery according to the American College for Surgeons. Often times, mild to moderate gallbladder issues can be resolved with some investigation into routes cause(s) and some guided diet modifications, including the support of stomach acid.

There are many instances where supporting stomach acid production can be the treatment for the root cause of many downstream signs and symptoms. Symptoms that MAY indicate insufficient stomach acid include bad breath, lack of appetite and/or desire to skip meals, unexplained hunger, heartburn, belching or excess gas, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, feelings of excessive fullness, stomach upset when taking vitamins, food sensitivities, bloating in the lower abdomen, bacterial/fungal overgrowth, increase in parasites, sleepiness after meals, rectal itching, diarrhea and/or undigested food in the stool, fatigue, lack of energy, sweat with a strong odor, weak hair, skin or nails, yeast infections and even anemia. These things can develop into more severe conditions like asthma, anemia, allergies, autoimmune issues like lupus, psoriasis and RA, chronic candida, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic hives, dry skin, eczema, gallbladder issues, GI infections, parasites, hypoglycemia, osteoporosis, vascular degeneration and thyroid disorders.

Low HCL production is referred to as Hypochlorhydria, the absence of HCL production is called achlorhydria.

Support for Stomach Acid Production

If you have concerns about your stomach acid production, or you are experiencing some of the signs & symptoms mentioned above, I suggest you explore those concerns with a functional practitioner who can identify the instigators and advise & support you through improving your stomach acid production.

One simple way to support stomach acid production that you may like to experiment with is drinking a 6-8 oz glass of water with 1 Tablespoon of an acid, like Lemon Juice or Apple Cider Vinegar about 30 minutes prior to eating. Check in with yourself throughout and make mental or physical notes about how you feel before, during and after your meal. You can try doing this before each meal for a few days and see if you notice any changes in how you feel. If you experience a burning sensation, seek the guidance of a professional to help guide you through other approaches.
I also advise limiting fluid intake during your meals. Limiting your fluid intake 30 minutes before and after a meal and only consuming about 2-4 oz per meal, just to sip as needed to chew and swallow thoroughly is a great practice. This helps to maintain the correct concentration of the HCL.

Taking a probiotic can also helps support the gut is also a great step for most individuals, but if you are unsure please consult a professional.

Posted: March 21st 2022