Low Stomach Acid May Be Compromising Your Health
Our digestive tract is one of the key interfaces between the external environment and our blood stream. When the digestive tract is irritated and damaged it produces rampant inflammation and stress throughout the entire body. Supplementing to improve stomach acid production can dramatically improve digestion and overall health.
Poor digestion is more the rule than the exception in our society. Our culture doesn't prioritize the time and energy our digestive system to needs to optimally process the food we consume. We often eat multiple meals a day including very large meals with foods that do not digest well together. We eat on the go, deal with stressful activities while eating or shortly after and consume toxic irritants on a regular basis.
Good Digestion Begins In The Stomach:
Hydrochloric acid is necessary for creating an acidic environment in the stomach to digest protein and ionize minerals. This also helps to stimulate bile release from the gallbladder to effectively metabolize fat in the small intestine. Without these key functions working optimally we become at risk for anemia, thyroid problems, osteoporosis and auto-immunity.(1,2,3)
Low stomach acid in a very common problem especially in older individuals or those who have suffered from various infections like H. Pylori, been on antibiotics and other medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatories.(4,5,6). Low stomach acid sets the stage for damage to the delicate lining of the digestive tract and the formation of leaky gut syndrome.
Symptoms Associated With Low Stomach Acid:
Bloating • Belching • Flatulence (gas) • Heartburn • Indigestion • Diarrhea • Constipation
Acne • Chronic fatigue • Adrenal fatigue • Auto-immunity • Dry skin/Dandruff • Rectal itching • Candida
Hair loss in women • Iron/B12 Deficiency • Multiple food allergies and/or sensitivities • Week, peeling & cracked Fingernails
Possible Causes Of Low Stomach Acid:
Poor diet • Mineral deficiencies • Excess sugar and carbs • Processed foods • B vitamin deficiency
Chronic infections • Advanced age • Anti-acid usage • Heartburn medications • NSAID (Tylenol, aspirin, ibuprofen) Usage
Birth control pills • Chronic stress • Other digestive problems • Anti-biotic usage
Importance Of Healthy Stomach Acid
When you have low stomach acid you are unable to effectively break down protein in the stomach. This allows very large proteins to get into the small intestine and creates major stress on the pancreas to produce enough enzymes to metabolize the proteins. This ultimately wears out the pancreatic enzyme stores and creates stress and irritation throughout the gut. It also leads to insufficient absorption and utilization of key amino acids that make up the protein molecules. Large proteins and incomplete digestion can cause leaky gut syndrome and trigger auto-immune activity in different regions of the body. Improper protein digestion also leads to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, fuels Candida and other parasites. It also creates an acidic blood stream and depletes minerals throughout the body. Mineral depletion leads to the inability to form stomach acid and the vicious cycle continues.
Supplementing With Betaine HCL
To improve stomach acid production and protein digestion it is best to supplement with betaine HCL and the proteolytic enzyme pepsin. Pepsin is naturally produced in the stomach when there is enough stomach acid. Individuals with low stomach acid will not be able to produce the active form of this vital protein-digesting enzyme.
People with low stomach acid have irritated stomach and intestinal linings. Herbal bitters and carminatives help to support the stomach acid production process but also provide key nutrients to support the healing process of the entire digestive system. Herbal bitters include orange peel, ginger root, gentian root, peppermint leaf, goldenseal root, hops flower, cardamom seed, fennel seed, Oregon grape root, blessed thistle herb, cayenne pepper, burdock root and dandelion root.
Dr David Jockers is a Maximized Living doctor and owns and operates Exodus Health Center in Kennesaw, Georgia where he specializes in functional nutrition, functional medicine and corrective chiropractic care to get to the underlying cause of major health problems. His website features great articles on natural health and incredible recipes. He is the author of the best-selling book SuperCharge Your Brain - the complete guide to radically improve your mood, memory and mindset. He has over 42,000 active followers on his social media and email newsletter and is a big influencer in the Primal Health movement. Dr. Jockers is also available for long distance consultations and health coaching to help you beat disease and reach your health goals. For more information got to www.drjockers.com
Supplement With Acida Zyme from Progressive Laboratories
Your Internal Electrical System Helps Detect Stomach Acid And More
Digestin Digestive Enzymes from Progressive Laboratories
Digestin... Digestive Aid For Protein, Fat And Starch
Digestin™ is a two-phase digestive enzyme capsule that works in both the upper and lower digestive tract. Its exclusive enteric matrix formulation allows part of its enzymes to be released in the gastric phase and part in the enteric phase of digestion.
Contains Bile Powder - Supports fat digestion in the small intestine. Useful for people who have had their gall bladder removed. Supports the pancreas, gall bladder and liver in producing bile salts and helps digest fats.
Acida-Zyme HCI w/Pepsin from Progressive Laboratories
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Acida-Zyme Betaine HCI ... Digestive Aid With Pepsin
Acida-Zyme is a digestive aid containing betaine HCl for patients with insufficient stomach acid.
Taken with meals, Acida-Zyme particularly supports digestion of protein and fats.
Super Papaya Enzyme Plus
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An advanced, more powerful digestive aid, this 100% natural "after meal" supplement may be especially helpful when looking for a higher level of support. Each serving contains 15mg of delicious papaya fruit fortified with well-known enzymes, including papain, protease, amylase, and bromelain, which may help improve the absorption of food and protein digestion. Peppermint and chlorophyll have been added to refresh taste and sweeten breath.
Free Of: yeast, wheat, milk or milk derivatives, lactose, sugar, preservatives, soy, artificail color, artificial flavor.
contains sodium (less than 5mg per serving).
Directions: Adults, chew 3 tablets following meals, or dissolve 1 or 2 tablets in mouth when needed. Warning: If you are pregnant, nursing or taking medications, consult with your doctor before use.
Probiotic Broad Spectrum From Progressive Laboratories
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A specially developed probiotic formula featuring 10 high quality probiotic species, for a total of about 10 Billion CFU (colony forming units) per caplet. This product also features the patented BIO-tract® delivery system that protects the live organisms from gastric acid to ensure their delivery into the intestines. This formula also contains fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) which are added to provide food for bacterial proliferation. The best part is ... No Refrigeration is Required!! Simply keep this product in a cool, dry place for best storage.
Bio-tract®'s exclusive gel matrix technology allows for a gel protective layer to continuously form and erode around the tablet; releasing probiotic organisms as it travels through the digestive tract providing controlled delivery and ensuring the organisms remain active at consistent levels throughout the day. You can count on Probiotic Broad Spectrum to deliver the highest level of all day digestive, intestinal and immune support essential for healthy digestion, natural regularity, intestinal function and immune health.
DGL Complex From Progressive Laboratories
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DGL, or deglycyrrhizinated licorice root, heals stomach ulcers, promotes healthy digestion, and alleviates GERD, which is so prevalent in today’s society. And it does all this without interfering with cortisol levels. DGL is powerful because it doesn’t just relieve symptoms, it heals the digestive tract.
The natural ingredients in DGL Complex from Progressive Laboratories supports the ability of the gastric lining to protect and repair itself without upsetting the acidic environment of the stomach.
Take one capsule three times daily, or more, as directed by a health care professional.