The Importance of Stomach Acid & Natural Remedies for Hypochlorhydria & Heartburn

“All Disease Begins in the Gut.” ~Hippocrates

Hydrochloric acid (HCl) plays an important role in digestion and absorption. You need HCL to activate enzymes that breakdown protein and for proper pH levels, bacterial balance and a healthy microbiome. Stomach acid helps to digest our food and kill off bad bacteria. HCL is also required for the assimilation of B12, folate, vitamin C, beta carotene, magnesium and many other important nutrients. Several minerals require an acidic environment for absorption, including magnesium, zinc, calcium and most B vitamins.

HCL is our body’s first line of defense against disease-causing microbes. The secretion of HCL by the stomach protects the body from pathogens and reduces risk of infections such as yeast, Candida, parasites, urinary-tract infections, and bacterial and viral infections. On the other hand, proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) actually shut down stomach acid and contribute to heartburn and other digestive difficulties.

Many people with low stomach acid, hypochlorhydria or no stomach acid, achlorhydria often complain of bloating, belching, a feeling of heaviness in the stomach after eating, or feeling full after eating only a small amount of food. Then, there are those with little or no stomach acid who experience absolutely no symptoms at all.

More often than not, those with leaky gut, digestion problems, acid reflux, heartburn or any type of gut dysfunction have LOW levels of hydrochloric acid (HCL). They also tend to have amino acid and mineral deficiencies.

HCL deficiency inhibits breakdown and digestion of the food you eat, thereby causing malnourishment and putrification of proteins. This causes numerous problems including inflammation, Candida, yeast and parasite infections, bacterial overgrown, dysbiosis, malabsorption, intestinal permeability, and many other health problems.

What causes Low HCL? The two main causes of HCL deficiency and poor digestion are the normal aging process and stressful lifestyles. Other reasons for low stomach acid include:

Poor food choice. The standard American diet (SAD) high in sugar, processed carbs, wheat, gluten, corn, soy, omega-6 fats, trans fats, artificial sweeteners, GMOs, processed junk food, frankenfoods
Antibiotic overuse
Drinking too much alcohol
NSAIDs, OTC and prescription drug use
Stressful lifestyles
H. pylori infection
The normal aging process
Hiatal hernia
Oral contraceptives
Use of antacids and proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs)
Vegetarian diets
Drinking liquids during mealtime, which reduces your natural production of HCL
Gastric bypass surgery
Eating too much too quickly
Zinc and thiamine deficiency result in an inability to produce hydrochloric acid. Production of hydrochloric acid is dependent on many factors, two of them being adequate levels of zinc and thiamine.

The older we get, the probability of hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid) or achlorhydria (no stomach acid) becomes more common than not. HCL deficiency is very common after age 50 and by age 65 many individuals are achlorhydric.

One of the reasons you see HCL need in older individuals is simply an inability to produce HCL due to reduced production of gastrin. According to one of my mentors, the brilliant Harry Eidenier, Jr., Ph.D., we produce less HCL as we age because the pituitary loses a certain amount of function and subsequently produces less gastrin, the hormone signal that advises your stomach to start HCL production.

Advertising suggests that heartburn and indigestion are caused by too much stomach acid. This is seldom, if ever the case. Actually it’s just the opposite, not enough stomach acid. It is unfortunate that many medical professionals fail to recognize how serious a health problem hypochlorhydria and achlorhydria are.

Common heartburn drugs and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are associated with intestinal bacterial infections, dysbiosis, C. difficile, vitamin B12, magnesium, calcium and vitamin D deficiencies, osteoporosis, and an increased risk of pneumonia, cognitive dysfunction, heart attack and heart problems. PPI's increase the risk of esophageal cancer by 340 percent! Clostridium bacterial infections are common with PPI use and often require heavy doses of antibiotics to eradicate the bug.

OTC antacids, proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) and commonly prescribed drugs for heartburn set the stage for later degenerative diseases by interfering with digestion and absorption of minerals, proteins and vitamins. These drugs neutralize stomach acid, reduce or block stomach acid production, cause nutrient deficiencies, bacterial imbalances and disrupt microbial diversity, which increases risk for opportunistic infections, numerous vitamin deficiencies and bone fractures – exactly what you don’t want.

Many commercial antacids contain toxic ingredients such as aluminum, artificial colors and sweeteners. “These chemicals disrupt digestion and alter the structure and function of stomach lining cells and cause side effects like headache, diarrhea and abdominal pain.” –Jonathan Wright, MD author of Why Stomach Acid is Good for You.

Common Symptoms Associated with Hypochlorhydria

Indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux
Gas, bloating or belching shortly after meals
Intestinal permeability (leaky gut)
Hair loss
Dandruff
Constipation or diarrhea
Weak, soft, brittle fingernails
Bad breath
Multiple food sensitivities
Hives, acne, dry skin
Abnormal flora (altered microbiome)
Loss of taste for meat
H. pylori, Candida, intestinal parasites, SIBO, UTIs, and other bacterial infections
No appetite for breakfast
Excessive fullness after meals
Nauseous after taking vitamins
Undigested food in stool
History of taking acid-blocking drugs
Stressful lifestyles
Zinc, iron, thiamine, B12 and other nutrient deficiencies

Over time, low stomach acid will lead to serious health consequences. If sub-optimal stomach acid is your problem, you can literally add years of better health to your life by addressing this issue.

Conditions Linked to Hypochlorhydria (Low stomach acid)

Asthma
Depression, anxiety and mood disorders
Hepatitis
Adrenal dysfunction
Thyroid dysfunction
Chronic hives, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema
Autoimmune disease
Gallbladder disease
Diabetes
Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoporosis
Stomach Cancer
Chronic headaches

Natural Remedies for Hypochlorhydria

A simple DIY remedy for hypochlorhydria is to take supplemental Betaine HCL with pepsin, not OTC antacids or Rx drugs such as “the purple pill.” Dosage will vary from person to person (see instructions for the HCL test below). Hydrochloric acid supplementation is often fundamental to breaking this cycle of chronic digestive insufficiency.
Another helpful DIY remedy is to take one to two teaspoons of Bragg’s raw, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar mixed with a small amount of water before meals. I like adding a pinch of cinnamon to the mix.
In addition to Betaine HCL with pepsin, digestive enzymes and probiotics are also highly beneficial.
Chew food thoroughly.
Sit down during mealtime. Eat in a relaxed environment without distractions. Turn off electronic devices.
Avoid drinking liquids with meals.
Drink a cup of water with the juice of a fresh lemon or lime upon rising and before meals. Add a pinch of Celtic sea salt or Himalayan salt to the mix. Salt helps increase HCL production.
More “Natural Remedies to Increase Stomach Acid & Optimize Digestion”

You can expect improved digestion, less bloating and better assimilation and breakdown of protein, amino acids, minerals, and other important nutrients with improved HCL status. As a bonus, your energy, strength, endurance, mood and sleep will also improve.

Note: Avoid HCL if you suspect you have an ulcer, gastritis or take PPIs, and instead use Gastrazyme, vitamin U (raw cabbage juice) and other nutrient components for digestion and healing the gut. NSAIDs and corticosteroids increase the chances of ulcers in the stomach and together with Betaine HCL increase the risk of gastritis.

Take the HCL TEST to determine your personal dose

► Note: Some individuals are so deficient in HCL that instead of the Digestzymes, HCL Plus or Hydrozyme using Betaine Plus HP is often more effective and certainly more economical. I will determine which option is ideal for you based on your unique biochemistry.

Always take IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MEAL. When doing the HCL test, the meal should always include animal protein (organic, pastured and grass-fed, of course!)
Eat half of the protein and start with one capsule with only the smallest amount of water. Finish the remainder of your meal. Be sure to thoroughly chew your food.
Notice when a “heat” or warming sensation develops in the upper abdomen. If you do not feel a warming sensation in your stomach, continue to take one capsule at the next meal and increase by one capsule after three days.

Still not experiencing a warming sensation? Allow three more days to pass and increase by another capsule. If you do not feel a warming sensation in your stomach, in 3 more days increase by another capsule.

EVERY third day, increase by one capsule per meal until you feel a warming sensation. Again, only with meals that contain animal protein. Once a warming sensation is felt, back off by one capsule. This will be your personal dose per meal. For instance, if you feel a warming sensation at 5 caps, your dose is 4 capsules per meal. Once you feel the warming sensation again at 4 capsules, reduce by one capsule again.

The initial optimum dosage may be quite high for some individuals and will decrease over time to a lower maintenance dosage. It’s important that you continue to be cognizant of the warming sensation and adjust dosing accordingly.

If sub-optimal levels of stomach acid is your problem, you can literally add years of better health to your life by addressing this problem. Proper digestion and absorption of food are fundamental requirements for optimal health, vitality, longevity and fat loss.

“When organs get older, they usually don’t work as well as they did when they were younger … we don’t run as fast at age 47 as we did at 27....why would our stomachs be any different?” ~Jonathan Wright, MD

► More Strategies to Increase Stomach Acid & Optimize Digestion

► Follow the 5-Step Formula for a Healthy Gut and Heal Leaky Gut

► Read more about the importance of hydrochloric acid and optimizing digestion in The Power of 4 and Fat Loss Revolution.

As a holistic nutritionist and functional health practitioner with over 25 years of healing men, women and their families from all over the world, my philosophy is to identify the root cause of any underlying health issues, slowly "peel away the layers of the onion," and design a healing protocol and comprehensive LIFESTYLE plan specific to your unique biochemistry so you can heal, experience vibrant health, and look, think and feel better than ever for a lifetime. I consult with men and women all over the U.S. and with clients locally in the Phoenix area. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation today!

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