Gut health

Boosting your stomach acid could improve your Gut Health

Category: Gut health

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What is low stomach acid?

Stomach acid facilitates protein digestion and the absorption of iron, calcium and vitamin B1; and prevents bacterial overgrowth. Low levels of stomach acid (hypochlorhydria) can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies (e.g. vitamin B12, iron, calcium and magnesium)1, and increased risk of food allergies2 and small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)3.

How to test your stomach acid at home?

  1. Take one 500mg capsule of betaine HCl before a protein-containing meal (when you are most hungry and therefore when your stomach acid is highest)
  2. You have sufficient stomach acid if you experience a tingling, burning sensation similar to heartburn. Re-test this a few times to confirm. Any feeling of discomfort can be neutralized with one tsp baking soda with water or milk.
  3. If there is no tingling/burning sensation, take two capsules with each meal.
  4. Increase the number of capsules every two days up to a maximum of five capsules with each meal if necessary; and for a maximum of one week.
  5. When you experience the tingling/burning sensation, this indicates an excessive dose, and your level of HCl deficiency.
  6. If HCl deficiency is found, it may be useful to supplement with betaine HCl to maximize absorption of nutrients. Smaller meals may require less HCl, so the number of capsules should be reduced accordingly. Supplementation should be administered under the guidance of qualified nutritionist. 

What can cause it?

  • Antacids and anti-ulcer medications4
  • Advanced age4
  • Helicobacter pylori bacteria infection5
  • Stress6

Common symptoms

  • Acid reflux7
  • Bloating7
  • Indigestion7
  • Nausea and belching7 (especially after meals)
  • Constipation8
  • Diarrhoea8
  • SIBO3

The Gutology Podcast

Learn more about your stomach acid in Episode 5 

Boosting your stomach acid

There are several ways you can improve your stomach acid:

  • Mindful eating and chewing9
  • Manage chronic stress6
  • Traditional remedies such as apple cider vinegar, and bitter, aromatic and pungent plants (i.e. ginger, peppermint, aniseed and fennel, citrus fruits, dandelion and artichoke) can also be useful to support digestion.11 Our digestive bitters supplement is an ideal way to use bitter foods to encourage stomach acid production.
  • Betaine HCl supplements.10 

If you're looking to optimise your gut health, digestive enzymes or digestive bitters can be a great way to improve digestion. Here's 10% off our Digest Enzymes & Bitters to help you on your way. Use CODE: blog at checkout. 

  1. Ito T, Jensen RT. (2010). Association of long-term proton pump inhibitor therapy with bone fractures and effects on absorption of calcium, vitamin B12, iron, and magnesium. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 12(6):448– 457.
  2. Pali-Schöll, I., Herzog, R., Wallmann, J., Szalai, K., Brunner, R., Lukschal, A., ... Jensen-Jarolim, E. (2010). Antacids and dietary supplements with an influence on the gastric pH increase the risk for food sensitization. Clinical and experimental allergy: journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 40(7), 1091–1098. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2222.2010.03468.x
  3. Dukowicz AC, Lacy BE, Levine GM. (2007). Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: A comprehensive review Gastroenterol Hepatol. ;3(2):112–122.
  4. Dalziel, G., Dean, B.J., Dresser, M.J., Frymoyer, A., Holden, S.N., Jin, J.Y., Ware, J.A. and Benet, L.Z., Genentech Inc, (2013). Treatment of pharmacological-induced hypochlorhydria. U.S. Patent Application 13/650,274.
  5. Lahner, E., Annibale, B. and Delle Fave, G., (2009). Systematic review: Heliocobacter pylori infection and impaired drug absorption. Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics, 29(4), pp.379-386.
  6. Esplugues, J. V., Barrachina, M. D., Beltrán, B., Calatayud, S., Whittle, B. J., & Moncada, S. (1996). Inhibition of gastric acid secretion by stress: a protective reflex mediated by cerebral nitric oxide. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 93(25), 14839–14844.
  7. Ramsey, E.J., Carey, K.V., Peterson, W.L., Jackson, J.J., Murphy, F.K., Read, N.W., Taylor, K.B., Trier, J.S. and Fordtran, J.S., (1979). Epidemic gastritis with hypochlorhydria. Gastroenterology, 76(6), pp.1449- 1457.
  8. Schubert, M.L. and Peura, D.A., (2008). Control of gastric acid secretion in health and disease. Gastroenterology, 134(7), pp.1842-1860.
  9. Zafra, M.A., Molina, F. and Puerto, A., (2006). The neural/cephalic phase reflexes in the physiology of nutrition. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 30(7), pp.1032-1044.
  10. Yago, M. R., Frymoyer, A. R., Smelick, G. S., Frassetto, L. A., Budha, N. R., Dresser, M. J., ... Benet, L. Z. (2013). Gastric reacidification with betaine HCl in healthy volunteers with rabeprazole-induced hypochlorhydria. Molecular pharmaceutics, 10(11), 4032–4037. doi:10.1021/mp4003738
  11. Valussi, M., (2012). Functional foods with digestion-enhancing properties. International journal of food sciences and nutrition, 63(sup1), pp.82-89.
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