3 reasons you NEED stomach acid!
DITCH THE ANTACIDS!
Why Stomach Acid Is Essential for Digestive Health
Having adequate amounts of stomach acid is crucial for not only your digestion but overall health. Many people experiencing bloating, reflux, or indigestion actually suffer from low stomach acid rather than too much.
3 Main Functions of Stomach Acid
Sterilize Food
One of the many side effects of most popular antacids is a C-diff infection. This occurs because the stomach is not acidic enough to kill off that bacteria. This can happen with so many other opportunistic bacteria, yeast, or parasites which can be catastrophic for your health.
Proper stomach acid acts as your body’s first line of defense against harmful pathogens and supports overall gut health.
Breakdown of Food, Especially Proteins
Your stomach is the second major step in digestion. This is where the acid SHOULD break down the proteins you eat well enough so that when the food gets to your small intestines it can absorb nutrients without an issue. Undigested food can also lead to food allergies. Check out our blog on Leaky Gut.
Without sufficient hydrochloric acid, protein digestion becomes impaired, increasing inflammation and digestive stress throughout the gut.
Production of Intrinsic Factor
When your body is signaled to release stomach acid it is also signaled to release intrinsic factor via the parietal cells. Intrinsic factor is needed to absorb B12. So if you have decreased stomach acid and decreased intrinsic factor it can lead to B12 deficiencies.
Low stomach acid can contribute to fatigue, brain fog, and nerve issues due to poor vitamin B12 absorption.