Are gas, bloating, and tummy troubles the norm for you? If so, stomach acid imbalance could be the culprit.
❤️Stomach Acid 101: What is it?
Are gas, bloating, and tummy troubles the norm for you? If so, stomach acid imbalance could be the culprit.
Stomach acid (aka gastric acid) is a liquid your stomach lining produces. It’s made of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and digestive enzymes.
Stomach acid helps you digest food, absorb nutrients, and kills harmful bacteria.
Your body needs the right balance of stomach acid to work properly. Too much, or too little, can pose problems.
It’s normal for stomach acid levels to fluctuate from time to time. But if they stay chronically low or high, symptoms may pop up.
❤️High Stomach Acid
Hormone imbalance: Gastrin is a hormone that tells your body to secrete stomach acid. This means when gastrin gets too high, so does your stomach acid.
H pylori: Low stomach acid is most common with this infection. But for some people, H pylori increases stomach acid.
H2 blocker rebound: H2 blockers are drugs that reduce the secretion of stomach acid. For some people, going off these meds may cause stomach acid to increase.
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: This rare condition causes tumors to form in the stomach and small intestine. These tumors make gastrin, which can lead to high stomach
acid levels.
Kidney failure: Patients with kidney failure tend to have elevated levels of gastrin. Once kidney function is restored through dialysis or kidney transplant, gastrin levels return to normal.
High stomach acid can increase the risk of other health issues like:
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): This disorder causes stomach acid to back up into the esophagus.
Peptic ulcers: If gastric acid eats away at the stomach lining, it can cause peptic ulcers to form.
Gastrointestinal bleeding: Too much stomach acid can damage the lining of the stomach and esophagus and lead to bleeding.
❤️Stomach Acid & Diet
✅Eat protein first. If your stomach acid is low, try eating protein first. Protein stimulates the production of gastrin, a hormone that tells your stomach to secret gastric acid.
✅Pick smaller portions. Large meals can overwhelm your digestive system. Plus, eating too much at one time can make your stomach expand, which can increase the risk of acid reflux.
✅Chew, chew, chew. Digestion starts in the mouth...not the stomach. The more you chew your food, the better your digestion will be. Aim to chew each bite until it’s the consistency of applesauce.
✅Limit liquids during meals. Drinking too many liquids with meals can weaken digestion and lead to bloating or acid reflux. Try to limit liquids until about 30 minutes after your meals.
✅Try fermented foods. Fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, and kombucha give you a dose of friendly bacteria that can help keep harmful bacteria like H pylori in check.
✅Avoid processed foods. Sugary and highly refined foods create inflammation in your stomach lining and throw off acid production.
❤️Low Stomach Acid
Here are a few things that can lead to low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria):
Stress: Stress decreases stomach acid production. So if you’re stressed non-stop, your stomach acid levels will suffer.
Age: As you get older, your stomach makes less gastric acid. This is especially true if you’re over 65.
Poor diet: If your diet is low on certain nutrients, like zinc, iron, or B vitamins, your stomach will have a harder time making gastric acid.
Meditations: If you take certain meds, like antacids and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for a long time, it can cause your stomach to make less acid.
H pylori: This bacterial infection attacks your stomach lining. This can lead to ulcers and reduce stomach acid production.
Surgery: Gastric bypass surgery reduces the size of your stomach. Unfortunately, this can reduce stomach acid too.
❤️Low stomach acid is linked with many health conditions including:
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
Acne, eczema, & psoriasis
Asthma
Thyroid issues
Osteoporosis
Autoimmune conditions
Anemia
Gastritis
❤️The Best Supplements for Healthy Stomach Acid
HCL With Pepsin
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
Zinc
Ginger
For my detailed guide to Stomach Acid, what it does, why it's important and how to keep your stomach acid in balance contact me directly: https://www.coachtheah.com/contact
Disclaimer: This is not designed for the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of diseases, and it should not be considered a substitute for seeking medical treatment or professional guidance. Before initiating any nutrition or physical activity program, it is essential to consult with your physician. The reader assumes sole responsibility for using this program, and the author bears no responsibility or liability for any harm or injury that may arise from the application of the information provided.
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