Guest guest Posted September 13, 2000 Report Share Posted September 13, 2000 http://powerhealth.net/selected_articles.htm Correcting Hypochloridia: Low Stomach Acid C. Byrnes, N.D., RNCP HOW DO YOU SPELL RELIEF? One might think from watching TV commercials these days that North Americans are drowning in a pool of stomach acid. Despite the plethora of advertisements touting the benefits of various antacid preparations for " excess acid " and/or " acid indigestion, " hypochloridia, or low stomach acid, is a very common problem with possible serious consequences. While the stomach secretes hydrochloric acid (HCL) along with the enzyme pepsin to begin the digestion of proteins, HCL has many other functions in the digestion of food and the maintenance of good health: Nature did not give the stomach the ability to secrete and concentrate one of the strongest acids known for nothing! Needless to say, it would behoove each and every person to learn the telltale signs of hypochloridia and how to correct the problem using safe, natural methods. WHO IT AFFECTS While it does not affect every one of them, hypochloridia is widely found among the elderly for, as the body ages, the stomach, indeed the entire digestive tract, in general loses its overall effectiveness and secretes less and less acid. This under secretion of HCL is matched by a corresponding lowered secretion of digestive enzymes by the pancreas. These two disturbing factors directly contribute to several major problems that the elderly face including malnutrition. Without proper digestion of food, the nutrients within it cannot be properly utilized by the body. One should not get the impression that hypochloridia only affects the elderly, however, as the condition has been found in people of all ages, including children. THE TELLTALE SIGNS According to , M.D., and author of the best-selling Dr. 's Guide to Healing with Nutrition (Keats Publishing; 1984) the telltale signs of hypochloridia are: (1) bloating, belching, or burning immediately after meals; (2) a feeling that one is full after eating only a small amount of food; (3) a feeling that food just eaten is " sitting " or " staying " in the stomach and not being digested; (4) lackluster hair; (5) hair loss; (6) papery thin fingernails; and (7) dilation of capillaries on the cheeks and/or nose in a nonalcoholic. It should be remembered that these signs do not always appear in an afflicted person and that one may not have all of the signs present either. The fact that burning and " heavy " feelings in the stomach after eating are hypochloridic symptoms could mislead many people into thinking that they have " acid indigestion " and that they need to take an antacid preparation. While hyperacidity, or too much acid, is a possibility (as is a peptic ulcer), it is a remote one and taking an antacid is probably the worst thing to do! If the ultimate cause of the burning sensation is a low HCL level, ingesting a substance which alkalizes the stomach, which reduces stomach acid more, will only hinder proper digestion even more and may, ultimately, lead to an even greater burning sensation. On top of this, most people do not realize that the stomach is supposed to have acid in it; taking an antacid simply cues the stomach to manufacture more HCL to reverse the sudden alkaline environment. So, in the end, antacids are really not a solution and, since they ultimately prompt the stomach to make more HCL, defeat their own purpose. AILMENTS There are several adverse health conditions that are either directly caused or aggravated by hypochloridia again emphasizing the need to correct the condition: (1) Poor mineral absorption, especially of iron and calcium, which can lead to or aggravate osteoporosis, osteomalacia, anemia, and general debility as minerals are greatly needed by the body. (2) Intestinal parasites which can severely damage the body due to their interference with bodily functions. The HCL in the stomach is your first line of defense against various foreign " critters " including parasites and their eggs and various bacteria. With an insufficient amount of HCL, however, one is more susceptible to parasitic infestation and debilitating bacterial conditions like giardia and amebic dysentery. (3) Vitamin B12 deficiency which can result in pernicious anemia, a potentially life threatening condition if not corrected, and certain types of senility as vitamin B12 is greatly involved in the nervous system. Vitamin B12 requires HCL and a substance known as " intrinsic factor " for proper absorption. Both of these are only found in the stomach hence the need for HCL in preventing this vitamin's deficiency. (4) Candidiasis, or a systemic yeast infection, is also a possibility and, in some instances, a direct cause of low HCL. While traditional allopathic medicine regards candidiasis as a localized fungal infection, natural and alternative therapists have long known that the condition is systemic and that external manifestations are merely reflections of an internal overgrowth of candida albicans, a yeast which resides in the intestines. Candida colonies have been found in the stomachs of hypochloridics as an alkaline environment favors candida growth while an acidic one inhibits it. Yeast overgrowth usually occurs after prolonged antibiotic or oral contraceptive use which unfavorably alters the body's chemistry and ratio of " good " intestinal bacteria, acidophilus and bifido, to candida yeast. Without sufficient bacteria to check candida's growth, candida can multiply freely and interfere with digestion to a point where malabsorption of nutrients occurs due to interference with pancreatic and stomach secretions. Candida overgrowth can also lead to a number of other symptoms such as depression, hypoglycemia, mood swings, and allergies among many others. (5) Poor protein digestion which can result in protein deficiency. While the pancreas assists in the job, the stomach is the main site for protein digestion by HCL, the enzyme pepsin, and the peristaltic motion of the stomach itself. If proteins are not broken down sufficiently in the stomach, they either pass out of the body in the feces or are " force absorbed " in the small intestines. These " macromolecules " can generate allergic responses from the immune system. Some researchers believe that food allergies contribute to the occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis. Needless to say, poor protein digestion can lead to protein deficiency which hinders immunity, slows wound healing and tissue repair, and can lead to loss of lean muscle mass as the body must get its protein from somewhere in order to function. If it does not get it from food, it will begin to break down its own tissues essentially feeding off of itself. Other conditions associated with hypochloridia are diabetes mellitus, hypo and hyperthyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, hives (due to allergic reactions to undigested food), vitiligo, childhood asthma, and weakened adrenals leading to poor stress response. As we all know, stress is a major factor in contributing to ill health. While these conditions are associated with low HCL levels, one should remember that these ailments can also have other causes not related to hypochloridia and, if present, one should consult one's health care professional for proper determination of the cause. DETERMINING & CORRECTING IT Besides the physical signs mentioned before, there exist a couple of ways to determine if hypochloridia is present. These tests can be carried out by your health care practitioner if you suspect the condition. The first is a hair mineral analysis with a search for deficient minerals. As stated before, low HCL hinders mineral absorption by the body and hair analysis measures the amounts of minerals, both macro and trace, in the body. If 5 or more minerals are deficient, HCL is likely to be low. Another test involves a chemical analysis of one's stool with a search for undigested proteins. The most reliable method, however, is through a process called radiotelemetry employing the use of a Heidelberg capsule. In this test the capsule, really a radio transmitter, is swallowed and, when it arrives in the stomach, it sends back information about the stomach's pH. This allows the practitioner to assess your situation and needs. Correcting hypochloridia is a relatively simple matter as a number of options are available. Let's look at them, and their attendant risks, now. HCL Supplements: Readily available at health food stores and some pharmacies, HCL tablets can easily supply a deficient stomach with what it needs but caution is needed. Too much supplementation can cause an ulcer so one must pay close attention to the dosage. HCL supplements are not to be used if a peptic ulcer is present. Nor are they to be used in combination with certain drugs which are hard on the stomach, e.g., aspirin. If one's HCL needs are small, one can usually get by with combination digestive enzyme/HCL supplement as they usually contain a relatively low amount of HCL. Your other options are to experiment with them until you find an amount that works best for you (proceed with caution!) or have your health care professional do some tests to determine what amount of HCL is needed by your body. Lemon juice or apple cider vinegar: Simply taking 1 tablespoon of either of these acidic substances just before eating (dilute with a little water) is often enough to correct the problem. Besides the taste, there are no risks with this method. Bitter herbs: The bitter herbs have long been used to rectify poor digestion for the chemical principles in these herbs stimulate gastric and bile secretions quite effectively. Good choices would be German chamomile (avoid if allergic to ragweed), chicory, peppermint, angelica, yarrow, goldenseal, and wormwood (avoid these last two if pregnant and do not overuse them). These herbs may be drunk as teas about 15 minutes before eating or taken as tinctures (10-15 drops) in a little water. Bear in mind, however, that several of these herbs are extremely bitter tasting, e.g., wormwood, so tinctures are advisable. Final considerations to optimize digestion would be (A) to not take any liquids with meals or within an hour after eating (except to lightly wet the mouth) as liquids only dilute the stomach's acid more and ( to pay attention to proper food combining. While whole books have been written on food combining, the basic rules to follow for peak digestion are simple and straightforward: always eat your carbohydrates and starches after you've eaten your proteins. In other words, always eat your proteins first in your meal, starches second, and vegetables, including salad, with both of these. Consuming carbohydrates first, followed by proteins, loads the stomach up with food that does not require HCL for digestion and makes it harder on the stomach to digest proteins as it has to play " catch up " with its HCL and pepsin secretions. Fruits are best eaten between meals. GOOD DIGESTION = GOOD HEALTH It is a basic principle of naturopathy that good health revolves around the digestive system for, without proper utilization of nutrients from wholesome food, good health cannot occur. Making sure to maximize its digestion by taking care to maintain stomach acidity, thereby insuring good protein and mineral absorption, is the best preventive health care that each of us can take. The old adage is right on target: we ARE what we EAT. SOURCES: Dr. 's Guide to Healing with Nutrition by J. , M.D., (Keats Publishing; 1984); How to Get Well Prescription for Nutritional Healing by and Phyllis Balch (Avery Publishing; 1996). " Correcting Hypochloridia, " first appeared in Vitality Magazine, September 1997. Copyright 1997 by Byrnes. All rights reserved. © Copyright Power Health 2000, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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