There was an ad on the TV last night that got me thinking about digestion and specifically about stomach acid, because by watching the ad (which was for an antacid pill) you would be forgiven for thinking that stomach acid is a Bad Thing and that we should all take these magic pills to reduce it. The truth is actually far from that – stomach acid regularly saves our lives by destroying bad bacteria and so it is one of the first lines of defence you have. It is also essential for digesting proteins and breaking them down into amino acids (which as we were all told in primary biology are the ‘building blocks of the body’) and absorbing many vitamins and minerals. And not only that, but many studies now prove that most people actually have too little stomach acid which causes digestive problems ranging from heartburn and reflux – exactly the same symptoms that people take antacids for!
Your stomach is an amazing organ. Its innermost lining is completely replaced every day. It produces hydrochloric acid (HCl) to break down protein and sterilize food against bad bacteria. The acid is so strong, if you were to extract it from your stomach and place it on your arm, it would burn a hole through your skin. Luckily it is kept in place, when all is going right, and left alone to do its invaluable job. However, as we age, our bodies produce less digestive enzymes and less stomach acid. Also a lack of stomach acid can be caused by chewing too quickly, overeating and feeling stress during a meal, as well as smoking and certain medications.
Anyone who has suffered reflux (food and acid coming back up the oesophagus), heartburn or gas and bloating has most likely taken a pill that suppresses stomach acid (Rennies are the most popular). Antacids temporarily reduce the symptoms of acid reflux, which makes you feel more comfortable. But often you have to take more and more to keep on getting the same effect if you use them for more than 2 weeks. And there is evidence to show that acid reflux can result from a weakened oesophageal sphincter due to too little acid, as the sphincter only closes when there is enough stomach acid present. So using an antacid in this situation is like using a band aid but never actually finding out why the body isn’t healing itself.
Taking antacids leads to poor absorption of zinc, calcium, magnesium and vitamin C, because these nutrients need an acidic environment to be absorbed. And we all know what happens if we don’t absorb enough calcium and magnesium (weak bones) or zinc and vitamin C (weak immune system).
One of the much discussed side effects of reducing your stomach acid over a long term is that it can leave the path open for infection by H Pylori which has been shown to cause stomach ulcers as well as other nasty illnesses. More and more it seems that H Pylori is becoming resistant to antibiotics so another type of treatment might be useful.
For most people over 20 it can be very helpful to take additional Digestive Enzymes, which may or may not contain Betaine HCI which is another form of stomach acid. Many people with mild digestive problems (acid reflux, pain after eating, constipation, and difficulties digesting certain foods) have found relief when they take a digestive enzyme with each meal. There are a few different types available so again it is a good idea to get some advice first.
Another very useful product for digestive problems is L-Glutamine, which I wrote about 2 months ago, as it helps to repair damaged stomach lining. Glutamine can also protect against damage caused by H Pylori and has shown promise in treating stomach ulcers (Science Daily.com 2009). Please get assistance from a trained professional if you have or think you may have an ulcer.
Another article on Science Daily.com discusses research into a probiotic called Bifidobacterium bifidum that has been shown to counteract H Pylori, as many people find that the anti-biotic regime does not always work for them. It is always safe to take probiotics, even if you are on other medications, as they are similar to foods and do not interact or react with anything else. You always want to take them with food or your stomach acid might destroy them before they get a chance to work. There are different types of probiotics so it is important to get some good advice when choosing which one is right for you.
If you are taking an antacid regularly for relief of mild digestive symptoms, it might well be worth calling into your local health food shop or contacting your nutritionist and discussing the alternatives. You might find that you are better off taking acid rather than reducing it!!
