⁃ Sterilizes the gut which helps with reducing the microbial load.

⁃ Activates peptin ( an enzyme needed to breakdown protein)

⁃ Activates intrinsic factor needed for B12, zinc and trace mineral absorption.

⁃ Helps close the esophogeal sphincter ( acid reflux – lack of stomach acid) and help open the pyloric sphincter to allow food to leave stomach and get into intestine for digestion.
⁃ Needed to prevent undigested particles from getting through the intestinal wall ( leaky gut – leading to inflammation and autoimmune disease).
⁃ Low stomach acid is a real problem.

Symptoms of Low Acid

⁃ Burping and belching

⁃ Acid reflux ( GERD)

⁃ Gas

⁃ Poor breathing and arrhythmia issues

⁃ Thyroid and skin problems

What’s helps:

⁃ Address dysbiosis

⁃ Take Betaine HCL

⁃ Probiotics

⁃ Digestive enzymes

⁃ Reduce sugar and processed foods

⁃ Aim for 1.5 – 2.2 ph of stomach acid.
Baking Soda Test

⁃ empty stomach in morning

⁃ 1/4 teaspoon baking soda in 4 oz of water

⁃ You should burp within 3 minutes.

⁃ If it’s 3-5 minutes indicates low stomach acid if greater than that indicates very low stomach acid

⁃ Do this 3 days in a row and measure the average over 3 days.
More clinical measures ( blood work metabolic panel )
⁃ Chloride 100-106

⁃ < 100 indicates low stomach acid

⁃ Urea, ammonia and nitrogen levels higher ( BUN)

⁃ Protein levels should be 6.9-7.4

⁃ High nitrogen can lead to high ammonia which can become a neurotoxin

Results of Low Stomach Acid:

⁃ high ammonia ( use L-glutamine )

⁃ Leaky gut

⁃ More inflammation

⁃ High nitrogen

⁃ Poor amino acid absorption no protein digestion.

Prevalence of Low Stomach Acid:

⁃ seen by clinicians in 75-80% of patients.

⁃ Autoimmune disease

⁃ Digestive complaints

⁃ Neurodegenerative disorders

⁃ PPI use raises risk of Alzheimer’s – big impact on B12 levels.

Other things you can do:

⁃ Add probiotics

⁃ Eat slower and time your meals so your not rushed eating / digesting.

Lifestyle Changes:

⁃ Proper hydration throughout day.

⁃ Not during meals ( otherwise dilutes stomach acid)

⁃ Bone broth ( high in minerals and add sea salt)

⁃ Slowing down digestive processes.

⁃ Kefir

⁃ Ginger root or ginger tea great for stomach acid production before meals !

Digestive Aids:
⁃ Lemon water

⁃ Apple cider vinegar

⁃ Peppermint

⁃ Oregano, basil, rosemary

⁃ Deep breathing before meals ( activates parasympathetic nervous and helps activate salivary and digestive enzymes before you eat )

⁃ Never eat when stressed and angry ( leads to sub optimal digestion )

How Much Water ?

⁃ 2 liters between meals

⁃ Limited water at meals

⁃ 1/2 your body weight in oz

⁃ Great for detox

⁃ Reduces digestive stress and leads to constipation

HCL Betaine

⁃ start with one capsule during or after meal

⁃ Can add until you have a reaction ( mild indigestion)

⁃ Goal is to get your body to produce its own stomach acid.

⁃ Take it until you notice indigestion!
Effects of HCL
⁃ Improve mineral and protein absorption.

⁃ Reduce inflammation.

⁃ Stimulate parasympathetic state.

Other aids to help with digestion:

Aloe Vera juice

Fermented juice and veggies

Slippery elm

Lactobacillus planterum
⁃ key bacteria

⁃ resilient form

⁃ highly adaptive

⁃ found in kimchi, pickles and sauerkraut

⁃ unique in that it has high adhesive qualities

⁃ great for absorption and detoxification.

⁃ very low in western cultures ( due to highly processed foods)

Benefits of Lactobacillus planterum:
⁃ nutrient absorption

⁃ produces butyrate ( good fuel source for gut )

⁃ eats toxins

⁃ produces nutrients ( B vitamins, enzymes, butyrate etc )

⁃ Add lactobacillus acidophilus and bifido bacterium as well