Heartburn Actually Caused by Too Little Stomach Acid

 Heartburn Actually Caused by 

Too Little Stomach Acid

How Heartburn Medications are Just Prolonging the Problem

Heartburn is extremely common, affecting almost 50% of Americans.

20% have heartburn on a weekly basis!

Heartburn medications are among the most common over-the-counter medications sold. However, once people start taking them, it seems like they need to keep taking them forever.

Why?

Because…..the problem isn’t too much acid, it’s too little acid!

Let’s take a look at what is really going on. The pH of our stomach is supposed to be very low, or in other words, the acidity needs to be very high. If it is not, we can’t break down the food we eat, we can’t absorb minerals properly, and we can’t fight off infections in our gastrointestinal tract as well. Normal stomach pH should be between 1 and 3. However, as we age, we lose some of the cells that make acid, causing the pH to rise. 

Numerous studies have shown that hydrochloric acid secretion declines with advancing age. If too much acid was actually causing heartburn, we would see tons of children running around on acid reflux medication and then getting better as they grow up! But that’s not the case.  So how is too little acid causing symptoms of GERD, heartburn, and acid reflux?

The answer lies in a small flap known as the lower esophageal sphincter. Normally, the lower esophageal sphincter is constantly closed and only opens up long enough to allow food to pass from the esophagus into the stomach. However, physiologically, it needs a low pH to stay closed. If the pH gets too high or there is not enough acid in the stomach, this sphincter stays open, allowing food contents to pass from the stomach back into the esophagus. 

Any amount of stomach acid hitting the esophagus is going to burn. And that is why heartburn medications work. They lower the amount of acid so not that not as much acid is crossing over into the esophagus. However, they are also just prolonging the problem and making it worse, because now this flap never closes. More acid continues to get into the esophagus, causing more damage and  more pain.

Here are some other symptoms associated with too little stomach acid. Notice that it is not just heartburn. Two of the more important ones are mineral deficiencies, along with poor digestion of other foods, and chronic intestinal infections. Both of these will cause other more serious issues.

Remember……

• Acid is needed to digest proteins.
• Acid is helpful in digesting carbohydrates.
• Acid is essential for the absorption of minerals as well as some vitamins.
• Acid is very protective against certain pathogens, especially E. Coli and H. Pylori (H. Pylori is a known cause of stomach ulcers).

And because mineral absorption and a properly functioning gut are so important to having a healthy body, numerous disorders have been associated with low acid.

So how can you test for low stomach acid?

Most of the tests for low stomach acid are very easy. 

The first one is the lemon water test. Put 2 tsp of lemon juice into a half cup of water and drink it right before eating. If after a few meals, you notice less bloating, less burning, and easier digestion, then you know you’re on the right track. However, lemon juice can be acidic in the mouth and esophagus, and can cause some irritation and burning feeling by itself, leading to false negatives.

In my office, I like to use Betaine HCL pills. There is no irritation to the lining of the mouth or esophagus, and so it is a better test. At the very start of the meal, take one capsule of Betaine HCL. Take careful note of how you feel during and after eating. If burning or bloating appears, or if burning was present before taking the supplement and is now worsened with the use of the Betaine HCL, do not continue using this supplement! This is an indication that the stomach lining may be damaged and needs to be repaired with other methods before normalizing pH. However, if after a few meals or even a few weeks, you notice less bloating, less burning, and easier digestion, then you know you’re on the right track!

yours in health,

dr samantha boldt