Low stomach acid is a trigger for poor digestive activity. Because food and nutrients can’t be broken down, they sit in the stomach and cause bacteria to build up. The main symptoms from this process are gas and bloating.
Low stomach acid is a flip-flopped term. The stomach pH should be 1-3, which IS a low number, but if the number 1 on the pH scale is like battery acid and 7 is neutral, then 7 would then be considered low stomach acid in strength. For the stomach to digest food, prevent and kill bacteria, like salmonella or E.Coli, this stomach acid needs to be low or very acidic. The stomach secrets enzymes that protect it from being damaged from this strong acid. Many foods and beverages neutralize this acid. If the pH is a 4 to a 7 (true low acid levels), the stomach will not excrete the enzymes needed to protect your stomach lining from this acid. This is what causes peptic ulcers and many, many more digestive issues.
Now the pH of the food tube or the esophagus cannot stand the stomach’s high acid content, and even a pH of 4 is enough to cause pain. When this acid is not strong enough, it does not signal the pyloric sphincter at the bottom of the stomach to open, which over-fills the stomach. This is what causes backflow into the esophagus, causing heartburn. At the top of the stomach is the cardiac sphincter. This sphincter is just a lazy flap that allows us to express the air we swallow while eating and drinking but has no strength to hold things in like the pyloric sphincter can. This is why when we eat a lot of food or drink or a lot of fluids with our meal ( like spicy salsa), the extra fluid neutralizing our acid, and we get backflow causing heartburn.
If you are eating processed foods, sugary fluids, or taking acid blockers and proton pump inhibitors, you increase your risk of not digesting your food. Therefore not breaking out the nutrition needed for your body to function properly. This prevents the building of healthy bones, skin, and cells. Because these nutrients are missing, your body continues to search, and you are never satisfied. As your body searches for these nutrients, your body craves more food and most of the time causing you to eat more and more.
Acid blockers should never need to be taken if… eating a whole, unprocessed diet, properly chewing your food, not overeating, and only sipping liquids at meals. When there is already an ulcer present, yes, these may need to be taken to assist the healing process. For short periods only, and they should not be taken, especially O.T.C. Yes, it will protect the lining of the food tube and stop the burn, but it can cause an endless cycle of digestive and long-term health problems.
Undigested foods are the leading cause of autoimmune diseases. But that’s a whole other story…
Signs your body is not digesting your food correctly.
Appetite, Fullness/satisfaction Sweet cravings
Feel physically full but still hungry
Don’t feel satisfied; feel like something was missing from the meal.
Feel hungry again soon after meal
Need to snack between meals
have a desire for sweets
Energy
Too much or too little energy
become hyper, jittery, shaky, nervous, or speedy
Feel hyper but exhausted underneath
Energy drop, fatigue, exhaustion, sleeplessness, or sleepiness
Mental/ Emotional Well Being
Mentally slow, sluggish, spacey
Inability to think clearly or quickly
Overly rapid thoughts
Hypo-apathy, depression, sadness
Hyper-anxiety, obsessive behavior, fearfulness, anger, irritability.
Digestive and Stomach Trouble Program
A program to help you use food to tap into Your Body’s Healing Wisdom.