The hidden danger of lowering your stomach acidity when seeking symptomatic relief
by Karen McGarrick (BHSc, BSc (Hons))
Currently, there is an alarming trend against all acid in the body. The body is an amazing combination of systems that function together. There are many different optimum pH levels (acid levels) in different areas of the body. They vary greatly from the alkaline (pH of 8 to 8.3) of the pancreatic secretions to the stomach, which is acidic at a pH of 1 to 3.5. These pH levels are optimal for the functioning of the specific area of the body. It is this acid in the stomach which has received such a bad rap. In this article, I am going to explore the importance and function of stomach acid. Did you know that reflux and indigestion is often due to too little stomach acid and not too much stomach acid?The importance of stomach acid.
So what does it do?
Stomach acid has many functions, the most important of which is its function in protein digestion. Firstly it is involved with cleaving apart the complexed and large protein molecules that we consume in many forms (meat, eggs, legumes). Secondly, it activates an enzyme also secreted in the stomach, Pepsinogen to Pepsin. Pepsin is also involved in protein digestion. The building blocks that make up these proteins, once released from the protein can be used to not only help make and repair muscle but also make enzymes, hormones, and neurotransmitters in our body.
Stomach acid is not only involved in digestion of proteins, but with food as a whole. The food that is chewed and swallowed in a bolus is further broken up by the stomach acid so that by the time it leaves the stomach it is in a liquid “milkshake” form called chime. This allows for better digestion later in the digestive tract.
When the chime exits the stomach into the small intestine, the pH drop (acid drop) stimulates receptors to send signals to the pancreas to release digestive juices and enzymes used to further break down and digest the food. This stimulus also stimulates the initiation of peristaltic movements of the intestines. These movements not only move the food along the digestive tract; but also crush the food further helping with its breakdown.
The work of the stomach acid does finish there. It plays an important role in the bodies immune system. It does this by destroying bacteria and parasites taken in with food. As such it is part of our first line of defense.
Many nutrients rely on stomach acid to release them from food complexes and to help them absorb into the body. One such nutrient is vitamin B12. This vitamin is used in the brain, nervous system and in blood formation. Other minerals that are affected by stomach acid are calcium and magnesium absorption. Magnesium and Calcium are important in the muscles and nervous system and Calcium is also important in bones.
One of the less known functions of stomach acid is probably the one that provides the most obvious symptoms when the acid is low. This is its effect on the Lower Oesophagal Sphincter and the pyloric sphincter. The Lower Oesophagal sphincter is found between the stomach and the Oesophagus and allows food into the stomach, whilst preventing stomach contents from refluxing up the Oesophagus. In response to increased stomach acidity, the autonomic nervous activates this sphincter. The closing pressure of this sphincter increases as the acid (HCL) increases, this is stimulated by acid sensors in the sphincter. When the stomach acid does not reach the levels to stimulate this, the sphincter remains slightly open. This results in reflux. Ironically the sphincter that is between the stomach and the small intestine (pyloric sphincter) works in the opposite manner. If the low pH (high acid) environment is not reached the valve will not open, hence keeping the food in the stomach. Isn’t nature amazing, it does this to try and ensure that we digest the food provided to us. This delayed emptying causes a full feeling and indigestion. The delayed time in the stomach along with the presence of bacteria normally not found in the stomach due to the high acidity results in the food fermenting. This causes increased amounts of gas, bloating and burping. This, as well as upward pressure, results in more reflux. These are the obvious signs and symptoms of low stomach acid levels.
Lower stomach acid levels often occur as we age.
How do we treat this condition?
Well, the scary thing is most people treat the symptoms of this problem with a method that relieves the symptoms but aggravates the underlying problem. This is generally through antacids or protein pump inhibitors (PPI). Antacids are alkaline products that neutralize the stomach acid, making it less acid. PPIs are medicines that stop the production of the stomach acid, thereby making the environment less acidic. The problem of this is two-fold. Firstly the lower acid environment means an exacerbation of the problem long term. Secondly this lower acid results in a lowered digestion of the food resulting in nutrient deficiencies. These can lead to serious problems with blood building, in the brain and the body in general. There is an additional problem to these medicines, and that is as a result of the lack of stomach acid being produced, more and more Gastrin is produced. Gastrin is a hormone which stimulates the release of stomach acid. It is this elevated level of Gastrin that results in a terrible rebound effect when someone stops taking their PPI. The resulting symptoms are far worse than the original condition. It is for this reason that people find it hard to stop taking PPIs once on them.
The solution is obvious and that is to treat the underlying cause, which is the lowered stomach acidity. As a holistic practitioner, I would look at the whole person. This would include diet, lifestyle and family history. From this, I will find the right treatment for them that will help result in an increase in the stomach acidity, whilst providing symptomatic relief that does not influence the acidity. It is all about getting the body to behave and be as it should.Nature is amazing in how it does everything for a reason. It can also be confusing. It is for this reason why sometimes you need to use acid to douse the fire.
Karen McGarrick is a degree qualified Medical Herbalist offering consults in Toowoomba and surrounds with the objective of enabling people to experience the pleasure of wellness.
Telephone 1300525111 or email karen@wellnessinnovations.com.au.
References:
Daley, J 2012, ‘The Gastrointestinal System’, in L Hechtman (ed.), Clinical Naturopathic Medicine, Kindle Edn, Churchill Livingstone, Chatsworth, p. 109544.
Hawrelak, J 2014, ‘Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease’, in J Sarris & J Wardle (eds), Clinical Naturopathy 2e - An evidence-based guide to practice, 2nd edn, Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
Hoffmann, D 2003, Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine, 1st edn, Haling Arts Press, Rochester, Vermont.
Janssen, S, Laermans, J, Verhulst, P-J, Thijs, T, Tack, J & Depoortere, I 2011, ‘Bitter taste receptors and &;-gustducin regulate the secretion of ghrelin with functional effects on food intake and gastric emptying.’, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, vol. 108, no. 5, pp. 2094–2099.
Kim, K-Y, Jang, JY, Kim, J-W, Shim, J-J, Lee, CK, Dong, SH, Kim, HJ, Kim, B-H & Chang, YW 2013, ‘Acid suppression therapy as a risk factor for Candida esophagitis.’, Digestive diseases and sciences, vol. 58, no. 5, pp. 1282–6, viewed 5 November 2014, <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23306845>.
