Stomach Acid Problems

[Guest guest]

Stomach Acid Problems

_http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/articles/dig14.php_

(http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/articles/dig14.php)

by Bee Wilder

 

Many people today, and most candida sufferers, have digestive problems,

which is mainly caused by the stomach producing " too little " stomach acid. We

may think our stomachs are " overly acidic " because of heartburn, sour

stomach, or overall stomach upset, nausea and pain, when in fact having " too

little acid " creates exactly the same symptoms as an " over acid " stomach.

 

The technical term for low stomach acidity is " hypochlorhydria, " and a

stomach that is not producing any acid is called " achlorhydria. "

 

The most common symptoms of low stomach acidity include:

 

-- heartburn (if there isn't enough stomach acid the valve that closes the

end of the esophagus won't close properly, so even low stomach acid can

burn the esophagus)

 

-- upset stomach, nausea

 

-- vomiting

 

-- sour stomach

 

-- a heavy feeling, as if the food is just sitting in the stomach in a

lump

 

 

Our stomachs are supposed to be acidic, so it important that it produce

high concentrations of hydrochloric acid (HCl).

 

 

When the stomach produces HCl it also produces bicarbonate of soda (baking

soda) which protects the lining of the stomach from being damaged or eaten

up by HCl. When the stomach doesn't produce enough HCl, it also will not

produce enough bicarbonate of soda so the stomach can become ulcerated.

 

 

When hydrochloric acid is low it causes malnutrition and many digestive

problems. HCl mainly digests protein, breaking it down into small molecules,

which are further digested in the intestinal tract.

 

 

Low stomach acid is associated with a higher incidence of gastrointestinal

problems like h. pylori bacteria which cause stomach ulcers, acid reflux

(heartburn), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's Disease, diarrhea,

constipation, etc.

 

 

Our stomachs need adequate acid so we can get the benefit of a good diet

and the nutrients it contains, and in order for digestion to proceed like it

should throughout the intestines.

 

 

How Foods Are Digested

 

 

Carbohydrates (carbs) start being digested by enzymes produced in the

mouth - carbs are all foods that are not classified as protein or fat,

including vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, seeds, sugar, starches, herbs,

spices,

etc. Some carbs also contain protein and fat, such as grains, nuts, seeds

and some vegetables. Also some protein foods also contain carbs and fats

such as eggs.

 

 

HCl (hydrochloric acid or stomach acid) mainly digests protein. When a

person starts to eat the stomach is stimulated to start producing hydrochloric

acid (HCl). Stomach acid gradually increases during a meal. When the

stomach acid gets high enough, which normally takes about 20-30 minutes after

eating, it neutralizes enzymes from the mouth so carb digestion stops.

 

 

Digestive enzymes from the mouth only work on carbs while the mixture is

alkaline. Therefore, if HCl supplements are taken too early it stops carb

digestion in the stomach too soon. HCl also neutralizes any digestive enzyme

supplements, so taking them is a waste. That is why it is important to take

HCl supplements 30-45 minutes after eating a meal.

 

 

When the mixture of food, water and HCl (called chyme) empties out of the

stomach it has to go through a hole that is the size of the end of a

pencil. The mixture squirts through that small hole in spurts. That rate at

which

foods empty out of the stomach is highly regulated. If the mixture is too

solid and doesn't contain enough fluid it isn't as able to get through that

small hole. That is why drinking enough fluids with meals is also very

important.

 

 

When the mixture starts squirting through that small hole, if the pancreas

detects it contains enough fluids and HCl it is able to do its job. First

the mixture must be made alkaline, so the pancreas pours lots of

bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) onto the mixture as it is squirting through

that

small hole. Pancreatic digestive enzymes only work on an alkaline mixture,

just like enzymes in the mouth.

 

 

Next, the pancreas produces several enzymes which digest carbs, fats and

further digests protein, i.e. protease digests protein, amylase digests

carbs and lipase digests fats. The small intestine also produces digestive

enzymes that only work on an alkaline mixture.

 

 

Therefore taking HCl supplements and improving its production in the

stomach, along with having enough fluids with meals, is very important for

proper digestion, whereas taking digestive enzymes is a waste and doesn't help

digestion.

 

 

Improve Digestion with Foods, Spices and Herbs

 

 

The following foods, spices, and herbs stimulate stomach acid production,

but sometimes it is necessary to also take HCl supplements.

 

-- Meats and eggs.

 

-- " Good " fats such as coconut oil, butter, lard, naturally occurring

animal fats, etc.

 

-- Good ocean sea salt.

 

-- Lemon juice.

 

-- _Mineral-Rich Bone Broth_

(http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/recipes/recipe21.php)

 

-- Fermented foods, i.e. . _Cabbage Rejuvelac_

(http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/articles/pre1.php) , _Sauerkraut,

Traditional_

(http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/recipes/recipe252.php) , and

_Kimchi/Kimchee [Korean

Sauerkraut]_ (http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/recipes/recipe180.php) .

 

-- Spices, teas and herbs, i.e. camomile, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, etc.

 

 

All dried spices and herbs must be organic or certified organic from the

health store, since most commercial products are irradiated (zapped with

radiation) which change and damage the body's cells if consumed.

 

 

How to Increase Stomach Acid Production

 

Nature provides the most effective stomach acid regulator, which is

unpasteurized unheated sauerkraut. Sauerkraut is unique because it raises

stomach

acid " if " it is too low, and it lowers stomach acid " if " it is too high.

Eating 1/4 to 1/2 cup of sauerkraut with meals is one of the best ways to

improve digestion.

 

 

-- Take betaine hydochloric acid supplements (HCl) 30-45 minutes after

eating – see _How to Take Hydrochloric Acid Supplements_

(http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/articles/dig5.php) .

 

 

-- Avoid raw vegetables until digestion improves, except for fermented raw

vegetables like sauerkraut, kimchi (kimchee), etc., which are actually

pre-digested vegetables. All plant cell walls are made of cellulose fibers,

and the human digestive system is incapable of breaking them down. Therefore,

the cellulose cell walls of plants must be broken down before they are

digestible, and in order for nutrients, including minerals, and enzymes to be

available - see _Raw Versus Cooked Vegetables & Fruits_

(http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/articles/veg3.php) .

 

 

-- Do not cook meats or eggs using high heat, and do not overcook them.

Cooking proteins actually pre-digests them, called denaturing. However

overheating or overcooking them makes them lose moisture and binds the protein

molecules tighter together which makes them harder to digest. Meats can also

be pre-digested (denatured), by soaking them in acidic mediums such as

lemon or lime juice, tomato juice, apple cider vinegar, etc. Marinating meats

is a good way to pre-digest or pre-cook them.

 

 

-- Eat protein and " good " fats with every meal. Protein stimulates stomach

acid production, and protein and fats stimulate the gall bladder to dump

bile into the small intestines. Good fats also are needed by the liver in

order to produce bile.

 

 

-- Use spices liberally, since they stimulate stomach acid production and

appetite.

 

 

-- Always have ocean sea salt with meals since salt is important for

proper digestion and it also stimulates stomach acid production.

 

 

-- Drink enough fluids with meals so the mixture in the stomach is able to

squirt through the small opening from the stomach into the first part of

the small intestines. Bee's Electrolyte Drink (freshly squeezed juice of 1/2

lemon and 1/4 teaspoon of ocean sea salt in 6 ounces of non-chlorinated

water) is excellent for increasing stomach acid production. Drink a few sips

just before you begin to eat a meal, and sip the remainder of the 6 ounces

throughout the meal.

 

 

-- Chew foods thoroughly to stimulate digestive enzymes in the mouth, and

to break up foods into the smallest particles possible for better

digestion.

 

 

-- Eat enough foods at each meal that includes a good balance of proteins,

good fats (coconut oil, butter, lard, etc.) and vegetables.

 

 

-- Eat at least 2 complete meals per day, but not more than 3 meals.

 

 

-- Avoid snacking in between meals in order to allow time for your body to

digest foods properly.

 

 

-- Eat 1/4 to 1/2 cup of unheated sauerkraut or kimchi (kimchee) with each

meal. Kimchi contains lots of foods that are antifungal, antibacterial,

and antiviral, which can cause " healing reactions " if you have candida or any

kind of bacteria or virus - see _Healing Foods, Herbs & Spices Cause

Healing Reactions_ (http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/articles/veg3.php) .