The Truth About Acid Reflux

As a Registered Nutritionist, I have found that over 90% of my clients have major digestive issues. Acid Reflux and Indigestion are common complaints. Many of my clients have visited their doctors and are on toxic pharmaceutical drugs that cause more damage than good including the following list of side effects.
* abdominal pain
* constipation
* diarrhea
* dizziness
* dry mouth
* gas
* headache
* nausea or vomiting
They are told this is a "chronic problem" that they are destined to deal with for the rest of their lives.

This is simply not true. The answer is so simple with no need for drugs whatsoever.

While the majority of the population suffering from “Acid Reflux” or “Indigestion” or “Heartburn” is convinced that they produce too much acid and therefore must take Antacids, for most of those people, the OPPOSITE IS TRUE!!!!! There is a common, frequently undiagnosed and usually untreated condition known as hypochlorhydria.

Hypochlorhydria is the underproduction of hydrochloric acid by the stomach. Hydrochloric acid (HCL) is responsible for three important functions:
1. It begins the breakdown of protein
2. In the presence of food, it activates an enzyme called "pepsin," which further breaks down protein
3. It is necessary for the breakdown and utilization of minerals, especially calcium.

NOTE: Calcium can only be absorbed in an acidic environment, so those ads that tell you that an Antacid is a “good source of calcium” is misleading you because Antacids create an alkaline environment and therefore, any calcium present cannot be absorbed by the body.

When the stomach is deficient in HCL production, food eaten lies in the stomach and ferments which leads to gas, burning and bloating. For those people, reaching for their antacids is the worst thing that they can do since it only alleviates the burning symptoms but actually over the long haul just contributes to the real problem!

Usually hypochlorhydria is a condition that is left undiagnosed and untreated. The situation is further complicated by the fact that the symptoms of hypochlorhydria are similar to those of hyperchlorhydria (overproduction of hydrochloric acid). Burping, belching, bloating, "heartburn," gas, sour stomach, undigested food in stool, a voracious appetite (due to cellular "starvation"), food sitting in stomach too long, slow digestion, inability to eat a large meal due to feeling full quickly, constipation, and diarrhea can all be due to insufficient HCL production. Thus, many of those who have too little HCL production are treated as though they have too much.

In the late 1960s, the Heidelberg test was developed. This elegant (but expensive) device involves swallowing a capsule about the size of a vitamin pill that can measure the stomach acid content. But this relatively simple ability to diagnose hypochlorhydria is infrequently used due to the mistaken belief by most practitioners that hypochlorhydria is not worth treating -- astonishing when sales of antacids, acid blockers and ulcer medications consistently top the list of drug sales. An even simpler test is to buy and HCL supplement and take it with a little bit of water. If you experience a burning sensation, you know you have enough acid in your stomach and you don’t need to supplement – simply drink a big glass of water and you will be fine. In all my years of practice THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED!!! Without exception, every client has benefited from supplementing with HCL

Digestion is not the only issue to consider here. Stomach acid serves many other important functions, including keeping the body free from disease. Many bacteria enter the body with food and some of them are not friendly to human life. In a normal stomach, these bacteria are doused with acid and die. In a person with hypochlorhydria, these bacteria remain alive and continue their journey into the small intestine along with a generous food supply. It has been shown that people with hypochlorhydria have a higher incidence of infections. The ever present yeast organism makes its entrance via the mouth. Many people with the so-called "yeast syndrome" are unable to get rid of their yeast because the organism continues to re-infect the body through the mouth. Another important function of hydrochloric acid is the stimulation of pancreatic enzyme and bile release into the small intestine. Without enough pancreatic enzymes and bile, the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and vitamins A and E, is severely compromised, inadvertently causing undernutrition even with an excellent diet.

The following conditions have been linked to hypochlorhydria:
Acne rosacea,
Adrenal insufficiency,
Allergies,
Anemia,
Arthritis,
Asthma,
Autoimmune Diseases,
Celiac Disease,
Chronic fatigue,
Chronic hepatitis,
Diabetes mellitus,
Dry skin,
Gallbladder disease,
GERD - misdiagnosed acid reflux, but really hypochlorhydria,
Hypoglycemia - Infections increased - parasitic, yeast, bacterial,
Lupus erythematosis
Nail weaknesses
Osteoporosis
Poor night vision
Psoriasis
Rheumatic arthritis
Stomach cancer risk increased
Thyroid disorders
Vitiligo

So instead of reaching for an antacid, why not try supplementing with HCL and fix the problem for good. In general, we recommend that someone start out with 1 HCL with each meal. It can take up to a few months for the problem to resolve, but once your symptoms disappear, you can stop taking the HCL and just use as needed. Remember to eat a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables and whole foods to maintain that healthy stomach.