HCl (hydrochloric acid) is a major component of stomach acid and it is crucial for proper digestion. Without enough stomach acid, it is much harder to break down protein and to absorb certain minerals and vitamins. It also puts you at risk for food poisoning and other infections such as H. pylori. Low acid can occur for many reasons including age (you lose 1% every year you age starting at birth), use of acid blocking medications, chronic infections, poor diet and toxicity.
The natural medicine doctor Bob Rakowski suggests that 98 percent of the American population is deficient in HCL because of increased stress levels (both physiological and psychological stress). I have seen this hold up in our clinic as we have had only one individual pass the stomach acid test.
A common misconception is that digestive stress (heartburn, reflux) is caused by too much acid. More commonly the problem is having much too little stomach acid for appropriate digestion. This causes partially digested carbohydrates and proteins to ferment in the stomach and back up into the esophagus—an uncomfortable problem that is interpreted by uninformed individuals and physicians as too much stomach acid. So popping a handful of antacids is not only the incorrect solution, it also puts you at risk. Bone fractures triple in those with low HCl and you are 100 times more likely to get bacterial infections, like E. Coli than if your HCl levels were normal.
Common symptoms of low acid:
- Belching, bloating, burning, or excessive gas after meals
- A sense of fullness even after small meals
- Indigestion, constipation, or diarrhea
- Food reactions or sensitivities
- Weak, peeling, or cracked fingernails
- Dilated blood vessels at the cheek and nose
- Acne
- Iron deficiency
- Chronic intestinal parasites, dysbiosis, and yeast infections
- Gallstones
- Leg cramps
- Fatigue, sleeplessness, or plateaus during dieting
