One of the most common complaints affecting adults is acid reflux, otherwise known as GERD. When reported to a doctor, he or she is likely to prescribe an acid blocker, like Tagamet, Nexium or Prilosec because of the assumption that the person is producing too much acid. But hold on a second, do we really know that too much acid is the likely culprit ?
Recently, I was with someone who gets indigestion or acid reflux from eating all sorts of foods just about every day. So I suggested she try a Betaine HCL tablet with each meal to help her stomach produce more acid. Guess what? Just one tablet helped reduce her digestive problems.
We are learning that the symptoms of too much stomach acid, and too little stomach acid, can be similar. A lack of stomach acid (which contains HCL) can cause GERD, burping, heartburn, gas and a heaviness in the stomach after eating. In fact, as many as half of adults over the age of fifty produce too little stomach acid which can then reduce the tone of their esophageal sphincter and allow acid into the esophagus. If you think about it, reduced production of HCL makes sense as a condition in older adults since all organs tend to secrete less enzymes and hormones with age.
Stomach acid is essential for the proper breakdown of protein, absorption of minerals and nutrients and efficient functioning of enzymes that break down all of your food. It also helps control the number of bad bacteria in your intestines and prevents food poisoning. Blocking production of stomach acid content over long periods can seriously hamper your immune system, nutrient absorption and overall health.
Below are factors that affect or improve digestion:
- Eat slowly and chew your food well. Chewing and saliva are the first important steps toward proper digestion.
- Eating while stressed negatively affects your digestion and can shut down your stomach’s digestive juices and blood supply.
- Whole foods, especially fresh vegetables and fruits, are better for your health and digestion than processed foods.
- Salt encourages HCL production while sugar tends to shut it off.
- Bitter greens, such as arugula and chickory, support digestion. Apple cider vinegar can help as well. Try adding one tablespoon of vinegar to eight teaspoons of water. Increase to two tablespoons and 16 teaspoons of water if needed.
- Swedish Bitters, an extract of genetian and other herbs, has long been used to increase HCL.
- If you want to try Betaine HCL tablets to increase stomach acid, try one 500 mg dose with each meal. If you don’t feel improvement, try two with each meal the next day. Keep increasing the number (up to 5) until you feel a slight burning sensation in your digestive tract. At that point you know you should back off by one tablet the next time. See a doctor first if you have any significant digestive issues like IBS, ulcers, Crohn’s or gastritis.
- Moderate liquid intake while eating so you don’t dilute your digestive juices.
- Food sensitivities increase digestive disturbances. Common triggers include gluten, eggs, chocolate, fried foods, garlic, and tomato sauces.
- Being overweight and/or a smoker increases the incidence of GERD.
- Melatonin tablets at bedtime can eliminate acid reflux. It may take a few weeks to notice improvement. Take three to six milligrams each evening.
Health Idealist 