Heartburn affects 60 million people at least once a month, and about 15 million people experience it daily. Heartburn is often treated with medications that neutralize or inhibit stomach acid from being produced, but what if the real root cause of heartburn isn’t high levels of stomach acid?
HYPOCHLORHYDRIA
What is it? Hypochlorhydria means low stomach acid. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is produced in our stomachs to aid in digestion and immunity. It basically breaks down what you eat for absorbing essential nutrients and kills viruses, bacteria, yeast and other bugs before entering your intestines.
If patients have symptoms like heartburn, we often times associate it with hyper-chlorhydria or too much stomach acid and prescription medications are given to lower the acid level to help with symptoms. But in fact, these digestive symptoms can also be caused by hypochlorhydria or too low stomach acid. Poor digestion from the lack of stomach acid can create gas bubbles that rise into your esophagus and throat, carrying stomach acid with them. Even trace amounts of acid in your throat can feel like too much and elicits a burning sensation we associate with heartburn.
WHAT CAUSES HYPOCHLORHYDRIA?
H.Pylori Infections: H. pylori is a bacteria that can flourish in the stomach and eventually lead to low stomach acid. Ironically, low stomach acid can be a cause of why the H.Pylori bacteria grows.
Acid-reducing medications : Proton pump inhibitors (PPI’s), like omeprazole, were originally prescribed for only short term use but they are now overprescribed commonly which can lead to our acid-secreting glands to stop working.
Gastritis: Gastritis means inflammation in the stomach. This can lead to low stomach acid. Some causes of gastritis are alcoholism, smoking, food sensitivities, taking anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen, to name a few.
Aging: The cells that produce our stomach acid age as we do and therefore can “die off” and be the cause of low stomach acid.
Gastric bypass surgery: Stomach surgery is known to affect stomach acid production.
HOW TO TREAT LOW STOMACH ACID
Once the cause of the low stomach acid has been identified, then treat the cause. Low stomach acid may lead to nutrient deficiencies and increased risk of intestinal infections, such as SIBO, due to stomach acid’s roles in digestion and killing microbes. Supplementation with apple cider vinegar (ACV) does increase stomach acid but unfortunately it can also lead to esophageal injury and therefore I don’t recommend. Supplementation with betaine HCl supplements can be helpful but seeking out a naturopathic physician to help you identify what dose to take would be advantageous.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Since 2005, Dr. Fey has helped women, men, and children find real solutions to their health concerns. She truly believes that giving the proper care and nutrients your body has an amazing ability to heal. She is committed to finding the root cause of illness by utilizing a whole body approach not just focusing solely on presenting symptoms. With her scientific background, Dr. Fey uses science based natural approaches to treating disease.
Dr. Amanda Fey is the owner and practicing Naturopathic Doctor at Complementary Medicine & Healing Arts, the Southern Tiers Center for Natural Healthcare located in the Binghamton NY area. The office website is www.naturallywell.us. Dr. Fey is currently offering telemedicine for patients all across the US. To contact the office, call 607-729-0591 or email cmhahealth@gmail.com.
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