How Low Stomach Acid Promotes Bacteria, Parasites, Yeast and Viruses

My gut was a mess for decades! Every meal ended with pain, bloating, constipation, reflux and so much gas. My doctor at the time told me to take antacids. Things just got progressively worse. In December 2011 my first hair analysis revealed that I did not have enough stomach acid and I was not breaking down and absorbing my food properly. This was the exact opposite outcome to what doctors had been telling me for years. By this time I had been battling a very bad parasite problem off and on for two years. The hair analysis report suggested supplementing with Betaine Hydrochloride (Betaine HCl) and making a complete diet change. I was very ill at this time and barely leaving the house. Diagnoses included chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, bipolar disorder, major anxiety, anemia, chronic migraines and parasites. I did not know at that time that I also had Lyme Disease.

 

“Approximately 90% of all Americans produce too little hydrochloric acid.”
-Jonathan V. Wright, M.D.

 

SYMPTOMS OF LOW STOMACH ACID (Hypochlorhydria)

1. Bloating
2. Gas, usually after eating
3. Abdominal pain or tightness
4. Heartburn, indigestion
5. Foul smelling gas
6. Constipation
7. Undigested food in the stool
8. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
9. Parasites

CAUSES OF LOW STOMACH ACID

1. Excess carbohydrate consumption
2. Nutrient deficiencies – there must be sufficient chloride, sodium and zinc for HCl production
3. Stress
4. Excess alcohol consumption
5. Allergies
6. Using acid neutralizers, acid suppressors or the most potent proton pump inhibitors.
7. Drinking alkaline water with meals

WHY STOMACH ACID IS SO IMPORTANT – Proper pH is beween 1.5 – 3

1. It is our first line of defense against parasites, bacteria, viruses, prions and yeast.
Acid triggers the release of the protein digestive enzyme pepsin. The above pathogens are made up of proteins. When the pH of the stomach is correct, pepsin will simply digest these pathogens. If the pH is too alkaline, then these pathogens will thrive and create problems all along the gastrointestinal tract. According to Dr. Jonathan Wright, if the stomach pH is 3 or less, bacteria cannot survive for longer than 15 minutes. This acid barrier also prevents bacteria and parasites from migrating north through the duodenum and putting down roots in the intestinal lining. A high pH can promote Campylobacter pylori, Candida yeast, Salmonella, E.coli., Streptococci,  cholera, dysentery, typhoid and tuberculosis.

If the stomach pH is high the Ascaris worm can migrate north from the small intestine into the stomach. This situation can cause nausea and vomiting. It is not unusual for these large worms to make their way up the esophagus. When I first began parasite cleansing I had this unfortunate experience after taking an herbal remedy. If you have stomach parasites they will do anything to escape these powerful herbs to survive.

Have you ever wondered why some people get Montezuma’s Revenge/food poisoning at a restaurant and others don’t?  It is most likely due to their individual levels of stomach acidity. I never get sick anymore here in Mexico. I think this is because I still take my betaine HCl with every meal.

2. It promotes the digestion and absorption of many vital nutrients.
This is the reason so many people today are nutrient deficient. Many are eating a healthy diet but are unable to digest and absorb their food.  If there is not enough hydrochloric acid in the stomach, the proteins ingested will putrefy, carbohydrates will ferment and fats will rancify. This happens because the pyloric sphincter which allows food to pass out of the stomach will not open.  As a result, stomach contents (chyme) will not make their way into the duodenum unless it is at the proper acidity level. This causes food to just sit in the stomach much longer than it should. The result is burping, pain, bloating and gas.

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?

1. You can determine if your stomach acid is low through hair testing or by working with a nutritional therapist or naturopathic practitioner.
Sometimes taking Betaine HCl to tolerance is all that is needed to correct the stomach pH.

Simple Betaine HCl Challenge Test
It is important to find the right dosage for your personal situation.
1. Start by taking 1 pill (650 mg) of Betaine HCl at the beginning of a  meal that contains about 4 – 6 ounces of protein.
2. Once you have finished the meal observe your stomach for any heaviness, hotness, burning or other GI distress.
3. If you do not notice any difference, increase the following day by 1 Betaine HCl pill per meal.
4. Each day, keep increasing by one pill until you notice some GI distress. Then, you are going to back down by one pill and that will be your dosage. So if taking 5 pills caused a warming sensation in the stomach,  then back down to 4 pills – and that will be your dose.
5. It is also beneficial to increase the dosage if you know you are going to be eating a very large meal.
Note-  Some persons, however are not able to handle even 1 pill of Betaine HCl, as their stomach lining is too damaged. These people will have to heal the stomach lining first and then begin adding very, very low doses of Betaine HCl. Your nutritional therapist or healthcare provider can help you with this.

2. Eat a balanced healthy real food diet!
If you are struggling with parasites and other chronic infections, you might want to check out the Paleo Diet. It is really important to reduce simple carbohydrates. These are the preferred food of parasites. I started to recover my health quickly once I added in my Super Healthy Green Smoothies for breakfast. I still have them to this day, each morning with a couple of boiled eggs on the side.  Throughout the day, make sure your diet contains an adequate amount of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids.

3. Correct any nutrient deficiencies.
You may need to supplement a few key minerals that you are low in.

4. Reduce the pathogenic load.
I chose herbals that would not affect the good gut flora. Here is a good basic bowel cleanse recipe, parasite cleanse and Lyme Disease herbal protocol. If you are having a tough time clearing your pathogenic load take a look at this article. 

Remember!! Digestion should be a non-event. You should not even be aware that your stomach is busy digesting a large meal.

Today!

I still take 4 Betaine HCL with every meal (2080 mg). As we age we produce less and less hydrochloric acid. This may be one of those supplements that I will need to take for the rest of my life. My health today is great and so if this is what is needed I don’t mind at all. A small price to pay after a lifetime of poor digestion. This article outlines everything else that I did to reverse 20 years of chronic illness.

If you are interested in booking a consult, please go to this page for nutritional therapy and hair analysis.

Best of Health!