Do you have low stomach acid? Signs and simple remedies

Jun 9, 2021

Low stomach acid can cause various symptoms ranging from gut dysfunction to skin breakouts.

alt tagShot of unhealthy young woman with stomachache leaning on the bed at home

My friend and colleague Heidi, also know as The Healthy RD, wrote such a great article about this topic I couldn’t resist sharing it with you. She discusses all of the following in her article.

Functions of stomach acid:

  • Kills unwanted germs and bacteria [R]
  • Stimulates the intestines and pancreas to make enzymes for digestion
  • Breaks down proteins so they can be absorbed
  • Helps prevent foodborne illness
  • Essential for vitamin B12 absorption
  • Helps the body absorb calcium, iron, magnesium, and other minerals [R, R]
  • Required to help keep the stomach contents from flowing into the esophagus

Low stomach acid and its causes:

  • Stress [R]
  • H. pylori infection
  • Antacids, proton pump inhibitors, ranitidine, famotidine
  • Imbalanced diets
  • Stomach surgery or gastric bypass surgery
  • Autoimmune conditions [R]
  • SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) [R]
  • Vegan diet or vegetarian diets
  • Diets low in B-vitamins and zinc
  • Aging

Some common symptoms of low stomach acid:

  • Bloating
  • Diarrhea
  • Trouble digesting meat
  • Bad breath
  • Increased risk of food allergies
  • Acid reflux or heartburn
  • Gas
  • Undigested food in bowel movements
  • Nausea from vitamins
  • Nutrient deficiencies
  • Hair loss in women
  • Brittle nails
  • Acne
  • Food sensitivities
  • Yeast infections
  • Mood swings

How to tell if you have low stomach acid:

  • Use this simple baking soda test you can do at home to tell if you have low stomach acid or not.

Remedies for low stomach acid:

  • Probiotics [R]
  • Diet changes
  • Stress relief
  • Sauerkraut
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Betaine HCL
  • Digestive enzymes
  • Bitters
  • Marshmallow root
  • Bovine colostrum
  • Vitamins and minerals
  • Ginger

The article goes into depth about each of the items listed above. The Healthy RD is a great resource for functional nutrition and natural supplements that support gut healing.

If you want to get to the bottom of your stomach problems, I’d love to help you. You can book a complimentary consult using the form below.

In this post, learn about the functions of stomach acid, some ways to tell if you have low stomach acid, and easy food tips and supplements to help.

Source: Do you have low stomach acid? Signs and simple remedies

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