16/09/2025
Why root cause medicine?
Because real healing starts with asking why..
Just one small pill, like an acid reducer, can seem harmless…
But over time it may block nutrient absorption, change gut balance, and trigger a snowball effect of new health issues
STOMACH ACID is the ignition spark for methylation, detoxification, triglyceride breakdown, nerve repair, and cognition. Neutralising or blocking it doesn’t just ease heartburn — it SHUTS DOWN the very systems that repair DNA, maintain nerves, and prevent cognitive decline.
1. Stomach Acid as the Gateway to Amino Acids
Protein digestion starts with stomach acid. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) denatures proteins and activates pepsin, which cleaves them into smaller peptides. These petides are then broken down by input from the pancreas into AMINO ACIDS, the body's building blocks.
Without acid: Methionine and other essential amino acids are never freed from protein and made absorbable.
Result: No methionine uptake, no amino acid uptake → the body is deprived of its raw materials for every downstream repair and signalling pathway.
2. Methionine, Methylation, and DNA Repair
Methionine → SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine). This is the body’s universal methyl donor.
Methylation cycle functions:
DNA repair and stability
Turning genes on/off (epigenetics)
Detoxification (methylation of heavy metals, hormones, toxins)
Neurotransmitter balance (dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine)
Without stomach acid: methionine supply fails → SAMe cannot be made → methylation cycle collapses.
Consequences: increased DNA mutations, poor detox capacity, toxic estrogens accumulate, higher risk of cancer and degenerative disease.
3. Triglyceride and Fat Metabolism
Stomach acid triggers bile release and pancreatic enzyme secretion.
Without acid: bile flow is weak, lipase enzymes underperform → fats and triglycerides are not broken down.
Consequence: fatty liver, high blood lipids, poor absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).
Knock-on effect: hormone imbalance, weak antioxidant defense, poor nerve insulation (myelin).
4. Nerve Maintenance and Cognitive Function
Myelin sheath repair: depends on methylation (via methionine → SAMe → phosphatidylcholine).
Neurotransmitter balance: needs methyl groups and amino acids (e.g., tryptophan, tyrosine).
Low stomach acid → low methylation → poor nerve maintenance.
Clinical outcome: memory loss, anxiety, depression, faster cognitive decline, neurodegenerative risk.
5. Detoxification and Inflammation Control
Phase II detox (methylation, sulfation, glutathione conjugation): all depend on amino acid supply and methyl groups.
Without acid: toxins accumulate, oxidative stress rises, chronic inflammation persists.
People with weak detox genes (e.g., GSTM1 null, SOD2, MTHFR) are hit especially hard.
6. Why Acid Blockers and Neutralisers Are Dangerous
PPIs, antacids, and acid neutralisers cut the first domino.
They block stomach acid, stopping amino acid liberation at the source.
Even perfect supplementation of B vitamins, magnesium, or methyl donors cannot bypass the missing methionine inflow if protein digestion is crippled.
Long-term consequence: accelerated aging, chronic fatigue, fatty liver, neurodegeneration, DNA instability.
A SOLUTION:
Taking Betaine HCl (not the same thing as Betaine) restores proper stomach acidity, which is the natural trigger for the lower esophageal sphincter (hiatus valve) to close tightly after food enters the stomach. When acid levels are too low, the valve remains relaxed, allowing food and gases to reflux upward and cause heartburn. By supplying supplemental acid, Betaine HCl helps re-establish the correct digestive signal, improves protein breakdown, and prevents reflux at its root cause rather than masking symptoms. By creating the right environment in the stomach, Betaine HCL helps it to regain it's own healthy function.
If you can't stop the antacid drugs then you HAVE to actually TAKE methionine and the other amino acids.
Gemma Henson-young
