11/04/2025
๐ฆ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ต ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฑ (๐ต๐๐ฑ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฐ๐ต๐น๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฑ, ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐๐น) isnโt just a digestive fluid โ itโs your first line of defense, your nutrient extractor, and your enzyme activator.
Itโs one of the most misunderstood secretions in the entire body. Without enough of it, digestion weakens, nutrient absorption declines, and pathogens survive the journey into the gut.
It sets the stage for everything that happens downstream in your digestive system.
From the moment you chew food, a domino chain begins โ and stomach acid is the trigger. If acid is too low โ a condition called hypochlorhydria โ everything else falters: enzyme release, bile flow, motility, and even immune activation.
And itโs more common than most think. Stress, aging, antacids, low protein intake, trauma, and infections all lower stomach acid production. Hypothyroidism โ even mild or undiagnosed โ is one of the most overlooked root causes of low stomach acid. Thyroid hormones directly stimulate the stomach lining to produce hydrochloric acid. Without enough T3, your digestion slows, bile flow stalls, and the vagus nerve weakens โ all reducing acid production.
๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ถ๐ป๐ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ด๐ฒ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฑ, ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ปโ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฑ, ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐๐ต๐ผ๐ด๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐น๐ถ๐ฝ ๐๐ต๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต, ๐น๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ผ:
โข Bloating, burping, and indigestion โ especially after meals with protein or fat
โข Vitamin B12 and iron deficiency โ which depend heavily on stomach acid for absorption and binding
โข Leaky gut and food sensitivities โ undigested proteins irritate the gut lining, triggering inflammation and immune responses
โข Gut infections (SIBO, H. pylori, parasites, candida) โ without acid, the door is wide open
โข Fatigue, brain fog, and poor immunity โ due to nutrient loss, microbial imbalances, and toxic buildup
And yet, whatโs the standard treatment for acid-related discomfort?
๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ผ๐ป ๐ฝ๐๐บ๐ฝ ๐ถ๐ป๐ต๐ถ๐ฏ๐ถ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ (๐ฃ๐ฃ๐๐) โ drugs like omeprazole, pantoprazole, and esomeprazole โ which shut down stomach acid production almost completely.
These were meant for short-term use, but many people stay on them for years โ unknowingly suppressing their entire digestive fire and terrain defense system.
They may relieve symptoms, but they do so by silencing a foundational function โ not by healing the root cause.
Long-term PPI use is now linked to:
โข Magnesium and calcium deficiency โ cramps, bone loss, heart issues โ acid is required to absorb these minerals, and chronic depletion leads to osteoporosis, arrhythmias, and weakness
โข B12 and iron deficiency โ anemia and nervous system problems โ leading to depression, memory loss, and even neuropathy
โข Increased risk of gut infections like C. difficile โ because bacteria arenโt neutralized in the stomach
โข Higher rates of pneumonia, because microbes from the mouth or esophagus survive and spread
โข Poor digestion โ chronic inflammation โ immune dysfunction โ a weakened gut wall and lymphatic congestion allow toxins and irritants to spill into circulation
If you're dealing with heartburn, indigestion, or reflux, the root cause is often too little stomach acid, not too much.
That uncomfortable "burn" is usually from fermentation and pressure buildup โ not from true excess acid.
๐ง ๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฏ๐ผ๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฆ๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฎ?
Many people reach for baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) as a โnaturalโ antacid โ but this creates more long-term harm than help.
Yes, it can bring temporary relief by neutralizing acid and reducing that burning feeling. But it also raises the stomachโs pH too high, shutting down the very signal needed to digest protein, absorb minerals, and trigger bile and enzyme release.
Your stomach is supposed to be very acidic โ around a pH of 1.5 to 3. When you push it closer to neutral with baking soda, you paralyze your digestive sequence.
Over time, this can worsen nutrient malabsorption, disrupt the gut microbiome, and make you more vulnerable to infections like SIBO and candida.
Baking soda is fine as a cleaning agent or in baking โ but it should not be used regularly to "alkalize" the body or buffer stomach acid. The body has its own finely tuned pH systems in place. Disrupting them in the wrong area (like the stomach) can have ripple effects.
๐งช ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ โ ๐ ๐๐๐๐-๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
๐ฅ ๐. ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ญ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ฌ: ๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ
Healthy stomach acid:
โข Breaks down proteins into absorbable amino acids
โข Activates pepsin (enzyme for protein digestion)
โข Triggers bile release and pancreatic enzymes (via CCK)
โข Ionizes key minerals (magnesium, zinc, calcium, selenium)
โข Absorbs B12 via intrinsic factor
โข Sterilizes incoming food: killing bacteria, parasites, fungi, and viruses
โข Prevents SIBO by keeping the small intestine acidic
โข Prevents reflux by ensuring food empties properly
๐ Low acid = fermentation, bloating, malabsorption, food sensitivities, infection, and reflux.
Without enough acid, your digestive system becomes sluggish, vulnerable, and imbalanced. Itโs like trying to run a factory with no electricity.
๐ฝ ๐. ๐๐ซ๐-๐๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฆ๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฎ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
Stomach acid is triggered before food even enters your mouth โ it's part of the cephalic phase of digestion. These practices naturally ramp it up:
โข Smell, savor, and think about your food before eating
โข Sit down to eat in a parasympathetic (โrest and digestโ) state
โข Donโt eat while rushed, angry, or distracted โ this shuts off acid production
โข Try deep breathing or gratitude before meals to engage the vagus nerve
โข Start with a bitter food or herb (see below)
๐ง Mindful eating isnโt trendy โ itโs biological. Your nervous system must feel safe for digestion to activate.
๐ฟ ๐. ๐๐ฌ๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ
Bitters are herbs that stimulate your tongue's bitter receptors and kickstart digestive secretions:
โข Gentian root
โข Dandelion root
โข Artichoke leaf
โข Orange peel
โข Angelica root
๐งด How to Use:
โข 10โ15 drops of a bitters tincture 10โ20 minutes before meals
โข Can also drink as a tea or chew bitter greens (e.g., arugula, endive)
Bitters are especially helpful for those who donโt feel hungry often or struggle with sluggish digestion.
๐ฅ ๐. ๐๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐ซ ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ซ ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ
These natural acids can gently restore stomach acidity:
โข 1 tbsp raw apple cider vinegar or juice of half a lemon
โข Dilute in warm water and sip 15 minutes before meals
โข Optional: Add a pinch of sea salt to enhance chloride and trace minerals
โ ๏ธ Not ideal if you have active ulcers or esophageal erosion โ heal those first.
๐ Bonus tip: These can also stimulate liver bile flow, improving fat digestion.
๐ ๐. ๐๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ โ ๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฒ
Some people need direct support for HCl:
โข Betaine HCl with pepsin is the go-to
โข Start with 1 capsule mid-meal and increase 1 at a time until you feel warmth in the belly, then reduce by 1 (your ideal dose)
โข Only take HCl with protein-containing meals
โข Do not use if you have active ulcers, gastritis, or esophageal damage
๐งฌ Bonus: Digestive enzymes (with protease, lipase, and amylase) also support breakdown while you rebuild acid production. Enzymes work throughout the digestive tract and can be a gentler option if HCl is too strong at first.
๐ ๐. ๐๐ฏ๐จ๐ข๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ฌ๐ ๐๐๐ข๐-๐๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ
Even healthy people unintentionally weaken stomach acid. Avoid:
โข Drinking large amounts of water with meals (dilutes acid)
โข Eating when stressed (shuts off vagus nerve stimulation)
โข PPI and antacid overuse (blocks acid at the root)
โข Frequent snacking (prevents full acid rebound and rest)
โข Low salt diets โ sodium chloride provides the chloride for HCl
โข Processed foods and sugar โ they weaken digestive signaling and cause dysbiosis
๐ฆ ๐. ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ & ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ ๐๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ
Infections that damage the stomach lining suppress HCl long term:
โข H. pylori โ deactivates parietal cells that make HCl
โข Candida overgrowth โ releases alkaline byproducts
โข Mold exposure โ disrupts gut-brain signaling
โข Parasites โ suppress acid and disrupt stomach motility
โ
Consider a GI-MAP, comprehensive stool test, or organic acids test to confirm root causes and microbial imbalance.
๐ง ๐. ๐๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐
Your vagus nerve controls acid secretion. Weak vagal tone = poor digestion.
Strengthen it with:
โข Gargling or humming daily
โข Cold exposure (splash cold water on face or try cold plunges)
โข Deep diaphragmatic breathing
โข Singing, chanting, or vagus toning apps
โข Tongue scraping and nasal breathing
๐ถ The vagus nerve is your digestive rhythm conductor โ train it like a muscle.
๐ง ๐. ๐๐๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ก ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ซ๐๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฎ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
Low HCl = low mineral absorption โ vicious cycle. You need:
โข Zinc โ Crucial for hydrochloric acid (HCl) production and tissue repair. If taken in supplements glycinate or picolinate form is best - balance with copper.
โ Food sources: Grass-fed beef, oysters, pumpkin seeds, lamb, chickpeas.
โข Sodium chloride (salt) โ Provides the chloride your body converts into HCl.
โ Food sources: Unrefined sea salt, Himalayan pink salt, celery, beets, seaweed.
โข Magnesium โ Supports parietal cell function and vagus nerve tone. If taken in supplements - glycinate or malate form.
โ Food sources: Pumpkin seeds, spinach, avocado, almonds, black beans, cacao.
โข Potassium โ Regulates stomach secretions and cellular electrolyte balance.
โ Food sources: Coconut water, white potatoes, bananas, oranges, Swiss chard, acorn squash.
โข Copper + Vitamin B6 โ Needed for enzyme systems and nervous system communication.
โ Food sources: Liver (especially beef liver), sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, spirulina, cacao, chickpeas, and wild-caught salmon.
๐ฅฃ Try mineral-rich bone broth, adrenal cocktails, or fulvic mineral drops.
๐ฐ ๐๐. ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ ๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ฐ๐๐๐ง ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฌ
Stomach acid needs to build up between meals. Grazing all day:
โข Keeps acid low
โข Prevents full digestion
โข Leads to SIBO and fermentation
โฐ Aim for 3 solid meals per day, spaced 4โ5 hours apart, and stop eating 3 hours before bed to allow full stomach clearance.
๐ฌ ๐
๐ข๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก๐ญ๐ฌ
Stomach acid is not your enemy โ itโs a foundational component of your terrain. From digestion to immunity, nutrient absorption to microbial defense, restoring healthy HCl is a root-cause solution with ripple effects across your whole body.
If youโve ever dealt with fatigue, bloating, food reactions, or recurrent infections โ donโt forget to ask:
๐๐ฆ ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐๐๐ข๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฅ ๐ฆ๐ฒ ๐ฌ๐ฒ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ฆ?
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