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Hypochlorhydria: low stomach acid tips and treatment

What are hypochlorhydria and low stomach acid

In this article, we will outline what hypochlorhydria means and give you low stomach acid tips to heal from this condition.

Your stomach is the core of your being so if you regularly suffer from an upset stomach or pain, it can be debilitating.  What causes stomach pain and indigestion? More importantly, what can be done to heal an ailing stomach? And how does low stomach production can result in hair loss? Hydrochloric acid (HCL) plays a significant role in destroying harmful bacteria in the stomach. Secretion of HCL activates pepsinogen and converts it into the active enzyme pepsin.

Hypochlorhydria is a condition in which the sufferer does not produce enough hydrochloric acid (HCL) in their stomach. I’ve suffered from this condition too. The acid triggers the activation of pepsinogen, converting it into the active enzyme pepsin. A shortage of this gastric secretion can have a dramatic effect on your digestion and also on your health. Over time this may contribute to malnutrition, malabsorption of nutrients and inflammatory skin conditions.

Hypochlorhydria: Low levels of hydrochloric acid (HCL) adversely impact your digestion and health

Problems arise when the body doesn’t produce enough hydrochloric acid to do its job (hypochlorhydria). A shortage of hydrochloric acid can have an adverse impact on your digestion and ultimately your health. Untreated, hypochlorhydria can lead to malnutrition, leaky gut, malabsorption of nutrients, inflammatory skin conditions and auto-immune diseases.

The purpose of HCL is to kill harmful bacteria. With age, the levels of HCL usually decrease, and over 50% of those over the age of 60 have low levels of HCL in the stomach.

Achlorhydria is even worse, in this condition the person’s body produces no acid at all.

Hypochlorhydria and its relation to Hair loss, malnutrition, and autoimmune conditions

Hypochlorhydria is a condition where the stomach doesn’t produce enough stomach acids (HCL) Hydrochloric acid (HCL) plays a significant role in destroying harmful bacteria in the stomach.  Secretion of HCL activates pepsinogen and converts it into the active enzyme pepsin.

Problems arise when the body doesn’t produce enough hydrochloric acid to do its job (Hypochlorhydria). A shortage of hydrochloric acid can have an adverse impact on your digestion and ultimately your health.  Untreated, hypochlorhydria can lead to malnutrition, leaky gut, hair loss, malabsorption of nutrients, inflammatory skin conditions and other auto-immune conditions.

Anyone suffering from hypochlorhydria will eventually experience hair loss.

Hair is often sacrificed for the good of other parts of the body deemed more necessary for life and survival.

This might sound a little bit odd, but stomach acid is good for you. Without it, your health deteriorates and you could suffer from hair loss.

I’ve suffered from hypochlorhydria too and taking HCL plus Pepsin saved my digestion and made my protein meals more pleasurable. I believe my stomach and digestive system were most likely under high stress from the things I did when I was very young. I suffered from my eating disorders, and I purged too. My eating disorders lasted for 17 years.

Contributing factors to hypochlorhydria

Age can contribute to the onset of hypochlorhydria and it’s been estimated that 50% of individuals over the age of 60 experience low levels of HCL in the stomach.

Hypochlorhydria? take a look at the symptoms below

Symptoms of low stomach acid

If you suffer from all or several of these symptoms you could very well be dealing with low stomach acid.

Acid reflux

Bloating

Constipation

Diarrhea

Gas

Indigestion

GERD

Nutrient deficiencies

Malabsorption

Undigested food in your stool

Unable to sleep (hours) after protein meals

Low stomach acid tips: treating Hypochlorhydria with natural supplements

One common recommendation for countering hypochlorhydria is taking hydrochloric acid supplements.  These supplements mimic the acids naturally produced in your stomach and enable you to digest food again so that your symptoms subside.

To treat low stomach acid look into Betaine HCL, which helps individuals with low stomach acid and, according to all reports, it works very well. Just remember only to use Natural Betaine HCL that includes Pepsin too.

HypochlorhydriaUse HCL with Caution

As with anything that you’re putting into your body, use Betaine HCL carefully.  If you miscalculate it, your symptoms could become worse.

If you’re already on an anti-inflammatory medicine, it is advised not to take HCL.  This includes medications like aspirin, Ibuprofen, Indocin and prednisone corticosteroids.  Also, avoid Motrin, Advil, and other NSAIDs.  These drugs weaken the lining of the gastrointestinal tract.  Using an HCL on top of that could cause further damage and bleeding.

Your first steps towards healing is finding a practitioner that fully understand low stomach acid.  Ask questions and also ask for testimonials.  Work with them to find the right solution for you.

If your stomach is too sensitive for HCL, explore the use of digestive bitters.  They are natural, safe and they work towards returning your gastrointestinal tract to a healthy state.

Remember to take Betaine HCL supplements that contain Pepsin

To treat low stomach acid, you specifically need betaine HCL that contains pepsin.  Some have pepsin and others don’t so be sure to check so that you don’t go a futile journey with a supplement that lacks all of the enzymes you need.

Take HCL supplements with Protein to combat hypochlorhydria

Stomach acid is usually secreted naturally in when proteins have been consumed and aren’t needed when non-proteins are consumed.  Use this information as a guide for when to take your betaine HCL with pepsin.  To avoid stomach pains, only take betaine HCL when you have eaten protein.

Hydrochloric acid (HCL) plays a significant role in destroying harmful bacteria in the stomach. Secretion of HCL activates pepsinogen and converts it into the active enzyme pepsin.

Problems arise when the body doesn’t produce enough hydrochloric acid to do its job (hypochlorhydria). A shortage of hydrochloric acid can have an adverse impact on your digestion and ultimately your health. Untreated, hypochlorhydria can lead to malnutrition, leaky gut, malabsorption of nutrients, inflammatory skin conditions and auto-immune diseases.

Anyone suffering from malnutrition may eventually experience hair loss. Hair is often sacrificed for the good of other parts of the body deemed more necessary for life and survival. This might sound a little bit odd, but stomach acid is good for you. Without it, your health deteriorates.

Age can contribute to the onset of hypochlorhydria and it’s been estimated that 50% of individuals over the age of 60 experience low levels of HCL in the stomach.

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