The Digestion Connection:
Low Stomach Acid Can Be the Cause of Heartburn

Robban Ariel Sica, MD is an integrative physician who understands the necessary “ins and outs” of proper digestion. She has helped many people to overcome their digestive issues. According to Dr. Sica, proper digestion is critical to good health.

 

A common malady Dr. Sica addresses in her practice is acid reflux or heartburn. In the case of acid reflux, low stomach acid may be the culprit. There is a misconception that having too much acid in the stomach would cause heartburn, but in fact the opposite is true. Pepsin and Hydrochloric acid in the stomach are necessary to break down food and digest it. Many older people have the stomach issues because they produce much less stomach acid than a younger person. While normal levels of the acid can neutralize or kill “bad” bacteria and mold like Candida albicans and pneumonia, low stomach acid provides a breeding ground for such bacteria and disease-causing yeast. Seeing as a higher level of acid content in the stomach is healthy, taking antacids for heartburn does not work. It has also been found that taking antacids increases the chances of developing bacterial pneumonia because they lower the acid content within the stomach.

A stomach high in acid will absorb Vitamin B12 which is extremely necessary for good digestion. A Vitamin B-12 deficiency can be attributed to memory loss, chronic fatigue, dizziness, depression, moodiness, headaches and abnormal gait. Low stomach acid will also adversely affect calcium, magnesium and zinc levels. Calcium and magnesium are both necessary for healthy skin, strong bones, fat digestion, blood clotting, cognitive function and cell communication. Calcium is essential for lowering cholesterol levels. Signs of calcium deficiency include depression, muscle cramps, loss of memory, painful joints, insomnia and nervousness. Magnesium is necessary for memory, energy production, prevention of soft tissue calcification as well as aiding in the absorption of calcium and potassium. Zinc is essential for a healthy immune system. Zinc also contributes to healthy reproductive organs, formation of collagen, protein synthesis and wound healing.

pH levels in the digestive tract are also greatly affected by low stomach acid. If the pH is off, the body cannot digest food properly. Inadequate digestion can cause malabsorption, irritable bowel syndrome, bloating, flatulence, stomach gas, burning and belching after meals, indigestion, nausea and various food allergies. Thinning, dull hair and cracked or peeling fingernails are also signs of digestion issues.

The optimal pH in the stomach should be 0.5 to 2. Testing this pH level can be done with the Heidelberg pH capsule. This capsule is actually a monitoring device which when swallowed sends continuous digital pH readings while it travels from the esophagus to the stomach and then on to the small intestine. These readings are displayed on a Heidelberg machine and simultaneously recorded as a hard copy on a pH Gastrogram so that there is a permanent record of the findings which can then be interpreted by the physician.

According to Robban Sica, MD, there are ways to improve acid reflux and digestion with some simple tips.

It is essential to drink 1 to 2 glasses of water before a meal. This will aid in absorbing digested nutrients in the food. It is also helpful to consume vegetables marinated in vinegar prior to a meal. This will increase the acid in the stomach before the larger meal. Incorporating foods containing betaine such as broccoli, beets and spinach can also help to increase stomach acid levels.

Also, it is extremely important to chew food well with plenty of saliva. Saliva plays a very important role in healthy digestion because it contains digestive enzymes and is critical for normal digestion.

Robban A. Sica, MD ABHM is an Integrative Physician and Author. Dr. Sica successfully combines preventive and integrative medicine in combination with assessments in emotional, physical, social and spiritual aspects of health.

Dr. Sica is the founder, president and medical director of The Center for the Healing Arts, PC in Orange, CT.