a webpage about low stomach acid

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artteacher
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a webpage about low stomach acid

Post by artteacher »

I thought this was interesting, so I thought I'd pass it on. I'll be off the computer for a couple weeks, so see you all in May!

Love, Marsha

http://tinyurl.com/n98qq
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tex
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Post by tex »

Hi Marsha,

Hey, I've been preaching that gospel for some time now, but so far I don't think that I have many believers. Maybe you'll have better luck.

Love,
Wayne
:cowboy:

It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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Post by artteacher »

Hi Wayne,

Boy, that list sure covers a lot of symptoms that fit me. I kind of hate to experiment (why a self induce a burning bum when it happens accidentally often enough!). Many years ago I tried a combination digestive enzyme product that didn't help, but I may have to try again with more information on how to do it correctly.

Here's a website you might find interesting: I don't know if it's true, but it's interesting . . . http://www.townsendletter.com/April2006 ... 2_0406.htm

Love, Marsha
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Post by starfire »

:grin: I believe you, Wayne. Remember, I took Prilosec, then Nexuim for years. Got off it last fall by using a licorice derivitive (the name escapes me right now) to deal with the heartburn AND changing my diet (went to Paleo).

Although I fell of the Paleo wagon around Thanksgiving I still never went back to taking Nexium. After a couple of weeks on the licorice derivitive I stopped it and started using Zypan (digestive enzymes) and now I hardly ever take that either. I rarely have heartburn unless I just "ask for it". I'm sure ya'll know what I mean. :grin:

Anyway, I belive it's true about low stomach acid causing heartburn.

Love, Shirley
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
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Post by Mars »

I took enzymes for awhile but forget why I discontinued. Are they sulphur based? If so, I am allergic to sulphur.

Does anyone know if there is any correlation of low acid after having your gallbladder removed?

Mars
"Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." -- Buddha
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Post by Matthew »

Probably the most comprehensive look at the dynamics of stomach acid that I have found so far is “Why Stomach Acid Is Good for You” by Jonathan V. Wright, M.D. and Lane Lenard, Ph.D. Taking an HCI supplement can be very hazardous and and is not something that is a good idea to experiment with without first getting diagnostic reports to find if you really need them. If you don’t need them and take them anyway you can create ulcers and internal bleeding. Even if you do need them and your stomach wall has thinned to a certain point because you are not producing enough HCI it can cause a great deal of discomfort and many other medical complications. IMHO it would be best to find a doctor with a natural inclination to test you before taking much of it. If you Google “Why Stomach Acid Is Good for You” you can find many claims from curing heart burn to GERD. Like anything it is best to look at your own experience before you experiment to your own detriment

Dr. Wright recommends trying other acids first to see if it improves digestion like lemon juice, vinegar or bitters . Pancreatic Enzymes may also help reestablish HCI production without dire results.

You can find his book on Amazon or your local library or go to his web sight

http://www.tahoma-clinic.com/

I can’t go into everything his book says nor do I consider myself any kind of expert but I feel it is well worth reading.

Just do be careful since acid supplementation can do a LOT of harm if done incorrectly and a lot of good if you truly need them .

I looked into this and feel that at this point that I may have had an HCI problem but with strict adherence to a GF , trigger free diet that it corrected itself or is correcting itself. Not to say that if it is a major problem it might hasten recovery but at the same time it just might make things worseif over done.

Do be careful my friends,

To your continued recovery

Matthew
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Post by tex »

Marsha,

Hydrochloric acid is not an enzyme, and it does not functon as an enzyme.

Shirley,

Thanks for the endorsement.


Mars,

While searching for an answer to your question I came across an interesting site. Consider this quote:


"The problem in Gall Bladder disease and malfunction starts with the lack of Hydrochloric Acid in the stomach. Gastric acid is absolutely essential to normal digestive function. I have never seen a patient with “too much stomach acid”. I have seen thousands of patients without enough “stomach acid”. So the prescription of antacids by conventional doctors, is in my opinion, the perpetration of a fraud on the public. Advertisements by drug companies soliciting customers for ANTACIDS, and the drugs and medicines that interfere with the production, activation and effect of gastric acid is fraud in the inducement."

That comes from this site:

http://www.duffyslaw.com/current46.htm


Matthew,

As with all the "remedies" suggested in this forum, one should try the suggested remedy, and if it helps, experiment with the dosage rate. If it makes symptoms worse, or doesn't help, then stop taking it. No one is suggesting the indiscriminate long-term adoption of any supplementation.

While I appreciate your concern, and realize that it is always best to err on the side of caution, one or two tablets of betaine hydrochloride are not going to burn a hole in anyone's stomach. The stomach is designed to digest food, using hydrochloric acid, with a pH level of 1.5 to 2.5, which is very acid. If one is having symptoms of indigestion, then one 600 mg betaine hydrochloride tablet should be taken at the beginning of each meal for meal or two, or a day or two. If it seems to help, then after a day or so, try two tablets. It's pretty easy to tell if your digestion is better or worse. If it doesn't help, or makes the situation worse--stop taking it. What does your doctor usually say? He/she usually says, "Try this for a while, to see if it helps". Right?

Actually, antacids are alkali, and if they are strong enough, (just like strong acid), they will burn your skin, if applied to it. Lye, for example, is an alkali, the opposite of a strong acid.

The problem is, most doctors automatically prescribe an antacid for the symptoms of indigestion--they don't bother to test.

Here is an excellent article on stomach acid and digestion. Read page number 3, titled THE ACID/ALKALINE CHEMISTRY OF DIGESTION. (The rest of the article is excellent too, if anyone is interested in more information).

http://tinyurl.com/hx8md

Note especially, the comment that Most minerals, vitamins B12 and folic acid all require adequate stomach acid for absorption, and chronic antacid use can dramatically reduce the availability of these nutrients.

That said, the only time I have found it helpful to take betaine hydrochloride, is when I was recovering from a digestive system meltdown.

Wayne
:cowboy:

It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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