ACID REFLUX / HEARTBURN
Most people think that the cause of their acid reflux is too much stomach acid, but the majority of people suffering from acid indigestion and heartburn are actually suffering from something called Hypochlorhydria, which means that they do not have enough stomach acid.
It may feel like too much acid during an attack, and the advertisements may tell you that it is too much acid, but it is usually not.
NORMAL DIGESTION
Your stomach is an acid producing machine. The parenchymal cells that line the stomach produce an acid called hydrochloric acid, or HCL. These cells also release a substance called Intrinsic Factor, which is neccessary for the absorption of vitamin B12. Nature designed your stomach to produce these strong acids, whose purpose is to begin the digestive process, especially of proteins. These acids break down the food into smaller particles. Sufficient amounts of these stomach acids are rquired to signal to the small intestine to open up, receive the contents of the stomach, and begin the next stage of digestion. Minerals, such as calcium, cannot be digested and absorbed without the presence of strong stomach acid.
A pH of 2, which is very acidic, is neccessary for the stomach to trigger the pancreas to begin production and release of it's enzymes for sugar digestion, and the liver and gall bladder to engage bile flow for fat digestion.
WHAT GOES WRONG?
Due to aging, alcohol use, and the typical western diet of highly processed junk food, the parenchymal cells become damaged over time and slough off the stomach lining. This hypochlorhydria sets the stage for the acid reflux problem.
INDIGESTION
Without the presence of an adequate amount of acid, the small intestine does not receive the signal to open up and allow the stomach to empty. So the food sits in the dark, warm, and moist environment of the stomach and starts to rot and ferment in a process called putrefaction.
When the signal to open up the small intestine is too weak, the contents of the stomach may try to escape in the other direction. It is the acids of the fermentation process of the rotting food that back up into the esophogus and produce the feling of acid indigestion
ANTACIDS
Over-the-counter and prescription antacids temporarily make the symptoms stop, but also make the problem worse. Antacids stop the digestive process, and the partially-digested, rotting food is forced through the rest of the digestive tract.
Antacids neutralize what little acid you have left in a process called alkalinization. Your stomach acid is essential for proper digestion and absorption of food. It is probably not a good idea to shut down digestion and neutralize stomach acid.
Since stomach acid is neded to absorb minerals, antacids and acid-stopping medications reduce your ability to absorb them, especially calcium. Trying to increase your calcium intake with Tums is like trying to increase your fireplace flame with water. It just does not work.
Initially, the class of drugs known as acid-stopping medication, was only permited to be taken for a six-week period, and were used for ulcers and a disease called GERD. Now they are used for months and years at a time, and are routinely prescribed for any and all gastrointestinal symptoms.
TOXIC BOWEL
As this condition continues, your digestive tract becomes weakened and increasingly toxic. Your digestive tract has not only been hindered from the ability to absorb nurients, but it's toxic contents are slowly poisoning and burdening your liver, your colon, and affecting your entire system.
read about ileocecal valve syndrome here
