Hydrochloric Acid: It Does a Body Good

How important is hydrochloric acid to general well-being?  Turns out very important. Dr. Rob D'Aquila explains that "A need for hydrochloric acid supplementation is definitely one of the most common things I see in patients. Especially those patients who complain of digestive difficulties like bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, yeast overgrowth (even vaginal), and even heartburn. Additionally, patients who complain that they “lost the taste” for meat tend to need HCl as well. Lastly, it should be investigated in everyone with mineral deficiency symptoms, especially osteoporosis."

Nutritionist and Certified Trainer, Brad Sly, observes, "The digestive system is really the corner stone of our wellbeing, as it is involved in so many processes. If our digestive system is in order, we feel great, we can perform at the level we want, and we can push ourselves to make bigger and better gains in the gym. If our gut health is poor, we can end up with impaired immune and nervous systems, and it can also wreak havoc with our hormonal function throughout the body."

He made an interesting point about coffee, which I had suspected, and that is that the caffeine renders the gut more permeable and can . . . can lead to a leaky gut.  Not good.  Not good at all.

WHAT ROLE ZINC?

Both Sly and D'Aquila note the importance of zinc in the repair, maintenance, and formation of HCL.

D'Aquila explains that zinc plays an important role in the formation of hydrochloric acid, ". . . it takes more energy to make HCl in the body than any other chemical. Additionally, the mineral zinc is absolutely necessary to make it. Hydrochloric acid production is formed by the interaction of carbon dioxide and water, which is mediated by an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase, which is zinc-dependent. As a result, I always supplement zinc when I find a patient needs HCl, and then eventually wean them off the HCl. By the way, a generally accepted reliable indicator of the need for more zinc is white spots on the finger nails. I can’t find conclusive scientific evidence for this, however, I’ve had personal experience with it and also with my patients."

He finishes by saying that the best way to fix HCI deficiency is that ". . . 90% of the time, the patient must alter their diet. Very often, HCl supplementation is one of the main solutions." 

HOW TO REPAIR THE GUT?

Sly recommends the following. 

"In this first step we remove the offending foods and toxins from your diet that could be acting as stressors on your system. This means caffeine, alcohol, processed foods, bad fats, and any other foods you think may be causing issues, like gluten and dairy. All of these all irritate the gut in some form and create an inflammatory response."

Though not surprised I was disappointed to read this.  Not for any perceived or tested inaccuracy but for the inclusion of dairy as a stressor. Yes, I've heard how dairy is inflammatory, but I'd always thought that at least in its purer forms that it was actually beneficial for your immune system.  Must be a kind of inflammatory but perhaps in certain amounts or for certain conditions it is beneficial.

 

He continues, "The next step is to begin to repair the gut and heal the damaged intestinal lining. You do this by consuming an unprocessed diet and giving your body time to rest by providing it with substances that are known to heal the gut, like L-glutamine, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, antioxidants (in the form of vitamins A, C, and E), quercitin, aloe vera, and turmeric."

FOOD REMEDIES FOR THE GUT

Marilee Nelson explains that eating ". . . unpasteurized unheated salt-free sauerkraut . . . helps to raise stomach acid "if" it is too low, and it lowers stomach acid "if" it is too high. Eating 1/4 to 1/2 cup of sauerkraut with meals is very helpful to the digestive system. I recommend making your own or buying Rejuvenative Foods.

Here is a second article on the importance of this acid and how to rebuild it.