Download Digestion and Stomach Acid

Digestion and Stomach Acid Quick Notes
Digestion “101”
1. When you see, smell or think about food, the brain signals to begin releasing saliva
2. Two quarts are needed to lubricate the esophagus and digest a large dinner and we make
about 2-3 pints per day.
3. There are 2 types of saliva, stimulated and un-stimulated
a. Stimulated is primarily water, but
i. Almost every hormone in body can be measured via saliva
ii. It is a natural antiseptic, contains histatins to speed wound closure, it
sterilizes food, and detoxifies chemicals and renders viruses including
HIV non-infective in most cases.
iii. Contains the enzyme amylase to break down carbohydrates while in the
mouth because the pancreas releases very little amylase to finish.
1. Try to chew 30 times with each bite of food.
b. Un-stimulated is very viscous with long chains of amino acids –
bubbles/frothiness in saliva are the hallmark of proteins (over 1,000).
4. An adult’s esophagus is about 10” long and it takes about 6-8 seconds for swallowed
food to reach the stomach.
5. The Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) must relax to open to allow food to enter the
stomach. When the food does enter, the stomach contracts and the LES will tighten up
again. (Except for vomiting and belching, this is the only time the LES will open
normally.)
6. The pH of the stomach is very acidic without food (pH 1.5-3).
Functions of the stomach:
1. Storage: A small area will hold food allowing the consumption of large meals
2. Mechanical: Moves food through the different chambers that churn/grind the food (think
of your car moving through a car wash)
3. Chemical:
a. Increases acidity to almost pH 0.8 (almost pure hydrochloric acid-HCl) as the
food moves through the stomach.
i. Disinfects the stomach
ii. Kills bacteria and parasites that got by the enzymes in the mouth
iii. Activates the enzyme, pepsin, to digest proteins.
1. If pH not lower than 4, digestion of proteins stops.
2. Food allergies are reactions to only proteins…if not a protein, it is
a food sensitivity.
b. Absorb vitamins and minerals at the proper pH
i. Iron, copper, zinc, calcium, B12 and folic acid will not break down without
a low enough pH.
4. Protects itself: Produces mucous (98% water) to protect the stomach lining
5. The stomach’s lining that produces stomach acid is known as the proton pump.
a. Proton pump inhibitors include Prilosec, Prevacid, Nexium, are capable with one
pill to reduce stomach acid secretion by 90-95% for the better part of the day.
b. Adverse effects include diarrhea, skin reactions, and headache.
Karen Dvornich, NTP, CGP
Digestion and Stomach Acid Quick Notes
Deficiencies: (Low stomach acid) – When poor stomach function is improved, absorption of
nearly every nutrient is improved.
• If the pH is not acidic enough (pH> 3), food sits in the stomach and becomes rancid. Gas,
bloating, belching, and acid reflux are the result.
• The pyloric sphincter (at the other end of the stomach) is forced to open before it should
o The pancreas does not receive a signal to secrete bicarbonate solution
o Undigested and “acidic” food move into the alkaline intestines (duodenum).
o This can lead to duodenal ulcers. (Gastric ulcers often occur in people whose acid
levels are low…most initiated by aspirin and other NSAIDS (non-steroid antiinflammatory over the counter drugs).
• Proteins and fats are not fully broken down thus too large for enzymatic digestion
• Carbohydrates: If not fully chewed and broken down by enzymes in the mouth, the
remaining undigested starch can enter the body via a “leaky gut” or feed bacteria (Candida),
yeasts, and parasites further down the digestive tract.
• The pressure may force the LES to open allowing acidic food back into the esophagus (e.g.,
heart burn), especially if lying down.
o A hiatus hernia (stomach begins to squeeze through the diaphragm) can occur.
• Antacid, acid blockers will raise the pH to 5 or more
o Long-term use can create excess calcium in the blood, an elevated blood pH and
kidney failure.
o Acid blocking drugs are either histamine blockers or proton pump inhibitors.
Histamine blockers (e.g., Tagamet, Zantac, Pepcid) side effects interfere with the
metabolism of estradiol and testosterone, which in some men, has resulted in breast
enlargement and sexual dysfunction.
o As the acid barrier begins to break down via drugs, the stomach becomes vulnerable
to bacterial invasions
 Friendly bacteria move up from the small intestine with now a more alkaline
environment making it vulnerable to Salmonella, cholera, and dysentery
 Common bacteria constantly enter the body through the nose and mouth and
without strong stomach acid to wipe them out, can interfere with digestion and
may allow salmonella and e.coli to colonize.
• Stomach acid deficiencies are also associated with iron deficiency anemia, osteoporosis,
eczema, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, vitiligo, and tooth and periodontal diseases
• Women develop one of two signs: cracking, chipping, peeling of fingernails or overall hair
loss.
Key Vitamins, Minerals and Other Nutrients
Iron
• If we eat a lot of meat, we absorb iron no matter how much acid our stomachs are secreting.
• Iron that comes from grains, vegetables and from iron fortified foods is usually much harder
to absorb and need enough stomach acid
Calcium
• The amount of calcium that gets absorbed depends on both the source of calcium and the
pH of the stomach.
Karen Dvornich, NTP, CGP
Digestion and Stomach Acid Quick Notes
Folic acid
• Folate declines with age; it is vital for keeping cardiovascular system healthy
• Few people ingest enough of the vitamin in their normal diet and low stomach acid
interferes with folate absorption.
• Sources: Green vegetables, berries, cantaloupe, oranges are examples
Vitamin B12
• Needed for normal nerve activity and brain function.
• In children low stomach acidity along with poor absorption of B12 has been linked to
asthma.
• Studies show that taking Prilosec inhibits the absorption, but it may take 3-4 years to
show due to the large stores of B12 vitamins.
• Sources: Meat, oily fish, egg yolk, yogurt, periodic injections for vegans or vegetarians
Zinc
• Necessary for stomach acid to be formed
• Long-term use of antacids decreased zinc by 50% and can lead to macular degeneration
and loss of vision.
• Sources: Meat, oysters, herring, poultry, pecans, Brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, mustard
Most people with reflux are led to believe they have too much stomach acid, but think about this:
If we have too much stomach acid while we are young, and begin losing it when we reach forty,
then why don’t young adults have acid reflux?
Stomach acid depleted by:
Aging: Most have difficulty in digesting meat. In older
cultures eating pickles with food was used as a precautionary
measure to prevent this. The use of vinegar in salads has the
same effect, as long as the dressing tastes sour. Pickled
(fermented) side dishes such as sauerkraut and beets aid in
digestion.
Excess food intake, chemical use, antacids, and stress
Drinks to increase stomach acid 20-30 minutes before meals:
• The juice of half a lemon squeezed in water.
• Apple cider vinegar (1 tbsp.) in a glass of warm water with 1 tsp. of honey.
Digestive bitters (If the stomach lining is severely atrophied, bitters may not work)
• Take bitters 15 minutes before a meal and in very small doses (“straight” or dissolved in as
little water as possible), just enough to evoke a strong taste of bitterness. (You must taste,
rather than just swallow, in order to be effective)
• Gentian root or Wormwood (Artemisia) are the most commonly used: 5-10 drops of the 1:5
tinctures in about 20ml of water
• Dandelion root, yellow dock, milk thistle, goldenseal root, globe artichoke are other
commonly used bitter herbs.
Karen Dvornich, NTP, CGP
Digestion and Stomach Acid Quick Notes
Pancreatic enzymes play a significant role in digestion. If pancreatic enzyme secretion isn’t
stimulated due to low stomach acid, hydrochloric acid (HCl) supplementation may be all that is
required.
Deficiencies of pancreatic enzymes include:
• Indigestion or flatulence beginning an hour or more after meals is often a sign that
pancreatic enzyme secretion is not what it should be.
• Greasy or smelly stools
• Dry flaky skin
• Small, hard bumps on the back of the arm
• Impaired dark adaption (“night blindness”)
• Deficiencies associated with fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K)
If stomach acid levels are very low, we may be partially starving ourselves, even if our diet is
excellent or we take supplements. It is what we ABSORB that counts.
14 = Lye
13 = Oven cleaner
12 = Household bleach
11 = Household ammonia
10 = Milk of Magnesia
9 = Baking soda
8 = Seawater
Above is more alkaline
pH 7 = NEUTRAL (pure water, human blood)
Below is more acidic
6 = Urine, milk
5 = Black coffee, rain water
4 = Tomato juice
3 = Vinegar, wine, cola
2 = Stomach juices
1 = Sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid
Karen Dvornich, NTP, CGP