About half the population worldwide suffers from a functional gastrointestinal disorder. Some of these include heartburn, acid reflux, chronic constipation, bloating, and irritable bowel. According to a recent study, these disorders are linked a significantly lower quality of life.



More than twenty percent of people in the US experience reflux symptoms. Some will self prescribe while others will visit a health care provider. Either way, most will end up misdiagnosed. They'll be diagnosed with too much stomach acid, when the reverse is most likely true.



You may have started taking over the counter antacids because you had indigestion. It may have even led you to visit your physician. Your doctor may have prescribed a PPI that is causing you to experience unpleasant side effects. More than half of American adults use over the counter antacids.



Of these users, seventy five percent take more than six doses of antacids per week. Repeated use has not eliminated the problem and often leads to taking stronger acid blockers, or PPIs, which come with side effects and health risks in the future.



What Are PPIs?



PPIs reduce the production of acid by blocking the enzyme in the wall of the stomach that produces acid. Doctors often prescribe these acid blockers when a patient presents with heartburn, acid reflux or even stomach pain. These prescriptions are commonly written without medical tests or proof of necessity.



We’ve been trained to listen to and respect doctors to the point that we ignore the signals the body sends and blindly trust medical providers. Even when they write a prescription without performing tests to determine if they are necessary.



Yet studies consistently show that proton pump inhibitors are being overprescribed worldwide in both primary and secondary care. Between 25% and 70% of patients taking these drugs have no appropriate indication. (1) Not only is this a waste of money, but it also comes at significant risk to health.



HCL Guard and the other Healthy Gut supplements have helped me restore my energy. They've allowed many others find relief from uncomfortable digestive symptoms. Steven was kind enough to offer $15 off your first order to all of the "That Organic Mom" audience! The coupon expires Aug 31st so make sure you get some of these life changing products and take advantage of the offer! Rebecca




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Risks of Blocking Stomach Acid



What are the risk factors of blocking stomach acid? Because we all need stomach acid and many who are taking acid reducers have the reverse problem, these tend to lead to more problems in the future. Blocking stomach acid when you likely already have too little creates more distress.



The risks include dementia, Alzheimers, nutritional deficiencies that may lead to osteoporosis. Blocking stomach acid may result in a higher risk of developing kidney stones, and an even increased risk of chronic kidney disease.



Long term use of acid blockers to lower stomach acid can also lead to SIBO (Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth.) And that's not all.



According to Dr. Thomas Sehested, the leader of a study by the American Society of Nephrology (ASN):“… We would recommend that people should not take these drugs unless there is a clear indication for them. Many people are taking them unnecessarily or they are continuing to take them long-term when they don’t need to. I would urge doctors to review their patients on PPIs and look at why they are taking these drugs and consider whether they really need them or if they could take a lower dose.”If this new research isn’t enough to make you consider a more natural option for managing your heartburn, take a look at some of the other dangers of PPIs:– Long term use of PPIs has been found to increase the risk of gastrointestinal infections, osteoporosis, and pneumonia.– Long term use of PPIs has been associated with higher risk of developing dementia.– Blocking the stomach from making hydrochloric acid can decrease your body’s ability to absorb certain nutrients, including calcium, folic acid, iron, magnesium, and vitamin B12.– Although many people (including physicians) believe that PPIs will reduce the risk of getting esophageal cancer, recent research has found that long term use of PPIs may actually increase the risk of developing cancer of the esophagus.– People may become “addicted” to PPIs. This is because long term use lead to a problem called “rebound hyperacidity,” which essentially means that when the drug is stopped, the heartburn comes raging back… stronger than it ever was before.– Taking PPIs does nothing to treat the underlying causes of heartburn. Feeling better temporarily often leads people to ignore these underlying factors, including obesity, and makes them less likely to makes changes to their diet and physical activity regimens.



Misdiagnosed and Misprescribed Acid Blockers



What if the cause of your heartburn was not too much stomach acid? What if the problem was low stomach acid? This is extremely common.



Most primary care physicians will prescribe an acid blocker first rather than test the ph level of your stomach. Writing a prescription that is typically covered by health insurance is easier than a referral to a gastroenterology expert which may or may not be covered.



Even though millions are diagnosed with acid reflux, it is still commonly misunderstood and frequently misdiagnosed. In fact, Steve, the founder of Healthy Gut, uncovers the mystery surrounding the billions spent on PPIs (Proton Pump Inhibitors) that he suggests can only add up to one word: malpractice. (5)



You may think that stomach acid splashing up into the esophagus means you have too much stomach acid. However, it is more commonly caused by too little.



Imagine if improving your gut health and making a few simple lifestyle changes would eliminate that burning sensation and other symptoms? It’s time to rethink the problem of stomach acid as well as how reflux, heartburn, and other digestion issues are treated.




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6xMX2V_Avc&t=13s




Symptoms of Low Stomach Acid



Low stomach acid is more common than we know and often an under-diagnosed condition that leads to other health issues. There are a variety of causes, however, age, stress, and medication use are among the top. In addition, Stomach surgery can lead to low stomach acid.



Common symptoms and disorders of low stomach acid:



HeartburnGERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) when the esophageal sphincter does not seal tightly)Indigestion and bloatingBurping, belching, or gas (flatulence) after mealsExcessive fullness or discomfort after mealsConstipation and/or diarrheaDigestive issuesChronic intestinal infectionsUndigested food in stoolsFood allergies, intolerances, and sensitivitiesAcneChronic fatigueMineral and nutrient deficiencies (including iron and/or vitamin B12 deficiency)Dry skin and hair or hair lossWeak or cracked nailsAsthmaDepressionOsteoporosisAny autoimmune disease diagnosis



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Diagnosed With Hypochlorhydria



While doctors rarely suggest testing, I was diagnosed by a functional medicine doctor. Because he knew about my diet, the logical conclusion was that I was not absorbing nutrients.



This was 2006, and after a couple of years on the Raw Vegan diet, my body was depleted of Vitamin B-12, Iron, and necessary secretions to digest a regular meal. As confirmed by my doctor, I was producing little to no stomach acid.



As Steve mentions in the podcast episode, there are different tests your doctor can perform to determine if you have low or high stomach acid. My doctor used the Heidelberg Stomach Acid Test which is a well-documented and accurate test. (2)



This test works by using a small capsule with a specific wireless electronic transmitter that records the pH of the stomach as you drink a solution with small amounts of baking soda.  Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate which has hydroxide (OH-) ions that reduce acidity.The baking soda will naturally neutralize the HCL in the stomach.  If the acid does not return to normal after the baking soda is swallowed than that is a positive test for hypochlorhydria (3).



This gastric acid secretion test showed that I indeed had very low stomach acid, borderline achlorhydria. My doctor advised me to supplement my digestive system by taking Betaine HCL.



The way he suggested I begin is the basic outline of the HCL Challenge. He recommended that I take one Betaine capsule with a meal, if that was tolerated I was to increase the number of pills until I reached my tolerance level.



This worked to reverse the fatigue and lack of energy. I began to absorb nutrients and live my life normally again. Life moved on and I gradually stopped taking the Betaine with meals.



Unexplained Stomach Pain



Fast Forward 11 years later, I began having unexplained stomach pain that was not accompanied by any other symptoms, not even nausea or diarrhea. Just moderate stomach pain that didn't appear to have a cause.



After ruling out the obvious, no elevated white blood cell count, negative for Helicobacter Pylori (H.Pylori), negative for other bacteria, parasites, etc., the provider didn't know what was wrong with me. He prescribed a PPI anyhow. Even though he had NO PROOF that I was producing too much stomach acid.



I knew that over the years I had not been producing enough stomach acid. There was no reason why I would suddenly start overproducing stomach acid.



Knowing this, I asked him on what basis had he decided that I needed to block my stomach acid. To this, he said I needed to take this prescription to allow my stomach to heal. (From what?)