Let's take some acid!

Let the river flow

If you're like my entire immediate family, you have undiagnosed, mysterious stomach problems. I can't go to a family function without discussing bowel movements, popping rolaids like they're after dinner mints, waiting in line for the bathroom, and finding out yet another bit of food my sister can't eat.

My brother and sister have both been to gastroenterologists and other specialists, both ending up without a diagnosis. Until recently, I had no idea what the real issue was with my sibling's and my own stomach, until I came across an article on a fitness website titled "You don't know how to digest". This article more or less outlined the most common digestive problems, listing low HCL (hydrogen chloride/stomach acid) levels as a main cause.


Some symptoms/signs you might have low HCL levels:

Looking or feeling bloated after a meal

Excessive gas after meals
Bad breath
Constipation
Undigested food in your stool
Difficulty putting on muscle mass
Nausea after meals
White spots on nails
Heartburn

Is that a pack of rolaids in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?

Turns out the symptoms for high levels of HCL and low levels of HCL are very similar and often people are misdiagnosed. Also I'm pretty sure everyone in my family has this.

Taking 5000 rolaids will never make that burning sensation go away if your levels are too low. There are supplements with Betaine HCL with Pepsin that can be taken before every meal to promote the production of HCL.  So if you're having stomach problems, give some of those supplements a whirl. Also, think twice about taking that antacid after your next meal.



-S. Anan