DIGESTIVE ISSUES EXPLAINED!

The digestive system holds everything together and it’s important to understand how digestion works.  Digestion means breaking down the foods we eat to its simplest form for absorption.  Having the proper acid production and the correct pH is necessary to kill any pathogens found in the foods we eat.  It is a VERY IMPORTANT part of your health. 

If you have been taking antacids for years, many of your issues can be the result of it.  These issues may include fungal infections, bloating, gas, constipation, prostate issues, acne, psoriasis, poor neurotransmitter production affecting mood, poor gut and brain health, and many more.

Simplified explanation of the digestive process

Mouth:  

·       Amylase is release and starts the digestion of carbohydrates.

Stomach:  

·       Hydrochloric Acid (HCL) is released   

·       HCL changes pepsinogen (inactive enzyme) into pepsin (active enzyme), which is responsible for digesting proteins.

·       The stomach is where proteins are digested by the action of pepsin, not carbohydrates or fats.

·       HCL liquefies foods and once foods are liquefied, the stomach lower valve opens.  Liquifying food isn’t digestion, it’s simply acting like a blender.

·       Inorganic minerals contained in the foods we eat are ionized by the action of HCL, the form these minerals need to be for the body to be able to use them.

·       The Intrinsic Factor is released when acid is sufficient, and is needed to absorb Vitamin B12 in the stomach.  When using PPIs  (antacids) long term, B12 will more than likely become deficient.  Low stomach acid, equals low B12 absorption.

·       Stomach acid must be at a pH below 3 to convert enough pepsinogen into pepsin for protein digestion, and it also ionizes minerals, a requirement for their absorption.  And finally, stomach acid at a pH below 3 is required to close the upper valve of the stomach preventing food and acid from going up in the esophagus.  These points are VERY important to understand.  Antacids bring the pH to around 5, which is not a good pH to breakdown protein to its simplest form (Amino Acids).  This is not a good strategy long term.

·       The stomach signals the brain to let the liver know (through the vagal nerve) how much food is coming (gauged by the amount of HCL) so it can then signal the liver how much bile is needed to be released in the duodenum.

Liver/Gallbladder

·       The liver receives the brain’s signal to release bile.

·       The duodenum releases cholecystokinin and this sends signals to the gallbladder to constrict and release bile for fat emulsification (digestion) and the pancreas to release multiple enzymes to finalize protein and carbohydrate digestion.  Bile stored in the gallbladder is concentrated 9x and very important for proper fat absorption and fat-soluble vitamins.

Duodenum

·       Once the acidic bulk from the stomach arrives in the duodenum, secretions in this area changes the very acidic bulk into an alkaline pH of above 8.

·       Protein digestion continues and bile is released into this area to emulsify fats into tiny little droplets ready for absorption. Sufficient bile is necessary for fat-soluble vitamins to be absorbed (vitamins A, D, E and K).  When you lose your gallbladder, this process is less effective and unproductive.

Small Intestine

·       Digestion of carbs, fats and proteins into its simplest form where they will be absorbed through the intestinal wall:

o   Lactose

o   Galactose

o   Glucose

o   Amino acids

o   Free fatty acids

o   Glycerols

Let’s look at the explanation behind Acid Reflux/ Silent GERD / GERD / Heartburn

·       90% of acid reflux is due to LOW STOMACH ACID production and NOT TOO MUCH ACID!!!

·       Low acid production and the wrong pH prevent pepsinogen from being converted into pepsin, the enzyme responsible for protein breakdown into amino acids.  Slow protein digestion in the stomach due to low acid holds carbohydrates too long in the stomach starting the fermentation process and causing gas.  Because of the higher acid pH (usually above 5), the upper valve of the stomach does not close, allowing the gas production to go up the esophagus along with the little bit of acid you do have.  That is your acid reflux, recurring cough, pain, bloating, etc.  

o   Low stomach acid and the wrong pH isn’t sufficient to digest protein at a good rate causing the fermentation of carbs.  Carbohydrates are not supposed to be digested in the stomach.  When this happens, it becomes the main cause of acid reflux.  

·       For minerals to be absorbed, they need to be surrounded by amino acids (the building blocks of protein).  Minerals have a charge, and amino acids neutralize the charge making their absorption possible in the small intestine.   But if protein cannot be completely broken down because of insufficient acid or a wrong pH, they cannot surround minerals causing deficiencies in the long run.

Long Term Use of PPIs – Nexium, Pariet, Pantoprazole, Omeprazole, Dexilant, Tecta, etc.   And the use of over-the-counter antacids such as Rolaids, Tums, Alka Seltzer, etc.

Using this type of medication further reduces the amount of acid in your stomach, increasing the risk of mineral deficiencies among other issues when used more than their intended 6-week period.  Friendly bacteria cannot thrive in this pH, where opportunistic pathogens prefer this higher pH contributing to their overgrowth (H. Pylori, candida/yeast, clostridia strains).  These meds will stop the symptoms of acid reflux by blocking the production of acid, but this does not resolve the root cause of the problem and worsen the primary issue in the first place, which is low stomach acid.

If you’ve been using PPIs or over-the counter antacids for a long time, it may take some time to rebalance the digestive process, but we never stop these medications cold turkey.  There’s a process to follow depending on how long you’ve been taking them, the dose you are taking, and if you are taking other medications.  It’s not a one size fits all.  But the most important part is to go at a pace that your biology can follow without causing discomfort.   Each case is different as other factors may contribute to low stomach acid – stress and anxiety, the use of other medication known to lower stomach acid (NSAIDs, anti-depressant/anxiety meds, pain killers, etc.), SIBO, IBS, or histamine reactions.  A slow and methodical approach is necessary to move the biology in the right direction.  Proper digestion is necessary for optimal health.  

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