Ways to Optimize, Nutrition for the Optimal You!
  • Ways to Optimize
    • Nutritionist
    • Nutritional Approach
    • Referral Benefits
    • Forms >
      • Intake Form
      • Client Agreement and Release
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
  • Services
    • Nutrition Services Pricing
    • Blood Test for Nutrient Status
    • Food Relationship Reset
    • Detox Programs
    • Speaking
    • Other Services >
      • Fitness
  • Resources
    • Nutrition eBooks
    • Supplements
    • Essential Oils
    • Self-Care Tools
    • Food >
      • Meat
  • Blog
  • Successes

Amanda's Musings

Things we want you to know and other cool stuff!

Stomach Acid and Immunity

1/4/2018

1 Comment

 
You may have noticed that this month at Ways to Optimize we are focused on the immune system. Whilst we typically think about protecting ourselves from colds and flus when we discuss our immunity, I want to touch here on a less high profile aspect of the immune system that’s super important and for many not functioning well and that’s our Stomach Acid Production.
 
Are acid-suppressing drugs helping us?
 
Problems with heartburn and acid reflux are common. Acid-suppressing drugs are among the most commonly used prescription and over the counter pharmaceuticals. The pharmaceutical companies' sales rely on us accepting the idea that stomach acid is something that needs to be kept in check. It does sound plausible, doesn’t it, that symptoms of heartburn, indigestion and gastrointestinal reflux disease are caused by too much acid, because that burning is real. The reality is that it is much more likely that you have too little stomach acid production rather than too much. These medicines are actually working counter to what many people really need. Stomach acid is not something to be feared. We definitely need it. Our body is designed so that enough acid can be produced to bring our stomach pH to around 1.5 to 3.0. That’s a really strong acid!
 
Why is stomach acid important in immune health?
 
Stomach acid has several important roles in digestion but I’d like to highlight these in relation to a healthy immune system.
  • It inhibits the growth of microorganisms that enter the body through food to prevent infection. Super important for keeping us from getting sick.
  • It ensures proper absorption of many minerals, such as zinc. Zinc is a key nutrient for our immune system and (double whammy!) is critical for production of stomach acid. So it is a circular problem…less stomach acid causes less zinc causes less stomach acid and so it goes on!
  • It helps protect us from duodenal ulcers and ensures proper digestion of food. Both are important as protection from a leaky gut. Leaky gut can result in food sensitivities, inflammation and autoimmune conditions.
  • It is important to keep our essential gut flora healthy, a key aspect of our immune system.
 
Why do I feel burning when I have low stomach acid?
 
The stomach has two valves, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) (at the top of the stomach) and the pyloric sphincter (at the bottom of the stomach).
The pyloric sphincter is a one way valve which is designed to open when the food in your stomach is digested to chyme with the correct pH. If you don’t have enough stomach acid the valve may not open.
The other valve, the LES, is designed to open both ways.  When excessive pressure builds up in the stomach, but the pyloric valve doesn’t open, the body releases the pressure by opening up the LES.  Even if your stomach isn’t producing enough acid, any amount of acid going into the esophagus will result in burning sensations because the esophagus is not designed to handle stomach acid and doesn’t have the same protections that the stomach has.  Frequent opening of the LES toward the esophagus will contribute to a weakened valve that compounds the problem.
 
Note:  There are also other causes that contribute to a malfunctioning LES.  Certain foods (e.g. hot peppers, citrus, tomatoes), drinks (caffeine, alcohol), overeating, overweight and obesity, pregnancy, hiatal hernia, and many medications (including NSAIDs, antibiotics, bronchodilators, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, nitrates, antidepressants, anti-anxiety, and anticholinergics) are associated with a weakened LES.           
 
Restoring your stomach acid levels
 
Don’t worry! If you suspect you may have low stomach acid, help is at hand. We can help you identify if low stomach acid is at play in your symptoms, support your digestion as you heal and help you identify and remedy nutrient deficiencies that may be at the heart of things.  Get in touch if you’d like to get help. We also have some Special Deals this month to help you address immune concerns and save you money.
 
 
 
 

1 Comment

    Enter your email address to receive blog posts directly to your email:

    Categories

    All
    Abuse
    Acupuncture
    Adaptogens
    Adiponectin
    Adrenal
    Alcohol
    Algae
    Allergies
    Alpha Lipoic Acid
    Anxiety
    Apple Cider Vinegar
    Armoring
    Astaxanthin
    Autoimmune
    Bacon
    Balance
    Beauty
    Behavior Modification
    Blood Sugar
    Blood Sugar Control
    Blood Testing
    Body
    Body Image
    Brain Chemistry
    Brain Health
    Brain Injury
    Breast Tenderness
    Bromelain
    Burnout
    Butter
    B Vitamins
    Calcium D Glucarate
    Calorie Restriction
    Cancer
    Candida
    Carnitine
    Chemicals
    Cholesterol
    Chromium
    Cleanse
    Coconut Oil
    Cognitive Ability
    Cognitive Decline
    Cooking
    Cortisol
    Cross Reactivity
    Cruciferous Vegetables
    Deficiency Symptoms
    Dementia
    Depression
    Detox
    Diabetes
    Diet Analysis
    Dieting
    DIM
    Eczema
    Endocrine
    Epigenetics
    Essential Amino Acids
    Essential Oils
    Estrogen
    Estrogen Dominance
    Exercise
    Farmed Fish
    Fat
    Feng Shui
    Fermented
    Fertility
    Fiber
    Fish
    Fish Oil
    Flavor
    Flaxseed
    Food Intolerances
    Food Sensitivities
    Functional Nutrition
    GABA
    Genes
    Gene SNP
    Ghrelin
    Glucagon
    Glutamine
    Gluten
    Gluten-free
    Glycation
    Goals
    Grass Fed
    Grass Finished
    Growth Hormone
    Gut Flora
    Gut Health
    Gut Microbiome
    Habit Change
    HDL
    Heart Disease
    Heart Health
    Heavy Periods
    Holistic Nutrition
    Honey
    Hormones
    H Pylori
    Immune
    Inflammation
    Insecticides
    Insulin
    Insulin Resistance
    Kefir
    Keto
    Ketogenic Diet
    Ketones
    Ketosis
    Kombucha
    LDL
    Leaky Gut
    Leptin
    Life Purpose
    Lifestyle
    Lipoprotein Blood Testing
    Liver
    Local
    Low Cortisol
    Lycopene
    Lymphatic Drainage
    Macronutrients
    Magnesium
    Magnesium L-threonate
    Magtein
    Mal Absorption
    Mal-absorption
    Meat
    Melatonin
    Memory
    Mercury
    Metabolic Syndrome
    Micronutrient Blood Testing
    Micronutrient Deficiency
    Micronutrients
    Mind
    Minerals
    Mono-unsaturated Fat
    Mood
    Nettle Leaf
    Neurotransmitters
    Nutrition
    Nutrition Education
    Obesity
    Olive Oil
    Omega 3 Fatty Acids
    Omega 6 Fatty Acids
    Oral Health
    Organic
    Overwhelm
    Personal Growth
    Personalized Nutrition
    Pesticides
    Pharmaceuticals
    Phytoestrogens
    Phytonutrients
    PMS
    Poisonous
    Probiotics
    Protein
    Psoriasis
    Quercetin
    Raw
    Real World Solutions
    Recipe
    REM Sleep
    Reproductive Damage
    Resolutions
    Salt
    Saturated Fat
    Scientific Hand Analysis
    Seafood
    Seasonal Allergies
    Self-care
    Self-improvement
    Serotonin
    Sex Hormones
    Sleep
    Soluble Fiber
    Spice
    Spirit
    Stevia
    Stomach Acid
    Stress
    Sugar
    Sugar Cravings
    Summer
    Sun Damage
    Sun Exposure
    Supplementation
    Supplements
    Support
    Symptoms
    The Liver
    Thyroid
    Toxicity
    Toxins
    Trans Fats
    Transformation
    UV Radiation
    UV Rays
    Vitamin A
    Vitamin D
    Vitamins
    Weight Loss
    Xenoestrogens
    Yogurt
    Yoyo Dieting
    Zinc

    Archives

    October 2019
    September 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    November 2016
    September 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014

    RSS Feed

New from Amanda's Musings Blog

How do I know if I have poor blood sugar control?
Is sugar running the show in your food relationship?
when intermittent fasting is not for you

Connect with us:

720 296 9185
WaysToOptimize@gmail.com
Send us a FaceBook Message


Nutrition Services
Ways To Optimize  •  Copyright 2013-2020  •  All Rights Reserved
  • Ways to Optimize
    • Nutritionist
    • Nutritional Approach
    • Referral Benefits
    • Forms >
      • Intake Form
      • Client Agreement and Release
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
  • Services
    • Nutrition Services Pricing
    • Blood Test for Nutrient Status
    • Food Relationship Reset
    • Detox Programs
    • Speaking
    • Other Services >
      • Fitness
  • Resources
    • Nutrition eBooks
    • Supplements
    • Essential Oils
    • Self-Care Tools
    • Food >
      • Meat
  • Blog
  • Successes