Too little stomach acid often causes heartburn, not too much - By Dr. Tracy McAlvanah
Are you one of the 20 percent of Americans with acid reflux and heartburn ? You’re probably chalking the problem up to too much stomach acid, but in many cases it’s the opposite causing the problems – too little stomach acid is the culprit behind those fiery episodes that feel like they’re burning a hole in your chest. How can that be possible? The environment of the stomach is highly acidic so that it can quickly break down meats and other foods, protect you from poisoning and infection from bacteria, fungi, and other toxins, and help you better absorb minerals. Good stomach acidity also helps ensure smooth function of the rest of the digestive tract and can help relieve not only heartburn but also indigestion, belching, gas, constipation, bloating, yeast overgrowth, food allergies, and other symptoms related to compromised digestion. Why is stomach acid low? Various factors can cause insufficient stomach acid. Stress, bacterial infection, poor diet, and nutritional defici...