Experience reflux, nausea &/or bloating after meals?
If you experience reflux, nausea and/or bloating after meals, it could be LOW STOMACH ACID.
Low stomach acid is all too common and worthy of discussion. Conventional medicine rarely talks about it, but that doesn’t mean it’s not real.
This idea that folks have high stomach acid often takes all the blame for reflux-associated symptoms, but the problem is often NOT that an individual has too much stomach acid, it’s that the stomach acid is just in the wrong place.
Acid belongs in its home environment, the stomach, not the esophagus. This tube connecting your mouth to your stomach, known as the esophagus, was not designed to tolerate low pH from the acidity of the gastric juices, which is why we have a valve called the Lower Esophageal Spincter to protect us from gastric juices flowing back into our esophagus.
Unfortunately, our Lower Esophageal Sphincter can be negatively impacted by many habits and conditions associated with our modern lifestyles like chronic stress, inadequate chewing, fast eating, large meals, weight concentrated in our abdomens, H.pylori, processed foods, dysautonomia, gut degeneration, elevated TSH in hypothyroidism, and more.
This all matters quite a lot because we absolutely need stomach acid for many important reasons, like the following:
- To breakdown our foods, especially protein.
- To keep pathogens at bay.
- To stimulate pancreatic enzyme release & gallbladder contraction
-To help us absorb critical nutrients like B vitamins, iron & zinc
- To keep risk of antigen exposure down
- And more!
Have I convinced you stomach acid is a BIG deal?
“This idea that folks have high stomach acid often takes all the blame for reflux-associated symptoms, but the problem is often NOT that an individual has too much stomach acid, it’s that the stomach acid is just in the wrong place. ”
Convinced or not, you might be more interested in hearing the rest of what I have to share if you experience frequent bloating and gas, nausea, prolonged fullness, a brick in your stomach feeling, heartburn and indigestion.
A majority of the clients that come to me are typically experiencing one, if not all, of these digestive issues, and I have some solid suggestions to help, but first, we need to do a little at home stomach acid test.
Here’s how you can test your stomach acid yourself at home:
1. First thing in morning on an empty stomach, mix 1/2 cup water with 1/4 teaspoon baking soda & drink it down.
2. Set timer for 5 minutes & wait for a burp.
3. If you DON’T burp within 5 minutes of drinking the mixture, then you may have low stomach acid.
Now, if you discovered you do indeed have low stomach acid, consider working on all the following foundations:
🌟 Slow down & chew at least 15 times per bite or until a pureed consistency
🌟 Deep belly breaths before meals - 4 count inhale through nose, 5 count hold, 6 count exhale through mouth
🌟 Consume swedish bitters or bitter foods like arugula or ginger before meals
🌟 Trial 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar in a little water before or with meals - a note of caution, if you experience any burning at all with the trial of apple cider vinegar, then discontinue it and let your provider know as this could be an indication of gastritis, inflammation of the lining of the stomach.
If the above suggestions don’t help, then consider reaching out to a professional like myself who can assist you in further investigating your digestive issues.
💛Really hope this helps!
Remember: This post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.