Hypochlorhydria

While we often wish things wouldn't hurt, the fact is that
without warning signs, health can deteriorate simply because
we have no idea there's a problem.

A good example is when we take antacids to get rid of the
pain of indigestion, but are blissfully unaware of the essential
role gastric acid plays in the assimilation of many minerals,
and of vitamin B12. Diagram.

Because vitamin B12 occurs in protein and is bound into it,
vitamin B12 must be released from the protein in order for
our bodies to use it. If there is not enough gastric acid in our
stomachs to accomplish this, then over time devastating
health problems take hold -- possibly without the warning
sign of pain.

Gastric, or hydrochloric acid, also plays an essential role in
the stimulation of pancreatic enzyme and bile release into
the small intestine where it is absolutely necessary for the
digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, proteins, fats,
and vitamins A and E. Without hydrochloric acid a person
can have malnutrition even with an excellent diet.
Inadequate hydrochloric acid is the condition known as
hypochlorhydria.

My father, who once proudly presented me with a twenty
pound pack of the wonder flavoring he found at a Chinese
restaurant – MSG – used to travel with what looked like a
tumbled city block of antacid boxes. We are talking a heavy
duty supply.

At the same time, my father was complaining about how his
pots and pans were “sticking.” So, I purchased a really nice
non-stick omlete pan for him, which he promptly fried to a
frazzle, asking me to get him a new one under the life time
guarantee.

Since I did not have the nerve to attempt a return of the
once lovely pan, I asked my father if he had that trouble
often, pots and pans burning up... not just sticking.

He said yes, it was getting so that he could barely remember
anything. He said he’d put something on the stove, then
totally forget it.

Although I was sure that the culprit was his antacids, I felt
equally sure that if I told him, he wouldn’t hear me. He is
pretty devoted to his antacids, not to say that I come in a
distant second.

How was I ever going to alert him to hypochlorhydria, the
condition where insufficient gastric acid leads to the lowering
of vitamin B12 reserves in the body?

I had wondered for only a few days, when I decided to write
to him about hydrochloric acid, about how it’s essential to
free vitamin B12 from protein. I explained that while he
loves liver and prides himself on eating liver and onions three
or four times a week, that if he’s following that healthy
dinner with a few antacids, one for the antacid affect, one
for the added calcium, that he’s counteracting all the
potential benefits of the liver.

I mailed the letter, and waited.

And waited.

Just when I was pretty sure that he had taken offense, I
heard from him. He said he had read my letter, thought
about it, and decided to try some HCL Betaine tablets that
he found at the health food store.

Delighted, I wrote back with high praise, and asked him to
tell me if his memory improved.

He said he would. About a month later he wrote that he was
sleeping better, and he said that more sleep seemed to
improve his memory.

Some months later I started my web page, www.health-
boundaries-bite.com/Fingernails.html so that information
about B12 would get further distribution than to my family.

Incidentally, by the time I was telling my dad about
hypochlorhydria and vitamin B12, I already had some
permanent nerve damage from having low B12 for too long
a time. I really wished, I mean intensely wished, that I had
known before it was too late, about how our fingernails
reflect our B12 health, so, I decided to pass the information
on. I hope you do the same.

Symptoms
of Low stomach acid:
stomach bloating
burping
upset stomach
burning
flatulence
diarrhea
nausea from supplements
rectal itching
weak, peeling/cracked fingernails
dilated capillaries in cheeks/nose

(in

non-alcoholics)

post adolescent Acne
iron deficiency
other mineral deficiencies
chronic intestinal infection
undigested food in stool
ridges/lines on fingernails
pins and needles

Hydrochloric acid, HCL, can be
taken by capsule and is excellent to
counteract low gastric acid.

If you have peptic ulcers, gastritis,
or take NSAIDS, then hydrocholoric
acid is not recommended.

Methylcobalamin is a safe, effective
alternative to HCL. It replaces the
B12 that is radically missing when
someone has Hypochlorhydria.

In my experience, the Betaine HCL
with pepsin is fine, and is not
irritating.

BetaineHCL online