| 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.
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.
| Is Your Antacid Dulling Your Memory? by Karen Kline |
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.
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.
| . |
Natural Approach: Licorice, glutamine, gentian, acupuncture, stimulation of nerves to the stomach through chiropractic all help increase gastric acid. |
| 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
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. |
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Health Boundaries Bite
http://www.health-boundaries-bite.com
Your fingernails reflect your health --
Learn some warning signs --
Karen Kline
Your fingernails reflect your health --
Learn some warning signs --
Karen Kline