Why You Need Stomach Acid and What Happens When You Neutralize It ???
The importance of stomach acid is well-documented. Your body needs stomach acid for a lot of good reasons:
Stomach acid plays an essential role in the immune system by killing harmful bacteria and parasites that are ingested with food
The acid in your stomach is strong enough to dissolve razorblades
Stomach acid activates the enzyme pepsin needed for protein digestion
Stomach acid signals to the pancreas produce digestive juices and enzymes to further break down food
Stomach acid initiates peristalsis, the rhythmic contractions of the intestines, that crush and move the food through the GI tract
Stomach acid is essential for the absorption of Vitamin B12 which plays key role in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system, and in the formation of blood.
Stomach acid performs an essential digestive function by reducing food clumps (bolus) into smaller particles (chyme), so that the intestines can absorb nutrients quickly and effectively.
The effect of suppressing stomach acidity with drugs is to decrease nutrient absorption to such a degree that there can be long term health consequences. In the process you are also compromising an essential part of your immune system. Stomach acid kills harmful microbes on contact but without it these intruders can flourish. The longer the duration of acid suppression the higher the risk of harmful effects.
The effect of suppressing stomach acidity with drugs is to decrease nutrient absorption to such a degree that there can be long term health consequences. In the process you are also compromising an essential part of your immune system. Stomach acid kills harmful microbes on contact but without it these intruders can flourish. The longer the duration of acid suppression the higher the risk of harmful effects.
