Stomach acidity is one of the significant keys to digestive and, therefore, overall health. A person can live with a low stomach acidity for many years and even decades, but this inevitably will lead to poor health long-term and chronic conditions. It’s been observed since Hippocrates’ time that our health depends on how efficiently our digestive systems perform their functions. In my clinical practice, most clients I consult have the same pattern. Firstly they experience digestive issues, and then years or decades later, they receive a diagnosis. Keeping the digestive system at its optimal function is one of the keys to healthy longevity and overall well-being. Today everyone can do a Stomach Acid Test from home and discover how well acidity is produced.
A Stomach Acid Test should be the first step if you have any health condition or care for your long-term health.
Let’s look at why good stomach acid is crucial to our health.
HCL is a protective barrier:
The HCL (Hydro Chloric Acid) is the first defense barrier between bacteria and other parasitic forms from outside and the gut. The greater the concentration, the higher the protection and preservation of the good gut flora in the intestines.
Proper food brake down & gut microbiome:
Breaking down the food particles into smaller pieces is another vital role of the HLC. The proper brake of food makes it available for the intestinal bacteria and our cells. The food particles remain large when stomach acidity is lacking, or liquids dilute it. Our bacteria cannot utilize this large particle, resulting in NG (Non-Growth) of our beneficial flora over time. Moreover, undigested food and inadequate acid concentration will, over time, promote commensal and pathogenic bacteria overgrowth. People with dysbiotic flora experience all sorts of GIT symptoms. This symptom can be:
- diarrhea
- constipation
- excessive gas
- pain in the abdominal area
- swelling in the abdominal area
Food sensitivities & intolerances:
Many other health conditions, such as food intolerances and sensitivities, can be linked to low acidity. The triggers for sensitivities and intolerances are abnormally shaped or large and undigested particles. This contributes to a chaotic environment, inflammation, and autoimmune conditions.
Minerals:
With a low concentration of HCL, the minerals remain bound to the protein and are therefore unavailable for circulation and utilization. This results in mineral deficiency, brittle hair, nails, and even lower stomach acidity, becoming a vicious cycle.
How to do a Stomach Acid Test?
The Stomach Acid Test indicates the efficiency with which your body produces stomach acidity and will cost you less than £1; all you need is bicarbonate of soda and water!
Steps to perform the test:
1) Mix a quarter of a teaspoon in 150 ml of room temperature filtered water and drink it first thing in the morning.
2) Using a timer, note how long it will take to produce a distinctive burp.
Results:
1 – 2 minutes = good stomach acidity production
2 – 3 minutes = slightly slow acidity production
3 – 5 minutes = non adequate acidity production
5 minutes and more = potentially high deficiency in resourcefulness and sluggish digestion
More than 5 minutes = stop timing, the stomach acidity is very low and delayed; you must support it promptly.
When the stomach is full of resources (minerals, enzymes, water, cofactors, and proteins), it produces acidity quickly. The burping results from the chemical reaction between acidity produced in the stomach and alkalinity derived from the mix.
Note: If you have a small burp, this can be caused by swallowing the air; the good burp is a significant and distinctive belch.
Do this Stomach Acid Test over three days and then sum together the time and divide by 3 to have an average time.
If your results are more than two minutes on average or below two minutes, but you still experience unwanted GI symptoms, book a consultation with one of our nutritionists from the clinic to create a step-by-step therapeutic plan.