Acid Reflux? Consider this....

Roughly 1/3 of the adult population in the U.S. suffer with acid reflux. That's a lot of unhappy people!

If you are one of them, you have probably already been prescribed a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Prilosec and Nexium are two PPI brands you might recognize. A PPI is used to reduce the amount of hydrochloric acid (HCL), sometimes called stomach acid.

The acid reflux, heartburn and/or indigestion you experience could mean your HCL is too high. But, it's more likely that your HCL is too low.

Confusing, right? I know!

Let's take a step back real quick.

What does HCL even do in the body?

• It helps break down, digest, and absorb nutrients.

• It serves as a first line of defense against incoming pathogens.

• Creates a sterile environment for the gut.

• Changes the pH balance in the digestive tract.

• Impacts microbiome diversity.

What are some of the causes of low HCL?

If you are over the age of 65, that could be a major contributing factor as HCL gradually decreases over our lifespan. Other reasons include things like chronic inflammation in the gut, gluten sensitivity and thyroid issues. One of the more common reasons is a Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) infection