types of gut problems, low stomach acid is found in people with other
conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, atherosclerosis
and candida yeast infections.
Most problems associated with hydrochloric acid are related to
diminished production. However, sometimes an excess of stomach
acid is produced. This is one of the rationales for giving antacids. In
some people, strong emotional stress can overproduce hydrochloric
acid between meals when the stomach is empty. This is not normal
and is clearly a health problem. In these cases, the stress must be
addressed, and eating more frequently, as often as six times a day, is
usually very helpful.
Other acids can also be overproduced in the stomach due to low
hydrochloric acid levels. This occurs when food is eaten and the stom-
ach has too little hydrochloric acid. This may be followed by forma-
tion of other acids from fermentation and poor digestion, and can
result in a condition of “too much acid” — caused by too little normal
acid. Antacids can relieve discomfort caused by these unnatural acids,
and this has resulted in an explosion of antacid products both in over-
the-counter and prescription forms.
Taking antacids may be counterproductive for efficient digestion
and absorption, especially when low stomach acid already exists. The
drugs used to “neutralize” stomach acids don’t really accomplish
this. They just temporarily reduce the acids, the reason you have to
continue taking the drug. Improving the diet and reducing stress,
however, can help remedy this problem in most people. For those
who need more help, a dietary supplement can be very effective.
For those who require more stomach acid, betaine hydrochloride
is the name of the ingredient in dietary supplements that can increase
the normal stomach acid. This is a natural product — it’s actually the
salt of hydrochloric acid in dry form, which turns into the same stom-
ach acid when swallowed. It’s best taken after meals and snacks until
intestinal function returns to normal. In some people a long-term
need for betaine hydrochloride exists, especially in the elderly.
Betaine hydrochloride is typically supplemented at a dose of 100-600
mg after each meal and snack.
Many supplements containing betaine hydrochloride also
include digestive enzymes, such as pancreatic and other small intes-
262 • IN FITNESS AND IN HEALTH