12 Low Stomach Acid Symptoms
Low stomach acid, or hypochlorhydria, can be the cause behind some of your frustrating gut symptoms like bloating or indigestion—digestive issues highly related to our hormone, mental, and physical health.
Stomach acid plays a crucial role in the digestion process. It helps to break down our food, particularly our protein-rich foods, to absorb the nutrients. It also helps to kill off any germs/bacteria from food or things we ingest to protect the body from infection.
Root causes:
Stress because we produce less stomach acid due to digestion taking a back seat
H. Pylori infection which can lead to stomach ulcers
Prolonged plant-based eating can lower stomach acid because of possible low protein intake
Medications like acid reducers or PPIs (proton pump inhibitors)
Source: NIH
Role of stomach acid:
Digesting protein foods
Defends against pathogens
Here are 13 potential low stomach acid symptoms:
1. Nausea
Low stomach acid can cause you to have nausea because when you digest food, and there isn’t enough acid to break it down, this can prolong the digestive process and lead to an upset stomach and nausea. Gastric emptying is the movement of food from the stomach into the small intestine, and when you have low stomach acid, this can slow gastric emptying.
Source: NIH
2. Bloating
Bloating is when you look in the mirror and appear puffier, and your stomach is more distended. This is because of gas build-up and water retention. Bloating can be caused by low stomach acid because when the food eventually moves to the small intestine from the stomach, may not as efficiently break down the food. As a result, it is harder for the intestine to absorb as many nutrients from the food resulting in bloating.
Source: 24199004
3. Gut Inflammation
Gut inflammation is just what it sounds like, it is when the intestinal lining becomes irritated, and blood flows to the area resulting in inflammation. Inflammation can be a symptom of low stomach acid because when food particles enter the gut that are not broken down properly, it can become difficult to absorb the nutrients resulting in inflammation.
Source: 28501229
4. Indigestion
Indigestion is the main result of having low stomach acid. As mentioned, when there is not enough acid to break down the food, these larger food particles will not be absorbed in the gut and result in discomfort and indigestion.
Source: 28714103
5. Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is when food from the stomach reenters the esophagus and comes back up either just in the chest resulting in heartburn or in addition, can result in vomiting. Many people think that acid reflux is a result of too much acid, but contrary to this, it can occur in those with low stomach acid as well. Two main properties make the stomach break down food, the acid and its churning and mixing power. When there is low stomach acid, the stomach's churning and mixing power is accelerated to try to digest the food better. As a result, this can push the food closer to the esophagus than the small intestine. Besides, low stomach acid will signal the ‘door’ to the small intestine to stay closed because the food will take longer to break down. As a result, the food mixture in the stomach can have the tendency to move up the esophagus and cause acid reflux.
Source: 30228725
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6. Stomach Ulcers
Stomach ulcers occur when something is degrading and creating a hole in the stomach lining. The stomach lining protects the stomach's sensitive part on the outside from being exposed to the highly acidic pH of the stomach acid. As a result, the stomach ulcer will cause intense stomach pain because now the outside of the stomach is exposed to highly acidic stomach acid. A growth in H. Pylori can cause stomach ulcers; these bacteria eat away at the stomach lining creating the ulcers. The stomach acid can usually kill this bacteria because the environment has too low of a pH to thrive. There isn’t enough to kill the H. Pylori when there is low stomach acid, which can, therefore, overgrow.
Source: NIH
7. Hair Loss
Hair loss is another symptom of low stomach acid. When you can not digest and absorb all the nutrients from your food due to low stomach acid, these nutrients can not reach the hair. As a result of insufficient nutrients, you may experience hair loss. One of the most essential nutrients for hair growth is B12.
Source: 30547302
8. Weak Bones
Ionized calcium is vital for bone strength and growth. Stomach acid plays an important role in creating this ionized calcium. When you have low stomach acid, you are at risk for osteoporosis due to weak bones.
Source: 26945509
9. Impaired Immune System
An impaired immune system is another symptom of low stomach acid. This is because stomach acid is one of the first defenders against pathogens. When you have low stomach acid, pathogens, bacteria, and toxins can enter the body. Over time this can cause an impaired immune system.
Source: 21889024
10. Hormone Imbalances
Hormone imbalances can occur due to low stomach acid because many nutrients are building blocks for hormones in our body. Nutrients that support hormone production are zinc, magnesium, B vitamins, and omega 3s.
Source: 23430646
11. Acne or Dry Skin
Acne or dry skin can also be a low stomach acid symptom. Research shows that 40% of those with acne also have low stomach acid. This is because our skin needs the necessary nutrients to maintain oil production to protect our skin from the environment. When we have low stomach acid, we can’t absorb as many nutrients, and the ones we do absorb most likely will be utilized in other more important functions first before they go to support the skin. Additionally, low stomach acid can lead to bacteria overgrowth, which the skin can not defend, leading to acne and blemishes.
Source: 21281494
12. Brittle Nails
Brittle nails can also be a result of low stomach acid. Nail health is reliant on the mineral zinc, and if this is not absorbed due to low stomach acid, then your nails can lose their strength.
Source: NIH
