I was deep in conversation recently with a young woman, as she explained to me in earnest, how she was struggling with an over-production of stomach acid.
This had been causing her all kinds of problems.
(Since we were at a party, I’m actually not sure how we go off onto that tangent, but we did.)
After listening intently, I gently explained to her that high levels of stomach acid are actually exceedingly rare.
And I went on to explain that the likely culprit was more likely low stomach acid.
She was confused.
It’s a common myth, one you’ve likely heard yourself.
After all, the media bombards you all the time with messages of what you should do for heartburn.
And they always recommend an over-the-counter medication, to ease your symptoms.
The key word here is “symptoms”.
Because in the end, all that medication actually does is ease your symptoms – without addressing why you have this problem in the first place!
In order to find the problem, you need to first back things up – and look for the cause.
After all, there’s a reason you’re experiencing heartburn.
There’s a reason for your indigestion.
There’s even a reason why you have food sensitivities!
(It didn’t just happen overnight).
How do I know this?
Well – I’ve been there myself.
In fact, I’ve been on a mission over the past year to correct the unbalance in my own body.
The thing is, you need adequate amounts of stomach acid in order to properly digest a meal.
And if you’re experiencing heartburn – that often means you don’t have enough.
If it surprises you to hear that, know that you’re not alone.
But the truth is, most of us don’t produce enough hydrochloric acid (otherwise known as HCl) – once we reach a “certain age”.
And while this might be a normal part of getting older, it does NOT mean that you have to put up with it.
I mean, since when does aging mean you have to suffer?
(In fact, so much of what society considers a “normal” part of aging, isn’t normal at all).
There are ways to test your levels of hydrochloric acid (or HCl, as it’s commonly referred to), so you can come up with a supplemental protocol that’s right for you.
I invite you to listen to this video clip, where Dr. Jonathan Wright, founder of the Tahoma Clinic near Seattle, Washington, explains the importance of having enough stomach acid.
Trust me, he knows what he’s talking about!
(And here’s another one, from Dr. Mark Hyman).
He also explains his primary method for testing – something called a Heidelberg Test. (Yes, I’ve done this, myself, and while it may have been one of the odder experiences of my life, I have to say it was absolutely worth it!)
There are also a number of things you can do to boost your stomach acid, and the health of your gut in general – another key area I work on with my clients.
For starters, try adding a little lemon juice to your glass of water first thing in the morning, before breakfast.
Of course, these minor tweaks take time, so it could take awhile before you see results.
After all, even though your symptoms seemed to appear overnight – you can be sure they’d been building up for awhile.
Until all of a sudden, you felt ill.
Likewise, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to reverse anything overnight.
But please don’t give up!
Remember – if you’re in need of assistance, accountability or support – I’m just a phone call away. You can schedule your Free 30-minute Healthy Life Assessment Call right here!
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