Hydrochloric Acid (HCL)
More info about proper digestion

Doctors in the past were surprised to discover that some of their older patients apparently had stopped making a chemical in their stomachs that is vital to digestion: HCL or hydrochloric acid.
Today, it is a well-known fact that as we mature our body tends to produce less and less of this vital digestive secretion.
Actually, if you think about it, it is rather astonishing that the human body produces hydrochloric acid at all! After all hydrochloric acid is so strong it can eat through solid steel. Commercially, it is known as “muriatic acid” and is used to dissolve the most stubborn mineral deposits on bathroom fixtures or toilet bowls.

 

PDA The stomach manufactures hydrochloric acid to break down proteins. But, as people age, they may produce less HCl, which can affect the amount of protein they can break down and ultimately absorb. Inefficient protein digestion can affect the viability of the intestinal flora that feast on these compounds. Each capsule of PDA provides 325 mg of betaine HCl, supplying diluted hydrochloric acid and 20 mg of pepsin, a natural protein-digesting enzyme.

Food enzymes Because cooking destroys the enzymes of fresh food, consider using enzyme supplements with all cooked foods. People over 30 often have less digestive HCI and fewer pancreatic digestive enzymes. Pancreatic enzyme supplements have been suggested to break down the protective protein layer of tumors One capsule will help you digest a minimum of 30 grams of protein, 30 grams of carbohydrates and 20 grams of fats

So what is this strong acid doing in the stomach in the first place?
HCL serves to change the acid alkaline ratio of food so that it is more easily acted upon by pepsin, a protein digesting enzyme. It also converts some of the gastric juice (pepsinogen) into pepsin so it can help dissolve proteins. It hydrolyzes sucrose (a type of sugar). acts on milk products (casein). and helps control bacteria that also likes the food you eat.
Without enough HCL certain minerals are not freed for absorption, especially iron, which can cause pernicious anemia. HCL is also needed for the assimilation of calcium. So if HCL production is low, then the body will be unable to assimilate all the minerals it needs.
Many people think that their stomachs produce too much HCL but strangely enough the heartburn can be a symptom of a low acid level.

How do we come short of enough HCL?
Stress. poor nutrition and poor eating habits (overeating) all contribute to a loss of HCL production because they irritate and stress the stomach.

How can we improve HCL production?
Well, general good nutrition is helpfiul. Nutrients such as the B vitamins are essential to HCL production.
Many herbalists feel that Safflowers also aid production of this digestive acid. Green leaf vegetables and dandelion herb also seem to strengthen the stomach.
Relaxing and enjoying our food helps as does eating only enough to satisfÿ hunger and no more. If these measures are not sufficient we can take an HCL supplement such as PDA or Food Enzymes.

Many nutritionists believe that everyone over 50 or 60 probably needs to supplement their hydrochloric acid production.
Making certain your stomach has enough HCL to properly digest your food will help you "turn off the bubble machine", and pass the acid test!