위산부족의 원인, 증상, 치료법

[문형철]

beyond reason

미량원소 치유의학의 세계

위산부족증(Hypochlorhydria)

- 위산은 철, 아연, 구리, 엽산, 비타민  B,  베타카로틴과 같은 영양소들의 흡수를 도움

- 특히 음식에 들어있는 비타민 B12흡수를 위해 위산은 필수. 음식에는 비타민  B12가 단백질에 붙어 있기 때문에 이를 분해하는 펩신이 있어야 함. 

- 보충제의 비타민  B12는 단백질에 붙어있지 않기 때문에 위산이 없어도 흡수됨.

- 위산은 약초(식물)에 들어있는 성분의 흡수를 돕는 역할을 함. 

   그러므로 위산이 부족한 사람은 한약흡수도 안됨

- 위산부족증은 여러 영양소의 흡수를 저하시켜 미량원소, 비타민 영양결핍증을 초래할수 있음. 

- 위산부족증인 환자는 췌장에서 분비되는 단백질 분해효소 프로테아제가 어느정도 소화시킬 수 있지만 위장에서 단백질을 소화시키지 못하므로 제대로 흡수되지 않음. 

- 뿐만 아니라 소화되지 못한 음식은 소장에서 알레르기 반응을 일으키고 장누수 증후군의 원인이 됨

- 위산부족증은 박테리아, 바이러스, 곰팡이 등 미생물을 죽이지 못하고 복통, 설사를 일으킴

- 또한 위산부족증 환자는 위액의 아질산염 농도가 현저하게 높음. 아질산염으로부터 생기는 발암물질인니트로사민때문에 위산부족증 환자는 위암발생율이 높음. 

위산대체요법

- 위산대체요법은 위산부족증, 만성설사, 주사비(빨간코, Rosacea)처럼 위산부족으로 생기는 질병과 백반증(Vitiligo)과 같은 자가면역질환, 음식 알레르기로 인한 만성두드러기, 습진, 어린이 천식, 아토피 등과 관련됨. 

위산부족 증상

- 소화 불량, 트림, 복부팽만, 설사, 변비, 속쓰림 등의 증상

- 특히 육식을 할때 증상이 심해지는데 그 이유는 단백질을 소화시키기 위해서는 위산이 필요하므로 

- 여성의 경우 손톱이 약해지고 머리카락이 잘 부서지면서 빠짐. 

위산부족증 발생빈도와 원인

- 대부분의 연구에서는 나이가 들어감에 따라 위산 부족

- 연구에 따라서 65세 이후에 위산과다가 많다는 연구도 있음 

- 위축성위염은 위산부족증의 흔한 원인

- 위축성 위염은 자가면역에 의해 위장의 벽세포가 파괴되거나 헬리코박터 감염에 의해 발생

- 심한 철분부족은 무산증의 원인이 됨. 

- 철결핍성 빈혈이 있는 30명의 환자중 47%가 무산증이었고 3개월간 철분제를 복용하고 정상으로 회복

- 아동천식, 심부전증, 당뇨, 악성빈혈 등의 질병에도 위산부족증이 동반될 확률이 높음. 

질병과 위산부족증의 관계

- 아동 천식 - 73-80% 

- 심부전증 - 50%

- 피부염 포진 - 25-90%

- 당뇨 - 42-50%

- 습진 - 73%

- 갑상선기능저하증 - 46-100%

- 악성빈혈 - 100%

- 주사비 - 30-58%

- 3차신경통 - 91%

- 백반증 - 25%

연구에 의하면 만성췌장염 환자의 40%는 위산부족증으로 나타남

위산부족증은 비타민, 미네랄 흡수가 안되어 췌장의 만성적인 기능부전으로 인한 영양실조를 악화시킴. 

위장에서는 강한 위산을 분비해 음식을 삭이고 소화시킴. 

위산은 pH2-4로 강한 산임.

십이지장에서는 산도가 낮아져야 함. 

위장에서 위산과 섞여 산도가 강한 음식이 십이지장으로 내려오면 췌장은 즉시 중탄산염(알카리성)을 분비해 십이지장내 산도를 약한 산성(pH5-5.5)으로 만듬.

하지만 만성 췌장염 환자는 췌장의 중탄산염 분비가 분제가 생겼기 때문에 십이지장내가 산성이 되는 경우가 많음. 

췌장의 지방분해효소인 리파아제는 산도가 강한 산성인 pH4 이하가 되면 그 효력이 없어지므로 만성췌장염 환자는 지방을 소화시키지 못해 냄새가 고약한 지방변을 보게 됨. 

췌장보충제에는 여러 소화효소와 리파아제가 들어있는데 이 리파아제가 위산에 의해 파괴되는 것을 막기위해 위산에 녹지않게 코팅되어있어야 함. 

위산부족증의 치료

- 위산을 복용하면 위장의 증상은 바로 호전됨. 

- 복용하는 위산으로는 보통 베타인 염산염(betaine HCL)이나 글루탐산 염산염(glutamic acid HCL)

위산제 복용법

- 고기(단백질)을 먹을때는 위산의 양이 많아져야 

주의사항

1) 아스피린, 스테로이드 복용하는 경우 위산을 복용하면 안됨

2) 비타민 C는 아질산염이 니트로사민(발암물질)로 바뀌는 것을 억제함

3) 비타민  B3(나이아신)은 강한 알카리성이기 때문에 나이아신을 복용하고 있는 경우에는 위산의 복용량을 늘려야 함. 

위산제 복용기간

- 저산증 환자 특히 나이가 많은 환자는 평생 복용해야 할 수도 있음

- 철분결핍에 의한 저산증이나 헬리코박터균에 의한 저산증은 원인이 제거되면 해결될 수 있음.

위산대체요법의 반대이론

- 위산을 복용하는 위산대체요법으로는 저산증이나 무산증을 치료할 수 없다고 주장

- 실제 위산대체요법에 쓰이는 위산의 양은 산도를 정상범위(pH 2.0)에 이르도록 하기에는 부족함. 

- 840mg 글루탐산 염산염을 복용하는 경우 위산을 4.0가지밖에 낮추지 못함. 

- 위산대체요법이 임상에서 좋은 결과에도 불구하고 1940년대부터 중단하게 된 것은 이 때문임. 

- 90% 사람들은 위산이 부족함

- 여드름, 습진, 장누수 증후군, 변비, 복부팽만, 체중증가, 두통, 당뇨, 알러지, 면역력저하, 자가면역질환, 피부건조, 탈모가 있을때는 위산이 부족한 경우가 많음. 

위산부족의 원인

1) 스트레스

2) 불안장애

3) 부신피로

4) 갑상선기능항진, 저하

5) 나이

6) 감염

7) 서구식 식사(포화지방, 고탄수화물식사, 가공식품)

8) 제산제 복용

9) 우울증

10) 칸디다 곰팡이 감염

11) 약물복용

12) 비타민 미네랄 결핍( 특히 아연과 비타민 B)

13) 자가면역질환

위산을 높이는 자연치유법

1) 식사 15분전에 raw organic apple cider vinegar 1스푼을 물에타서 마시기

2) 레몬, 라임을 사과식초처럼 음식과 함께 먹기

3) 소금을 충분히 섭취(celtic sea salt 바다소금)

4) 탄수화물 섭취 줄이기

5) 아연 섭취 - 아연은 위산생성의 필수물질

6) 양배추(cabbage) 주스

7) 발효식품(fermented food)

8) 스트레스를 줄이기

9) 물 많이 마시기

10 Ways to Improve Stomach Acid Levels

Stomach acid is critical for disinfecting and killing off bad microbes and for optimizing protein digestion in the body.  When the body is unable to produce enough stomach acid, inadequate digestion and microbial overgrowth occurs.  One of the most important and underappreciated health principles is taking time and creating rituals to improve stomach acid levels.

The normal volume of the stomach acid fluid is 20-100 mL with a pH range from 1.5-3.5.  Due to the logarithmic nature of the pH scale, there is a significant difference between a pH of 1.5 and that of 3.0 or 3.5.  For healthy protein digestion, the pH should be in the 1.5-2.2 range.  That is a big jump and that is why it is so important to improve stomach acid levels for optimal digestion.

7 Major Functions of Stomach Acid

1. Sterilizes the Food: Whenever we consume food, bacteria and other microorganisms come in with the food (even if it was cooked or pasteurized).  The stomach acid helps to neutralize the bad invaders we don’t want in our system (1, 2).  (살균소독)
2. Protein Digestion: Stomach acid is necessary to begin the process of breaking down protein.  Have you ever marinated meat in vinegar?  Vinegar is not nearly as acidic as what your stomach acid should be, yet, over time it degrades the meat.  This is what your stomach acid should be doing in a much quicker fashion.        단백질 소화
3. Activating Pepsin: Pepsin is a proteolytic enzyme that is necessary for our body to effectively metabolize protein.  Stomach acid activates pepsin from its inactive form called pepsinogen. 단백분해효소 분비자극
4. Activating Intrinsic Factor: Stomach acid helps to activate intrinsic factor which is a glycoprotein produced in the stomach that is necessary for vitamin B12 absorption. 내인성 인자 분비자극
5. Stimulating the Delivery of Bile and Enzymes: Stomach acid helps to stimulate the release of bile from the liver and gall bladder and digestive enzymes from the pancreas. 담즙과 효소의 분비 자극
6. Closing the Esophageal Sphincter:  Stomach acid is an important trigger for the contraction of the esophageal sphincter (just above the stomach) to protect the soft, delicate tissue of the esophagus from the harsh acids in the stomach. 
7. Opening the Pyloric Sphincter: Stomach acid helps to active the pyloric sphincter which allows food to move from the stomach to the small intestine.

The Problem With Low Stomach Acid: 

When the body is unable to produce enough stomach acid, it is unable to digest protein molecules and key minerals (3).  These partially digested protein molecules get into the small intestine and create significant stress on the pancreas to produce adequate enzymes to metabolize the protein effectively.

If this occurs repeatedly over time, it will wear down the pancreatic enzyme storage and cause stress and irritation to the intestinal lining.  Additionally, if the protein molecules are not efficiently metabolized we are unable to absorb enough amino acids which are necessary for numerous vital functions of the body.    This can lead to amino acid deficiencies, poor healing and a breakdown of various important bodily functions. (4)

The large protein molecules and incomplete digestion irritates the gut lining, leading to leaky gut syndrome.  This process can trigger the development of auto-immune activity in the body.  Poor digestion also creates an environment suited for the development of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), Candida overgrowth and parasitic infections (5, 6).

When we digest our food poorly it leads to increased inflammatory activity which depletes key minerals and anti-oxidants throughout the body (8).   This mineral depletion leads to an inability to form stomach acid and the vicious cycle of poor digestion and chronic inflammation continues (7, 8).

12 Signs that You Have Low Stomach Acid:

The condition of low HCL causes poor digestive motility and sphincter activity.  This allows food contents to sit in the stomach and be metabolized by bacteria that are able to survive due to lack of stomach acid.  The result of this bacterial fermentation is gas which can cause bloating, cramping, belching, etc.

Here are the most common signs and symptoms that you have low stomach acid production.

1) Gas and Belching: With low HCL, this usually comes on shortly after a meal, within 60 minutes.

2) Acid Reflux: This is most commonly caused by low acid  (not too much acid) as explained in this article.

3) Bloating and Cramping: The gas production from the bacterial fermentation in the stomach produces this.  Again, it typically comes on within an hour of eating.

4) Chronic Bad Breath: This is due to the toxic metabolites produced through bacterial fermentation in the stomach.

5) Bad Body Odor: Poor stomach acid production leads to an overall microbial overgrowth throughout the body.  More microbes produce more stinky toxins.

6) Undigested Food in Stools: This is obvious, you are not able to completely metabolize the food you are consuming.

7) Aversion to Meat: Many people with low stomach acid desire to avoid meat and have digestive problems (as described above) when they eat it.  Especially red meat which is usually tougher and depends upon more HCL than whiter meats for digestion.

8) Tired After Meals: If the digestive process has to work twice as hard, it will cost us a lot of energy, leaving us tired.

9) Feeling Full But Still Hungry: You are full because food isn’t leaving your stomach, but you are hungry because you are not absorbing nutrients effectively.

10) Chronic Anemia: You aren’t having excessive bleeding, you are consuming enough iron in your diet (or even in supplements), yet you still have a non-responsive anemia (9).

11) Weak Fingernails: If your fingernails break, chip or peel easily it is a classic sign of nutrient deficiencies, especially protein, minerals and B12.

12) Frequent Nausea: Because your stomach gets full quickly, it can often trigger a nausea reflex.

Additionally, you may be more prone to food poisoning because the less stomach acid you are producing, the less able you will be to sterilize the food stuffs in the stomach.  Have you ever wondered why 2 people can eat the same dish, one gets sick and the other doesn’t.  It may have had to do with stomach acid production.

Some of the other symptoms that one may experience with low stomach acid include the following.

The Baking Soda Stomach Acid Test

Ingesting baking soda has been a natural remedy used for many years to help settle an upset stomach.  Baking soda contains sodium bicarbonate which has hydroxide (OH-) ions that reduce acidity.  Since reducing acidity can create more comfort in someone with acid reflux, baking soda developed this reputation.

- 베이킹 소다를 복용하여 위산부족 검사

- 베이킹 소다를 먹고 위산이 풍부한 사람은 5분내에 트림을 함. 위산이 부족한 사람은트림을 안함. 

There is a simple test you can do at your home in order to see if you have enough stomach acid.  This involves drinking baking soda in order to create a unique chemical reaction within your stomach.  This reaction happens when the (OH-) ions of the baking soda(sodium bicarbonate) and the hydrogen (H+) ions within the hydrochloric (stomach) acid (HCL).  This should naturally result in carbon dioxide gas production and a resulting burping effect.

This test is virtually free (excluding the cost of a ¼ tsp of baking soda) so there is nothing to lose.  I recommend doing this test because it is safe and has no cost and it can be done very easily.

However, the test isn’t without its flaws.  There are many variables that go uncontrolled for in this experiment.  To minimize extraneous variables, I recommend performing the test on 3 consecutive mornings in order to find an overall average.

With this method, you are looking for a pattern of results instead of a one-time “yes” or “no.”  Also, to improve the accuracy it is important to do the test first thing in the morning before eating or drinking anything else.

There are no scientific studies that discuss this method as either reliable or unreliable.  The results of the test can vary widely depending upon the individual so it is up to your interpretation from what you are experiencing with this.  Here is how you do the test:

Early and repeated belching may be due to excessive stomach acid (but don’t confuse these with small little burps from swallowing air when drinking the solution).  Any belching after 3 minutes is an indication of low stomach acid production.

The Betaine HCL Challenge Test:

This is a very reliable test you can perform if you have the symptoms above and failed the Baking soda test.  It will cost you a bottle of Betaine HCL ($20), which you will probably need anyways if to help you restore HCL levels if they truly are low.

To Perform the Test do the Following:

1. Buy some Betaine HCL with pepsin (we use Acid Prozyme)
2. Eat a high protein meal of at least 6 ounces of meat (you can have veggies too)
3. In the middle of the meal (never in the beginning) take 1 Betaine HCL pill
4. Finish the meal and observe what you notice.

Possible Outcomes:

1.  You Don’t Notice Anything:  If you do not notice any difference it is most likely that you have low stomach acid levels.
2.  You Notice Indigestion:  If you notice a burning, hotness or heaviness in your chest then these are signs you have adequate stomach acid levels.

It is best to do this test 2-3 times in order to make sure you aren’t getting a false positive.  There are 3 main reasons for someone getting a possible false positive.

1.  Didn’t Consume Enough Protein:  If it is a relatively low protein meal, you won’t need much HCL and therefore the supplement can cause too much of an increase.
2.  Took the Capsule Before the Meal:  This will almost always cause indigestion as your body isn’t ready for the supplement.
3.  Have Esophageal Sphincter Dysfunction:  For some individuals, they may have a hiatal hernia or poor contractile activity of the esophogeal sphincter that can cause an increase in indigestion like symptoms.  It is always good to get a medical exam to rule these things out before doing the test if possible.

After getting 2-3 positive tests in a row, begin using the HCL supplement with the protocol I give at the bottom of this article along with the 10 ways to improve your stomach acid levels.

10 Ways to Improve Stomach Acid Levels:  

These are tips to help improve your digestion if you have lower stomach acid levels.  By following these strategies, you reduce stress on your digestive system and absorb nutrients more effectively.  This will help your body to have the resources it needs to produce adequate stomach acid in the future.  When you improve stomach acid levels, it makes a huge difference on your overall health and quality of life!

1. Use Liquid Nutrition Throughout the Day: You should make at least half of your meals in a liquid form such as a protein shake or green smoothie.  Protein shakes are pre-metabolized and very easy to digest and do not depend upon HCL production.  If you have low HCL it is wise to have 1-2 protein shakes each day to enhance amino acid absorption and reduce stress on the GI system.  This is very important to improve stomach acid levels.

2. Use Ginger: Ginger is one of the best things for improving digestive juices.  Ginger is part of a group of herbs called carminatives along with peppermint, anise, cardamom, coriander, etc.  I recommend drinking 2-3 cups of ginger tea each day, you can put ginger essential oil in water (2-3 drops in 8oz of water),  juice a ½ inch of fresh gingerroot in a green juice each day and use ground ginger on your foods.  You can also consume fermented ginger which is common in Asian dishes such as kimchi.

3. Super Hydrate Outside of Meal Times: I am a HUGE advocate of optimal hydration and it is especially important if you have low stomach acid.  Good hydration will help activate bowel motility and push contents through the digestive system which will reduce microbial fermentation and toxicity in the body.

4. Drink Very Little With Meat Containing Meals: Anytime you are going to have meat or any sort of heavier food (not a smoothie or a veggie salad), you should cut off drinking water at least 30 minutes before the meal apart from perhaps 2oz for taking a supplement.  This will reduce any potential dilution of the gastric juices and allow for better digestion.

5. Hold Off On Water After a Meal: To allow for optimal digestion, I recommend abstaining from water or liquids until at least 30 minutes after a meal.  This allows for proper stomach acid activity, sterilization, protein metabolism, etc.

6. Use Lemon and Apple Cider Vinegar: Squeezing fresh lemon or using lemon juice or apple cider vinegar on your meat and veggies helps to pre-metabolize the food.   This allows for better digestion and nutrient absorption.  You can either marinate foods in a lemon or ACV base or just add them as a dressing right before you consume them.

7. Eat Protein Foods at the Beginning of the Meal: The stomach will begin churning out its stomach acid when you begin eating, especially when you are consuming protein.  It is very common for people to eat a salad before their protein dish, but this doesn’t work well for your HCL production.  It is a much better idea to eat your protein with the salad or veggies.

8. Use Fermented Veggies: Fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles, pickled ginger, etc. all contain organic acids, enzymes and probiotics which help to improve digestive juice secretions.  I recommend using one of these with all of your heavier meals and especially any meal with protein.

9. Use Fermented Drinks: Fermented drinks such as ACV, coconut water kefir and lemonwater (not fermented) contain organic acids that have an anti-microbial effect.  So these help to reduce the bacterial load, especially the bacteria in the stomach such as H Pylori.  Keeping H Pylori levels down is important for the body to be able to produce enough stomach acid.

10. Eat Your Largest Meal When You Are Most Relaxed:  In order to produce adequate stomach acid, your body needs to activate the parasympathetic nervous system.  If you are busy and on the go, you will be in fight or flight sympathetic mode.  If you struggle with low stomach acid, this is not going to allow you to produce anywhere near enough.  Relaxing before the meal is key to improve stomach acid production.

Use liquid and raw food nutrition such as smoothies, shakes and light salads  during your busier periods because these foods don’t depend upon much HCL production.  Plan your meat containing meal(s) for times when you can be relaxed at least 30 minutes before the meal and 1-2 hours after the meal.

If you are eating meat at a more stressful  time period, try taking a few deep breaths before you begin consuming your meal to help relax your body and pull you out of fight or flight.

Supplementing With Hydrochloric Acid:

One of the most important supplements I have ever worked with is supplemental hydrochloric acid.  I have seen this make a huge difference in so many people’s lives.  This is a betaine HCL tablets.  You should find them in dosage ranges of 300-500mg per capsule and in combination with 100-200 mg of Pepsin per capsule.

There are 2 protocols I use with my clients.  One is for those who have acid reflux on a regular basis while the other is for those who rarely (once a month or less) or never experience acid reflux.

Always take the Betaine HCL either half-way through the meal or right at the end of the meal.  Never take it before the meal or you may get a faulty experience of heartburn and you will turn off your natural stomach acid production for this meal.  Additionally, if you are taking any sort of NSAID medication such as ibuprofen, tylenol or aspirin do not take HCL.

If You Don’t Suffer From Acid Reflux:

Take 1 capsule during or after the meal (never before the meal) and see if you notice a mild burning sensation in your stomach, chest area.  This is a mild experience of indigestion or hearburn.  When you notice this with 1 cap of HCL, it is a sign you are producing enough HCL.  If not, you are not producing enough HCL.  At your next meal, try taking 2 caps and continue this until you find how much it takes to induce the indigestion/hearburn.

If 4 caps induces indigestion, then take 3 caps with your larger protein meals (not protein shakes or broth – only meals with meat and protein).  Once you begin feeling indigestion with 3 caps, drop it to 2, etc.

If You Suffer From Acid Reflux:

Do not take any ant-acids or acid reflux meds

Take 1 capsule during or directly after the meal (never before the meal) and see if you do not have the indigestion.  If you continue to have the indigestion, you need more.

At your next meal, take 2 caps and continue this process until you find the amount you need in order to not have indigestion.  Continue to use this amount until you notice you have indigestion again.  When you do, drop your dosage by 1 cap for your next meal.

If 4 caps took away your indigestion you can stay on that until you noticed that 4 caps now CAUSED indigestion.  Then you can drop your dosage to 3 caps until you notice the new amount causes indigestion.  When you notice indigestion at 3 caps, drop it to 2 and continue with this until you plateau or are able to completely eliminate the usage of the HCL caps.

Do I Need to Take Betaine HCL For Life?

This is the most common question I get from my clients after they see the remarkable results they get from optimizing their stomach acid and using the Betaine HCL caps.  Because stomach acid is something our body naturally should produce, this is a very valid question and concern.

The answer is maybe.  Individuals who are younger and healthier can absolutely regain near optimal HCL production and maintain that throughout life with the right plan.  Older individuals or those who have suffered with chronic health problems for a longer time may need extra stomach acid support for life.

Either way, your life will be much better by taking the HCL supplements you need so you can optimize your digestion rather than avoiding them or using them marginally.  Fortunately, they are one of the most inexpensive supplements you can find on the market.

Taking the time to improve stomach acid levels will make a huge difference on your health and quality of life if this is an issue for you!

Sources For This Article Include:

1. Dukowicz AC, Lacy BE, Levine GM. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth: A Comprehensive Review. Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 2007;3(2):112-122.

2. Pereira SP, Gainsborough N, Dowling RH. Drug-induced hypochlorhydria causes high duodenal bacterial counts in the elderly. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1998 Jan;12(1):99-104. PMID: 9692707

3. Champagne ET. Low gastric hydrochloric acid secretion and mineral bioavailability. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1989;249:173-84. PMID: 2543192

4. Low Stomach Acid: The Risks, the Symptoms, and the Solutions Link Here

5. Saltzman JR, Kowdley KV, Pedrosa MC, Sepe T, Golner B, Perrone G, Russell RM. Bacterial overgrowth without clinical malabsorption in elderly hypochlorhydric subjects. Gastroenterology. 1994 Mar;106(3):615-23. PMID: 8119531

6. Tennant SM, Hartland EL, Phumoonna T, Lyras D, Rood JI, Robins-Browne RM, van Driel IR. Influence of gastric acid on susceptibility to infection with ingested bacterial pathogens. Infect Immun. 2008 Feb;76(2):639-45. PMID: 18025100

7. Cater RE 2nd. The clinical importance of hypochlorhydria (a consequence of chronic Helicobacter infection): its possible etiological role in mineral and amino acid malabsorption, depression, and other syndromes. Med Hypotheses. 1992 Dec;39(4):375-83. PMID: 1494327

8. Britton E, McLaughlin JT. Ageing and the gut. Proc Nutr Soc. 2013 Feb;72(1):173-7. PMID: 23146206

9. Betesh AL, Santa Ana CA, Cole JA, Fordtran JS. Is achlorhydria a cause of iron deficiency anemia? Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Jul;102(1):9-19. PMID: 25994564

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