The increased use of antacids for indigestion is alarming. If you experience so-called indigestion, bloating, and gas, taking antacids is not the right thing to do. You should be taking more acid instead. Yes, you read correctly: you do not have sufficient stomach acid; you should be taking additional acid. Let us look at the physiology, that is a fancy word for “how the body works.”

If you are lacking sufficient stomach acid, the food you eat, especially carbohydrates, begin to break down in the stomach and ferment. A by-product of fermentation is gas, usually carbon dioxide. As the gas accumulates, the stomach distends and you experience bloating and expel gas and regurgitate. The stomach contents are irritating to the lower and upper esophagus. You mistakenly interpret this as acidic because it burns.

Taking antacids, as logical as it might appear to control what you might think is excess stomach acid, is the wrong thing to do. In fact, taking antacids further aggravates the situation so that you have to continue taking more antacids – something the makers on antacids just love for their bottom line.

As we get older and because many are deficient in the proper nutrients to keep the body healthy, the ability of the body to make stomach acid diminishes. So it is imperative in these individuals to try a course of acid capsules. Immediate relief results, if indeed low stomach acid is the problem.

The Role of Heliobacter pylorus

There is a bacterium, Heliobacter pylorus , which can inhabit the areas of the lower stomach near the exit at the pylorus valve – the valve which controls the stomach's flow into the duodenum, the first portion of the small intestine. This bacterium is associated with the development of stomach ulcers, the usual so-called “peptic ulcer,” and cancer. A blood test can be performed which measures the presence of antibodies to the Heliobacter bacterium.

In my humble opinion, the Heliobacter bacterium thrives in the presence of low stomach acid and its growth is inhibited when stomach acid is normal. So it is imperative over the long haul to insure you have sufficient stomach acid to inhibit the growth of Heliobacter and prevent stomach ulcers and cancer.

Case History

CB presented in my office with the chief complaint of bloating and gas for many years. She became very adept at expelling oral gas without anyone really noticing it. She was popping antacids to control the problem and gastro-enterologist physicians had literally tested her “up-the-gazu.” She had been extremely uncomfortable for many years.

Laboratory analysis showed the presence of Heliobacter pylorus antibodies.

She was started on stomach acid capsules and the indigestion, bloating, and gas ceased. She was essentially cured. This was such a simple solution to a problem which most physicians just do not recognize.

In summary, if you experience indigestion, bloating and gas, and think you need antacids, please seek the advice of a nutritionally enlightened physician who understands the importance of treating low stomach acid.

nicola michael c. Tauraso, M.D.
Tauraso Medical Clinic
www.drtauraso.com