Stomach acid is found where? The stomach. It is also known as gastric juices. The stomach and its acid is key in the digestive system.
The stomach acid’s main role is to soak and break down your food ready for the rest of the journey through the intestines. The broken down food is absorbed in the intestinal lining and used as energy and for its nutritional value; and who knows what else (room for mystery). The rest is pooped out especially if insoluble fiber, such as what sunchokes, kale, and sweet potatoes contain. Insoluble means it doesn’t break down like soluble fiber. Sources of soluble fiber are skinless potatoes, blueberries, nuts, lentils, oats and apples. Think skin think insoluble. For now, we will keep it simple.
The other role that stomach acid has is to protect us from pathogens or unwanted microbes. Those small microscopic particles that need to move along out of the body. Nature at play! Good ole nature.
The stomach acid is key in soaking your just eaten food(s). When it works well, it is necessary for good health.
Other Stuff
Worth a quick mention. and why we read food labels and ask about what goes into our food. What is the other stuff? Toxins and unnatural foreign stuff. Some may move along while some is nano particles (very very small) and may just get absorbed through the intestinal walls. May our body get rid of them some how. In the process, we may experience side effects of bloating, gas, low energy, irritation, and vomiting. The body knows best and will yell out to tell you so. Some may accumulate if your body is not properly eliminating. Let’s focus eliminating well and recognizing what belongs and what does not. wink wink
Nutritional Value
It is necessary to break down what we eat for absorption through the intestinal lining. It likes things small, the smaller the better. After nutrition is absorbed, it goes to where it is needed and assembles/reassembles as needed. Imagine each nutrient from vitamin B1 to iron has an energetic signature. With the body’s intelligence, it sends the vitamins to where they are needed. There may very well be priorities such as the blood gets the needed calcium first. The body has it all figured out so we do not have to think about it. It is automatic like our autonomic nervous system.
Stomach Acid Makeup
The main component of stomach acid is hydrochloric acid (HCl) but it also contains digestive enzymes, proteins, electrolytes, and water.
In order to produce stomach acid, your nutritional intake needs to include zinc, B vitamins and iron. Water and carbon dioxide is needed in the production of the stomach acid. Cells in the stomach lining produces the acid and secretes it into the stomach. This could be as much as 1.5 liters per day.
Empty and Full
When you are truly hungry (not thirsty or dehydrated), your stomach may growl. Let’s say you require some food. The first key step is to CHEW your food well. In presentations, I ask this question:
What is one of the most important things for your health, it’s free, easy to do, simple, and a four letter word?
CHEW chew CHew chEw Chewwww
How many times?
That depends. To keep it simple and to save you from counting, drink your food (chew until liquid) or chew your liquid (because it isn’t water, it is food.)
As you chew well, take your sweet time in joying your food, some time will have passed (20+ minutes) and your body will signal that you are full. Listen for it. Overeating stresses the stomach, uses up more stomach acid than it can produce. Need more stomach acid then you best be consuming the foods that contain the nutrients required to make the stomach acid. The food may sit in your stomach longer than it should. Undigested foods may enter the intestines which may cause bloating and gas.
Everyone is unique.
It comes from an Old English root, ceowan, “to gnaw or chew.”
Low Stomach Acid
Most may think when they experience acid reflux that they have too much acid but most of the time, it is the opposite. In Iridology (the study of the coloured part of the eye), there is a dull and darker ring/halo in the digestive area (around the pupil). This indicates there is low stomach acid. With less acid, poor absorption is likely which can lead to nutritional deficiencies and a burden on the rest of the digestive system.
Solutions
Simple:
- chew as needed,
- in joy good eating practices,
- reduce tension/stress in your life
Although it sounds simple, it will take practice not perfection. Start with the desire and begin your journey to a healthier digestive system which is a part of the big whole puzzle of good health.
Chew on this ‘your stomach acid’ requires you to CHEW. Let it know what is its upcoming task. The digestive juices flow for your better digestion.
Cheryl Millett
Champion for your better health…
Before the age of 20, it never dawned on me that what I chose to put in my mouth would have such a dramatic effect on my well being.
On my path of discovery, I learned that our eating choices directly affected how much energy we have first thing in the morning or that it would build our immune system strength during flu season. Part of it was coming to understand how gentle nutritional cleansing directly helped overcome my health challenges. People keep telling me how beautiful my skin is or how I look younger.
As my studies continued, it became obvious that there is an intrinsic connection between the mind, body, and spirit which directly affects our health and happiness. Omegas are another critical piece of the wellness puzzle. The Auum omegas alone turned on some switches in my brain in just one day.
I have developed a deep appreciation for the wonderful miracle workers our bodies are in the recovery process. Our bodies have natural intelligence. I am passionate to share the connection between nutrition and wellness in my practice and my presentations.
