by Dr. Gordie
Hydrochloric Acid and pH Balance
Ok, let’s talk about acid…. You know, that “burning sensation” they talk about in Pepto-Bismal ads on TV. This will be a little technical at first. But trust me, it’s worth hanging in there.
Acid is essentially the presence of hydrogen (H+) ions in a solution. Hydrochloric acid is the acid that comes from a substance containing hydrogen ions (H+) and chloride ions (chlorine)…i.e. opposed to “sulfuric acid” (hydrogen and sulfur).
The oxyntic cells of the stomach lining produce hydrochloric acid. It is produced using the energy from ATP (cellular energy exchange unit) which actively separates chloride ions from the cell and then combines it with hydrogen ions to form hydrochloric acid. The presence of carbon dioxide (a by-product of cellular metabolism i.e. “exhale it”) forms carbonic acid. This is dependent on the enzyme carbonic acid anhydrase. The carbonic acid forms hydrogen ion (H+ - acid) and bicarbonate. This bicarbonate is needed to decrease the acidity “OUT” of the stomach to the small intestine.
In order to break down and digest food we need acid. Strong acid! Protein is digested in the stomach when strong HCI (hydrochloric acid) is present. Now pH is a measurement of acidity or alkalinity. A pH of 7.0 is “neutral,” a pH of 6 is slightly acidic but, because the pH scale is a logarithmic scale (think Richter and earthquakes) in truth it is 10 times more acid then 7. A pH of 5 is 10 times more acidic then 6; 4 is 10 times more acidic than 5 etc. You get the picture.
The oxyntic cell produces acid at about pH 0.8 (less than 1 - a very strong acid!). By the time it mixes with stomach juices, the pH is somewhere between 2-3. Pepsin is an enzyme needed to breakdown collagen, a protein found in flesh/connective tissue. Pepsin only works in an acid environment. If the pH gets up to 4 or 5 (less acidic) then it does not work.
“Acid Reflux” is a common condition these days. If you do not think so just watch the TV ads (we should all diagnose our “diseases” by the TV ads - right). Acid blockers (yes, that pink stuff in the blue bottle) are here to help with this horrible “disease“ - (dis-ease). While it is true that some people over produce acid, it has been my clinical experience that the reverse is true. Most Applied Kinesiologists would probably agree.
If you under-produce acid, then the stomach’s contents do not break down sufficiently or quickly. The stomach can continue to “churn,” and eventually some regurgitation of those stomach contents irritates the esophagus. Now pH 4 or 5 is inadequate for protein digestion, but is more than adequate to burn the lower esophagus which is not “lined” sufficiently to handle stomach acid. Blocking the production of acid may reduce the acid reflux symptoms, but at what cost? Less and less acidity interferes more and more with the proper digestion of protein, and the absorption of minerals like calcium and zinc. Next > 1 2
