According to Yor D. Andonova, integrative dietitian and expert in psychoneuroimmunology and clinical nutrition, specialized in digestive pathologies and microbiota, the decrease in stomach acid is a consequence of reduced gastric juices, which can ultimately lead to an imbalance in the microbiota and a reduction in stomach functionality.
We interviewed her at Europa Press Infosalus because she has recently published ‘Live Longer and Better with Good Digestion’ (HarperCollins), a manual in which she explains that gastric juices represent the content we have in the stomach and are responsible for digesting our food. «The reduction of gastric juices is the main cause of problems in people with digestive issues. Ultimately, they act like teachers, keeping bacteria in check and preventing overgrowth. They are the first line of defense,» explains this expert.
She explains that gastric juices are typically composed of a mixture of hydrochloric acid, which mixes with bile and enzymes in the duodenum. «Gastric juices are produced in the stomach, which acts like a washing machine that mixes the contents, breaking them into smaller pieces before they pass into the duodenum where nutrients are absorbed,» she emphasizes.
THE STOMACH, THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF DIGESTION
Andonova emphasizes that the stomach is the most crucial part of digestion, thanks in part to gastric juices: «When we have good gastric juices, the stomach digests food well, absorbs nutrients efficiently, and we don’t experience heavy digestions. However, if gastric juices are not functioning properly, it affects the entire digestive system. If the gastric juices are not right, the stomach doesn’t close properly, leading to heavy digestion and intestinal bloating due to poor digestion in the upper part.»
She notes in the book that for the cardia to maintain its tight closure, stomach pH needs to be between 1 and 3.5. «When the pH rises above these levels due to a decrease in gastric juices, intestinal problems start. Beyond those levels, the cardia doesn’t close tightly because it perceives that acidity in the stomach is not sufficient,» she warns.
Furthermore, she explains that initially, the common signs are occasional acidity or heartburn, but if this persists, the next step is an overgrowth of Helicobacter pylori, which can transition from one stage to another easily within a couple of years.
WHY THE AMOUNT OF GASTRIC JUICES DECREASES
As indicated by this integrative dietitian, the most significant reason for the reduction in gastric juices is stress: «We are connected through the vagus nerve, which is connected to the viscera, intestine, and stomach. When we are stressed, the stomach doesn’t understand why we would eat when we are nervous. Additionally, a reduction in gastric juices can be triggered by poor diet, or the use of certain medications like omeprazole.»
Other factors that contribute to the reduction in gastric juices include inadequate chewing, age (especially over 60), toxin consumption, excessive or recurrent use of medications, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, overuse of acid inhibitors, low-protein diets, and thyroid imbalances.
Common symptoms of reduced gastric juices include abdominal bloating, reflux or heartburn between meals, heavy digestion, heartburn, feeling of throat mucus, deficiency of vitamins and minerals, gas, visible food particles in stool, or increased mucus in stool.
Reference:
Europa Press – https://img.europapress.es/fotoweb/fotonoticia_20250305083548_120.jpg
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