Our digestive tract is one of the key interfaces between the external environment and our bloodstream. Much of our perception of our environment comes from our digestive tract. When the digestive tract is damaged, it produces rampant inflammation and stress throughout the entire body. Poor digestion is more the rule than the exception in our society. Our culture doesn’t prioritize the time and energy our digestive system needs to optimally process the food we consume. We often eat multiple meals a day, including very large meals with foods that do not digest well together. We eat on the go, deal with stressful activities while eating, or shortly after, and consume toxic irritants on a regular basis. Good Digestion Begins in the Stomach: Hydrochloric acid is necessary for creating an acidic environment in the stomach to digest protein and ionize minerals. This also helps to stimulate bile release from the gallbladder to effectively metabolize fat in the small intestine. Without these key functions working optimally, we become at risk for anemia, thyroid problems, osteoporosis, and autoimmunity (1,2,3). Low stomach acid is a very common problem, especially in older individuals or those who have suffered from various infections like H. Pylori, been on antibiotics, and other medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (4, 5, 6). Low stomach acid sets the stage for damage to the delicate lining of the digestive tract. What Are The Symptoms Associated With Low Stomach Acid? What Is The Importance Of Healthy Stomach Acid? When you have low stomach acid, you are unable to effectively break down protein in the stomach. This allows very large proteins to get into the small intestine and creates major stress on the pancreas to produce enough enzymes to metabolize the proteins. This ultimately wears out the pancreatic enzyme stores and creates stress and irritation throughout the gut. It also leads to insufficient absorption and utilization of key amino acids that make up the protein molecules (7) Large proteins and incomplete digestion can irritate the lining of the intestinal wall and trigger autoimmune activity in different regions of the body. Improper protein digestion also leads to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and fuels Candida and other parasites. It also creates an acidic bloodstream and depletes minerals throughout the body. Mineral depletion leads to the inability to form stomach acid, and the vicious cycle continues. Vicious Cycle of Low Stomach Acid: What Is Acid-Zyme? Acid Pro-Zyme provides a variety of health-supportive factors. L-glutamic acid, betaine HCl, and pepsin, a proteolytic enzyme, assist in protein digestion. Gentian root, an herbal bitter, promotes normal secretion of saliva and gastric acid for digestive support. HCl(hydrochloric acid) supports nutrient absorption and helps maintain a healthy gastric pH, which, in turn, can support healthy gastric ecology. Support of natural gastric secretions and acidity helps support normal digestion, absorption, and immune health.[8] Maintaining an acidic pH in the stomach helps support normal gastric and intestinal flora as well.[9,10] Betaine HCL: This is the best form of supplemental hydrochloric acid for improved digestion (11). Betaine HCl, the acidic form of betaine, has traditionally been used to support digestion and absorption due to its ability to lower gastric pH.(12) Betaine Hydrochloride (HCl) Betaine (also known as trimethylglycine) is a natural substance found in foods such as beets and spinach. Research suggests that betaine supports cell health by acting as a methyl donor, and this, in turn, supports healthy methionine, homocysteine, and hepatic fat metabolism. Betaine also functions as an osmolyte, which supports the integrity of cells and proteins during fluctuations in hydration, salinity, and temperature. Pepsin: This is a very important proteolytic enzyme that should always accompany any Hydrochloric acid supplement. Pepsin is the only major digestive enzyme in the stomach, is dependent upon Hydrochloric acid production. If one is not producing enough hydrochloric acid, the stomach will not secrete pepsin, which will further hamper protein digestion. This is extremely common as people age. Porcine pepsin, in addition to betaine HCl, is provided in Acid Pro-Zyme with the goal of promoting more endogenous pepsin production.[13] L-Glutamic Acid: This amino acid can be obtained from dietary protein or synthesized endogenously from other amino acids, such as glutamine. L- glutamic acid is used in GastrAcid as an acidifying agent. Gentian Root: This herb helps to soothe and heal an irritated stomach and intestinal lining and naturally stimulates the flow of stomach acid, bile, and pancreatic enzymes for optimal digestion. The active ingredients in the root include the bitter glycosides gentiopicrin and amarogentin. These digestive bitters provide the digestive system with a full array of nutrients for proper function. People with low stomach acid have irritated stomach and intestinal linings. It is important to not only support the stomach acid production process but also provide key nutrients to support the healing process of the entire digestive system. These nutrients also stimulate proper mucous secretions to protect the sensitive stomach and intestinal lining. Due to the stimulant effect that gentian root has on endogenous production of HCl, individuals may be able to discontinue Acid Pro-Zyme after a period of use.[14, 15] What Is The Recommended Use? Acid Pro-Zyme is formulated with a variety of compounds and is designed to support gastric acidity, digestion, and normal gastrointestinal flora. Acid Pro-Zyme should be taken with, or immediately following, a meal. Do not use if there is a prior history of, or a current complaint of, a peptic or duodenal ulcer. What Is The Recommended Dosage? Normal Dosage: Take during or directly after a protein-based meal (not a shake—basically a meal with meat) and take enough to develop mild heartburn. If 3 capsules induce mild heartburn, then take 2 capsules with each protein meal until you begin experiencing heartburn again…then drop to 1 capsule, etc. Acid Reflux Dosage: If you already have acid reflux, then take enough to where you no longer experience reflux (let’s say 4 capsules) and take that amount until you experience heartburn again, and then drop to 3 capsules, etc. Be sure to take it during the meal if you typically have acid reflux (about 3–4 bites into the meal is great). When introducing a new supplement, we recommend beginning with the lowest dose for 2-3 days. As tolerated, increase the dose until you have reached the recommended normal or advanced guidelines. Reduce to a tolerable dosage if adverse effects occur.
