HCl Deficiency Achlordria or Hypochlorhydria

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HCl Deficiency(Achlordria or Hypochlorhydria)

• By Bobby Yarnall, Dustin Jensen-Reiber, Rachel
  Hanson

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Hydrochloric Acid

• Acetylcholine (neurotrasmitter) from the Vagus
  nerve and/or Gastrin (hormone) from G-cells
  trigger histamine (paracrine) release to activate
  the secretion of HCl from parietal cells.
• Stomach produces 1-3 liters/day of HCL.
• Lowers the pH of the stomach to between 1.5 and
  2.5, but can reach as low as 1.
• HCl production declines with age.

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How HCl is Secreted (note that all
parts of the mechanism take place simultaneously)

• An active transport pump brings K into the
  parietal cell, simultaneously secreting H from
  the cell to the lumen. As much K returns by this
  route as leaks in.
• Potassium ions, K, diffuse passively from the
  parietal cell into the lumen.
• Chloride ions, Cl-, diffuse passively from the
  cell to the lumen, and their negative charges
  balance the positive charges of the secreted H.
• An exchanger on the opposite face of the parietal
  cell balances this loss of Cl- by importing Cl-
  from the blood in exchange for bicarbonate ions
  (HCO3-).
• Within the cell, water reacts with carbon dioxide
  (CO2) to form carbonic acid (H2CO3), which
  dissociates into H and HCO3-.

In summary, the secreted HCl arises from H (from
water) and Cl- from the blood. Both accumulate
only in the lumen and not in the parietal cell.
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Signs, Symptoms Indicators of Achlordria or
Hypochlorhydria

• Bowel Movements (offensive smelling stool.) ?
• Gastro Intestinal Problems
• Meal related bloating/burping
• Delayed gastric emptying
• Flatulence
• Nails Have White Spots
• Skin Conditions
• Adult acne
• Eczema
• Sleep or Drowsiness after meals

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Benefits Maintains a Sterile Environment

• Lowers the pH of the stomach
• Renders the stomach sterile against
  most orally ingested pathogens
• Prevents bacterial or fungal overgrowth
  of the small intestine (Helps keep 3 pounds of
  bacteria from moving back up the small
  intestine!)
• Helicobacter pylori does not grow in a low pH
  (highly acidic) environment (It can cause stomach
  inflammation and ulcers.)

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Benefits Activates Pepsinogen

• Pepsinogen is an enzyme which
  starts the digestion of proteins.
• It is produced by chief cells found in
  gastric pits in the stomach.
• Pepsinogen is activated when HCl
  cleaves off a portion of the molecule,
  exposing the active site that begins splitting
  off fragments of peptides, beginning protein
  digestion.

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Benefits Encourages the flow of bile and
pancreatic enzymes

• Chyme, (the mix of acid and food) passes through
  the pyloric sphincter into the small intestine
• Stimulates the release of the hormone Secretin
  that initiate release of pancreatic enzymes and
  bile (If Chyme isnt at 5.0 or lower, Secretin
  release is inhibited.)
• Without proper pancreatic enzymes
  bile, nutrient digestion and
  absorption is hindered

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Treatments for an HCl Deficiency

• Botanical
• Cayenne Pepper Capsaicin, the active ingredient
  in cayenne, is believed to assist digestion by
  stimulating the flow of both salvia and stomach
  secretions.
• Diet
• Vinegar Apple cider vinegar or lemon juice taken
  with meals mildly stimulates hydrochloric acid
  production.
• Digestion
• Hydrochloric Acid (Trial) Some people with low
  stomach acid have no symptoms that are obviously
  related, and are led to believe they are
  digesting properly, when they are not. An HCl
  trial is a safe, worthwhile, and relatively
  accurate way to discover if an insufficiency
  exists.
• Digestive enzyme (Trial) A trial using
  plant-based enzymes to enhance digestion
  demonstrated their additional benefit of
  improving hydrochloric acid production in those
  individuals who were hypochlorhydric.
• Vitamins
• Vitamin Folic Acid supplemental use of
  hydrochloric acid normalizes folate absorption.
• Vitamin B-Complex Several B-vitamins are needed
  to support hydrochloric acid production.

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Analogy

• The stomach is your kitchen sink, full of dirty
  dishes (food), and HCl is the soap you add to the
  water. The soap kills bacteria and helps to break
  down the food stuck on the dishes, just like HCl.
  
• Only when you are done with the dishes in the
  sink, you turn on the disposer to grind up any
  remaining food further down in the trap,
  finishing the job.
• If you dont have enough soap to do the dishes,
  the plumbing gets clogged and stinks up the place!