Thirty-five years ago, when I was in chiropractic school, I became aware of the many research findings showing Americans having low stomach acid as they grow older. How many Americans take the proton pump inhibitors, like Prilosec? They take it because they were told they have too much acid in their stomachs. I always ask, did you take the Heidelberg test? I’ve never had one person say yes.
With the Heidelberg test, you swallow a capsule that will register the level of acidity in your stomach. Why is this test skipped? I wish they would do it before giving a proton pump inhibitor. Why?
Now researchers are finding that people who take the proton pump inhibitors have strep in their small intestines that comes from their mouth. The small intestine in not made to have many bacteria, so this causes people gastric problems.
Most often people have too little acid and need some hydrochloric acid to help break down their food. Then they can absorb the nutrients which will help increase their health. Ask me about this the next time I see you!