Antacid Use Increases Risk of Contracting Parasites & H-Pylori

Antacids are one of those "medicines" that seems unassumingly harmless, yet is anything but. I remember popping these like candy when I had acid reflux thinking like most people, I had too much stomach acid and it was causing reflux.

Did you know nearly 80-90% of people with acid reflux actually have too little stomach acid?

When we eat in a sympathetic state, (rushed, standing up, in the car...etc.) this doesn't allow our body's to work its magic for digestion. Normally our saliva produces enzymes to start digesting our food, and our stomach acid should be very acidic in order to digest, especially protein.

Consuming processed foods, alcohol and soda all negatively affect our stomach acid and contribute to it becoming weak (more alkaline).

Do you consume alkaline water? This can be one of the worst things you can do to harm your digestion which can be contributing to things like gas, bloating and indigestion.

Our stomach acid needs to be very acidic and plentiful, in order for the valve at the top of our stomachs to stay closed. When we don't have enough acid, it signals to the valve to stay open allowing acid to flow up to the esophagus.

When we experience that and think it's too acidic, and we take antacids, especially regularly, we are providing a very cozy environment for bacteria, parasites, and viruses to flourish since they prefer a more alkaline environment.

Overgrowth of H-pylori and enteric parasites have been linked to those taking antacids as they are opportunistic pathogens.

Instead of using antacids, (which can also be a source of aluminum), try using betaine HCL for protein digestion, DGL licorice root and digestive bitters to support liver/gallbladder digestion of fats.