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Stomach Acid essential for Calcium Absorption
Do you often suffer from
heartburn or an upset
stomach � particularly after you eat? Do you feel bloated or gassy, or have
irregular bowel movements? this might be sign of vacillating stomach acid.
Effective
calcium absorption begins in the stomach. Calcium is broken down in the
stomach by stomach acid, and then moves through the small intestine. In the
intestine, it is actually mainly absorbed in the duodenum. It must be absorbed
before the alkaline bile in the small intestine renders the intestinal
environment too alkaline for the calcium to be absorbed. If this does not
happen, the calcium will pass through without being used. The element calcium
must go through this
digestive process to be ionized or bio-available to your body. By the time
this process takes place, you may end up with only 5% to 14% of usable calcium
depending on the type of calcium. If the stomach produces too little stomach
acid (hydrochloric acid), calcium remains insoluble and cannot be
ionized, which is necessary for it to be assimilated in the intestines.
Ionization is the process where an atom changes its structure so that it can
combine with other elements.
The proper level of hydrochloric acid in the stomach is so important that its
lack in the digestive process can account for as much as 80 percent loss of
available calcium absorption. Studies show stomach acid secretion decreases with
age, and, by
menopause, 40 percent of women may be severely deficient in this natural
stomach acid.
After age 60 you produce only 25% of the stomach acid you did when
you were 20. In Menopause it is estimated that 40% of the women do not
have enough stomach acid to digest calcium supplements. After 45, in
females there tends to be insufficient hydrochloric acid to break down
the calcium in the stomach. In the aged this becomes much worse. In many
cases the function of both the stomach acid and intestines is greatly
impacted. They may not be able to absorb enough calcium to prevent falls
and fractures.
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Why fall in Stomach Acid?
 Factors
leading to reduced stomach acid production include a diet of over-cooked,
over-processed, lifeless foods which no longer contain naturally occurring
enzyme activity, as well as the excess consumption of
antacid medications. Other
factors that might adversely affect calcium absorption would include: Poor
intestinal health such as those suffering from Crohn's disease,
irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis experience. Mineral
imbalance with phosphorus such as might be caused by an over consumption of high
phosphorus foods like meats, processed snack foods and especially carbonated
soft drinks which contain phosphoric acid. Caffeine, which can bind with calcium
and through its natural diuretic action, increase the excretion of many
minerals. This diuretic action would also be a result of excess alcohol
consumption.
Low levels of calcium in the blood (especially one particular form of
calcium, called free ionized calcium) may cause a condition called tetany, in
which nerve activity becomes excessive. Symptoms of tetany include muscle pain
and spasms, as well as tingling and/or numbness in the
hands and feet.
Dietary Modifications to Improve Stomach Acid Levels:
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Increase your
fiber intake with cereals such as bran. Watch out, the daily diet should
include 18g of fibre obtained from ordinary foods - not concentrated bran or
bran tablets
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Drink at least eight glasses of filtered
water a day.
-
Eat raw, crushed garlic, which contains allicin, an antimicrobial
compound that combats bacteria.
-
If you're not lactose intolerant, consume plain, unpasteurized yogurt
with active cultures.
-
Eat wild-caught salmon, albacore tuna, avocados and sprouted nuts (but
not peanuts) to elevate your omega-3 essential fatty acids.
Foods and beverages to reduce or avoid:
 Some
foods contain oxalic acid which binds with calcium making the calcium unable to
be absorbed. Foods with oxalic acid include Swiss chard, spinach, tomato, beet
greens, cocoa, soybeans, cashews, and kale. High phosphate diets which include
excessive red meat and carbonated soft drinks hinder calcium absorption. High
fat diets are a problem because they cause deficient bile production. Caffeine
drinks cause the kidneys to expel Calcium at a higher rate. So does excessive
alcohol, by causing acid reflux . Avoid refined sugars and artificial
sweeteners. Sugar encourages bacterial growth. This increases your need for
Calcium.
Any nutritional program that wishes to properly address
osteoporosis and other conditions caused by a lack of calcium and calcium
absorption MUST include supplements which provide for the adequate replacement
of lost stomach acid.
Note: Always seek a doctor's advice before taking medication.
Reference:
- WF Team
Dated 13 December 2011
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