HCL Challenge;
One of the first steps in the Bio-Signature Modulation (Bio-sig) process with all clients is to test their stomach hydrochloric acid (HCL) levels. This is of utmost importance within bio-sig as HCL is needed in the initial breakdown of proteins we ingest by activating the production of pepsinogen to pepsin, it assists the body in fighting orally ingested pathogens by keeping the stomach sterile, it helps prevent bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, and it also triggers the flow of bile from the gall bladder as well as pancreatic digestive enzymes. HCL has multiple roles one more of which is facilitating the proper absorption of multiple nutrients (zinc, folic acid, beta-carotene, ascorbic acid, iron, calcium, selenium, chromium, copper, vanadium, cobalt, magnesium, and B vitamins). Low levels of stomach HCL due to the poor absorption of nutrients can of course contribute to a host of other health issues because of the potential for nutrient deficiency (asthma, allergies, skin conditions, diabetes, anemia, and arthritis). You can eat salmon and broccoli every day, but if you can not assimilate it – it is of little use to you.
Luckily testing of proper levels of HCL is quite easy (will get to later), but the physical symptoms of low stomach acid are;
– Belching, bloating, and gas after meals
– Feeling of nausea after taking supplements
– Heartburn or Reflux
– Undigested food in stool
– Skin rashes (acne rosacea, eczema, psoriasis)
– Vertical ridges in the nails
– Bad breath
– Stomach pain
– Depression
– Estrogen build-up
– Loss of taste for meat
The condition of low stomach acid is known as hypochlorhydria, and numbers vary, but many holistic health care practitioners state that 60-99% of North Americans suffer from hypochlorhdria. Our experiences at Synergy show that the numbers are much higher than 60% as most people tested show low levels of HCL initially. One thing to consider with regard to lower HCL production and nutrient absorption is your ability to recover from workouts and repair tissues. Leg and foot cramps have been linked to low HCL due to the low level absorption of nutrients – in order to improve digestion and recovery ability testing your HCL levels is a must.
Most people ask what might cause lowered HCL levels. The biggest causative factor is stress, as Charles Poliquin always says “We are under 100 times more stress than our grandparents” – do you have a smart phone, email address, deadlines, toxic food supply, toxins and chemicals surrounding you everyday… of course you do. We are all exposed to high levels of stress everyday which will raise our levels of cortisol and lower our levels of HCL. Other factors of lowered HCL are age (we lose 1%/year after the age of 20), poor diet (excess carbohydrate consumption), H. Pylori infection, food sensitivities, high toxicity, and the use of certain medications such as corticosteroids, antibiotics, and antacids.
So, how does one test this?
Step one – consume one Digest Force (HCL + pepsin) tab with your first meal of the day in the middle of the meal
o You are looking for a warm sensation in your stomach, which can not be missed as it feels like a very warm tea or coffee in your stomach. If the warmth is high simply drink a glass of water to alleviate it.
o Do not drink a lot of water with your meals as it will dilute the digestive enzymes
Step two – if no burning sensation if felt than take two Digest Force tabs with your next meal (not the same meal, but the following meal). If still no burning sensation continue on to step three.
Step Three – take three tabs Digest Force with your next meal (this is meal #3). Continue this process until you have reached 7 total Digest Force tabs at meal 7. If you reach the 7th meal then you have failed the HCL challenge test. Do not fret – this simply means that you are a great candidate for HCL supplementation (talk to a coach).
By supplementing HCL levels one can drastically improve digestion, nutrient absorption, immune function, and any of the listed symptoms above. This might be one of the simplest, but most profound tests one can do to look at digestion processes and overall health as your stomach acid levels influence much more than your protein and upper digestive tract health.
** If you have peptic ulcers please do not complete the HCL challenge test.
** Most assume that acid reflux is a symptom of high HCL levels, but it has been found that most subjects who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) improve dramatically with HCL supplementation. At Synergy we have helped multiple individuals suffering GERD with HCL supplementation rather than the opposite (doctor recommended antacids, which have been shown to increase the chance of osteoporosis and bone fractures) of decreasing HCL levels.
