EP.275/ Low stomach acid and endometriosis: four common symptoms
Today is a super quick episode, as I wanted to give you guys a bit more of a bite size one as I know some of you have been loving those. And just a reminder, these bitesize episodes are not heavy and full of information and research, but I will link to a couple of extra episodes for further information if you want to do a deeper dive.
So today, I want to talk about stomach acid and endometriosis. You might be wondering what the hell stomach acid has to do with endo, but low stomach acid, is actually something I see a lot with my clients and students.
And this is because stomach acid gets depleted by chronic stress, chronic fatigue and SIBO – all problems that many of us with endo face.
But before we get into that, let’s just do a very brief intro on stomach acid. Stomach acid sits, fairly obviously, in the stomach and it’s the next part of the digestive process, after chewing. Food makes its way into the stomach, where acid further breaks it down to allow for the digestive enzymes, in the small intestine, to begin extracting all those lovely nutrients.
So, the stomach is not really where absorption of food happens, like calories, glucose and nutrients, but it’s an important part of that process, because if we don’t have enough and it’s struggling to do its job, then our digestive enzymes will have a hard time getting nutrients from that food. The stomach acid and stomach churn all that food up and breaks it down, so that the particles of food are much smaller and the digestive enzymes can get to work.
So, how do you know if low stomach acid is an issue for you?
Here are four of common signs:
You burp after meals. Yes, many of us with endo struggle with problems like bloating, gas, constipation or diarrhoea, and these can all be a sign of low stomach acid (though many other things too), but something I often see and is considered one of the tell-tale symptoms of low stomach acid, is burping after meals. This is not true for everyone with low stomach acid, but it is fairly common.
Number two is food, particularly meat or protein sources, feels like it’s just sitting in your stomach and it’s not going down. And that’s because it literally is just sitting there. Stomach acid plays a huge role in protein absorption, as the digestive enzyme that breaks down protein, called pepsin, loves the acidity of the stomach and actually gets to work on protein there. Now, I know I said most of the nutrient absorption kicks in in the small intestine, and that’s true, but protein gets broken down into amino acids in the stomach first, and then those amino acids are absorbed in the small intestine.
Number three is low B12 levels or B12 deficiency. The process of B12 breakdown begins in the stomach, where it is separated from foods and is later absorbed in the small intestine. Many older people tend to have B12 deficiency because stomach acid depletes as we age. Signs of B12 deficiency include numbness and tingling in the hands, feet, arms and legs, dizziness, fatigue, depression and heart palpitations, to name a few.
Number four is a little controversial, and that’s acid reflux and heartburn. So, in all of my training, from my women’s health coaching and endo trainings with Nicole Jardim and Dr Jessica Drummond, to my SIBO and IBS training with world leading SIBO doctor Dr Allison Siebecker and Dr Nirala Jacobi, we are taught that acid reflux and heartburn can be - and often are - signs of low stomach acid. Many IBS experts agree with this, but I do know that there is still debate around it, so we’ll see what the research brings with time.
The theory is that pressure can build up in the stomach, due to indigestion of the food, thanks to low stomach acid, which leads to stomach acid being pushed up into the oesophagus. There’s also a lot more we can discuss about this and why low stomach acid could cause acid reflux, but this is a bite sized episode so I don’t want to get too into the weeds here!
Whilst acid reflux can be caused by high stomach acid, I think it’s important to not rule out low stomach acid being the cause, especially if you have some of these other symptoms!
If you resonate with a lot of these, my suggestion is to listen to the episodes I’ve linked in the show notes, which will take you through first- and second-line therapies to begin healing the gut and improving stomach acid levels.
Now of course, in some cases, you’re going to need a bit more help and will require working with someone or taking a course etc. but beginning with these strategies, is a great place to start.
Show notes:
https://www.theendobellycoach.com/podcast/10-root-causes-of-bloating-with-endometriosis-endo-belly-ibs
https://www.theendobellycoach.com/podcast/what-is-the-endo-belly-endometriosis-ibs
https://www.theendobellycoach.com/podcast/endo-belly-treatment-endometriosis-ibs
https://www.theendobellycoach.com/podcast/endo-belly-treatment-endometriosis-ibs
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Can you help me save Jelly the kitten? We are currently travelling, working remotely, and within 24 hours of arriving in Montenegro, we met Jelly. He was extremely thin, with a distended stomach and a little lollypop head and bulging eyes. We took him to the vets where he was put on an IV drip for dehydration, and treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatories for a bacterial infection that has spread into his bloodstream from his intestines. His intestines are damaged due to excessive worms, which has caused him to become malnourished.
The vets have given us a very stark picture of the reality. If Jelly goes back on the streets, his condition will deteriorate and he will suffer until he eventually passes away. We have been told to find him a home where he can continue getting care or put him to sleep.
We have found him a foster home and a forever home in the UK, but the total cost is over £1200. We have already spent hundreds on vet visits getting him to this point, and need your help, if you can.
If you are able to and want to support, you can donate and read Jelly’s full story on our Go Fund Me page. I truly cannot express how much your support means to me, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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Produced by Chris Robson