Hypochlorhydria occurs when the stomach produces insufficient amounts of Hydrochloric acid.
This condition is usually mistaken for acidity, as the symptoms are similar. However, a full fifty percent of individuals over 60 years of age are Hypochlorhydirac and, of all the patients coming to a doctor, up to 50% of them have underlying Hypochlorhydria.

• Unexplained bloating.
• Belching.
• Heartburn.
• Voracious appetite.
• Constipation
• Diarrhea.
• Food seems to sit in the stomach far too long after a meal.

A balanced and sensible diet accompanied with moderate exercise can go a long way in minimizing the risk of falling a prey to digestive Malfunction of mind or bodys including hypochlorhydria.

The HCL in the stomach serves many important functions including the breakdown of protein. It also keeps the body free from harmful bacteria and substances by destroying them (through the acid). A person suffering from Hypochlorhydria will be unable to do this because of a deficiency of the acid in the stomach. The harmful substances will not be destroyed but carried into the small intestine along with the food supply (the bacteria usually enter the body with the food ingested by the individual), thus making the individual susceptible to various forms of Problem created due to harmful organisms.

There probably is a root cause, although we are unaware of what it may be. It has been suspected that it has something to do with an as yet unrecognized nutritional deficiency, but there is no evidence to back this theory.

There also is the possibility that the parietal cells of the stomach, which make hydrochloric acid, simply die off before the rest of the organism. Perhaps each individual has certain cell lines, which are destined to die before the entire organism bites the dust. It also may be that industrial pollution and the pollution of our food supply with pesticides, herbicides and preservatives contributes to the early demise of parietal cells.

Anyone with any of the symptoms or conditions above should have a Heidelberg test or a test trial on hydrochloric acid supplementation. While the Heidelberg test is rather expensive, it more than pays for it when the proper diagnosis is made Under your doctor's supervision, you may elect to take Betaine HCL with your meals. If you are able to do this without a burning sensation, and if your symptoms are alleviated, this is sufficient, in my opinion, to confirm a diagnosis of hypochlorhydria

Until the body can begin secreting adequate levels of HCl on its own, supplemental HCL should be used (some cases of hypochlorhydria are irreversible). Only use supplemental HCL under the supervision of a healthcare professional.

Without adequate stomach acid, food is not properly digested, many nutrients are not properly absorbed, toxic organisms that contaminate our food are not destroyed, and the next step in the digestive process, the release of digestive enzymes by the pancreas, is not activated. The undigested food continues through the intestinal tract and becomes a food supply for toxic bacteria and yeast, fostering their overgrowth. 

Stomach acid adequacy can be measured with invasive tests. A simple, non-invasive way to gauge stomach acid sufficiency is to challenge it with a base-sodium bicarbonate or baking soda. What you do is, first thing in the morning, before eating, mix 1/4 teaspoon of fresh baking soda into eight ounces of water and drink it. Time how long it takes you to belch. As the baking soda reacts with the stomach acid, carbon dioxide gas is formed and belched. It is normal to belch within two to three minutes. Not belching within five minutes is a crude indication of hypochlorhydria - insufficient stomach acid. This condition necessitates hydrochloric acid supplementation.

Stress can also impair HCL production. Various stress reduction techniques can be Enhanceful. These include yoga, meditation, tai chi, and a special method called "Freeze Frame".

Betain HCL shows its beneficial effects in condition of hypochlorydria. ¹ HCL that is found in betain HCL also provides support to stomach acid secretion in condition of hypochlorydria.^1,2,3 Pepsin that shows favorable effects on digestion. ^1,4

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent any disease.