Commercials for heartburn relief medications have not given stomach acid a bad name. What these ads don’t tell you is that too much stomach acid and too little stomach acid have the same symptoms. Studies show that 50% of people with fibromyalgia have too LOW production of hydrochloric acid. If you have an autoimmune disease, it is more likely to be too low than too high. This is especially true if you have had a yeast infection problem.
The constant use of antacids favors the growth of yeast, bad bacteria in the stomach, inflammation and stomach cancer.
Additionally, most minerals, such as magnesium and vitamin B-12, require adequate stomach acid for absorption.
Magnesium deficiency is considered to be one of the most common but treatable causes of illness. It is estimated that 72% of Americans do not get enough magnesium. (For more information: http://www.mgwater.com/articles.shtml#Americans) Low magnesium levels are associated with several autoimmune disorders including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, Raynaud’s phenomenon, and asthma. Reduced levels are also believed to be the reason for muscle pain in SLE (Lupus) patients. A magnesium deficiency is linked to a number of other health conditions including: migraines, heart disease, mitral valve prolapse, sleep disorders, hypersensitivity to light and noise, autism, depression, anxiety, PMS, and stones kidney Insufficient magnesium causes an increase in a body chemical called substance P, which is responsible for the perception of pain. In other words, it will hurt more if you don’t have enough magnesium. Those with fibromyalgia have an average of three times more substance P than normal.
In addition to being anti-inflammatory, vitamin B-12 is necessary in the manufacturing process of myelin sheaths, which are under attack in MS, Lyme disease, autism, ALS, and possibly fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome . In one study, researchers found that low levels of B-12 were associated with the early onset of MS.
Adequate production of hydrochloric acid is also necessary for the body to be instructed to produce secretin, which is necessary for myelin sheath repair.
Niacin, magnesium, and vitamin B6 help stimulate the production of hydrochloric acid from the stomach. Drinking lemon juice in water or a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar before meals also helps. This should be done 30 minutes before a meal.
Learn more at:
[http://www.oasisnetwork.com/_SCarticles/AcidAlkaline0803.pdf]
[http://www.drpressman.com/news/]
[http://www.autisme.net/Autism%20and%20Nutrition.htm]
