Most people may not realize that the digestive process actually starts in your mouth when enzymes in your saliva start to break down food particles into their component nutrients for optimum absorption. The food is then swallowed and carried by the esophagus to the stomach. However, if you don’t have balanced levels of hydrochloric acid (HCl) to properly digest your food, then you could suffer from annoying digestive discomfort.

Low levels of HCl could lead to intermittent heartburn, indigestion, bloating, diarrhea, upset stomach, embarrassing gas and occasional constipation. And taking typical antacids and other popular acid remedies only lower the acid levels in your stomach temporarily. HCl is necessary for digestion. By reducing stomach acid, these products greatly reduce your stomach’s ability to digest food..

According to Better Nutrition magazine, you need beneficial HCl stomach acid for two reasons:

1. You need acid in your stomach because it helps maintain healthy bacterial balance and stimulates enzymes to break down the foods you eat.
2. If you reduce the acidity in the stomach, your body will automatically start producing more acid.

Plus, many antacids contain an abundance of minerals such as sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, magnesium and aluminum, which can cause problems for people over 50 when taken in high amounts.

To ensure maximum digestive health, be sure to include HCl in your dietary regimen, plus other beneficial enzymes and nutrients such as L-glutamic acid, amylases, proteases and lipases.