Trying to raise stomach acid with gastritis may seem contrary to popular belief and medical advice. However, stomach acid is crucial for proper gut health. Read this article and watch the video for more on the connection between the two. 

What is Gastritis

Gastritis is a medical condition characterized by inflammation or irritation of the lining of the stomach. It can be acute, meaning that it comes on suddenly and is usually short-lived, or chronic, meaning that it is a long-term condition that can persist for years. The most common symptoms of gastritis include abdominal pain or discomfort, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, bloating, and a feeling of fullness after eating. Other symptoms may include a burning or gnawing sensation in the stomach, heartburn, indigestion, and belching.

Gastritis Causes 

There are several things that can contribute to or cause gastritis, including: 

1. H. pylori infection
2. Other viral or bacteria infections
3. Chronic NSAIDs use (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, others)
4. Too much alcohol
5. Bile reflux
6. Stress
7. Autoimmune disorders
8. Food-derived inflammation (whether it’s inflammatory foods or individual food sensitivities)

Stomach Acid and Gastritis

Trying to raise stomach acid while you have gastritis is NOT the best or first thing to do. It’s like adding fuel to an already roaring fire.  Adequate stomach acid is necessary to prevent H Pylori and other infections that lead to gastritis. The stomach must also be acidic for proper digestion. Without the acid, food complexes (especially proteins but also starches and sugars) escape digestion and can feed the microbes in the stomach and intestine, leading to bacterial overgrowth.  While adequate stomach acidity is necessary for the gut, you must do 2 things first before attempting to boost your stomach acid.  

1. Identify why you have gastritis and get rid of it
2. Build up the stomach lining with the right nutrients

Gastritis Healing Nutrients

Building up the lining of your stomach can include certain nutrients and herbal combinations like:

• DGL, slippery elm, marshmallow root, aloe vera
• Zinc, glutamine, glycine, and other amino acid
• Antioxidants like quercetin and others
• Anti-inflammatory ingredients likes turmeric, fish oil, and others

Raise Stomach Acid after you Heal Gastritis 

Once you’ve tackled the root causes of gastritis and eliminated them, and afterwards you were able to calm the inflammation by building up the stomach lining, then you can start to restore stomach acidity. Some of the things you might try include:

• Apple cider vinegar: diluted in water, add to salads, or in capsules
• Ginger: add to meals or make a tea
• Lemon or lime: add to meals, salad, water, or tea
• Betaine HCL: usually in capsule form, use with caution
• Digestive bitters: usually in capsules or extracted, also use with caution

How to Cure Gastritis 

It’s possible to cure gastritis if you follow the right steps to eliminate the root causes and repair and heal your gut lining. If you’re looking for a comprehensive approach that does that and focuses on functional medicine testing, personalized diet, lifestyle changes, and nutrient and herbal supplements instead of pharmaceuticals, you’re in the right place! Book an assessment session HERE and we’ll discuss your current health situation and goals and map out your healing plan.