Stomach acid, secreted by cells in the stomach lining, helps break down food. This process, called gastric acid secretion, makes food digestion easier. So what is stomach acid and how does it work in the body? Read on!
1. What is Stomach Acid?
Stomach acid, found in gastric juice, is a colorless liquid produced by special parietal cells in the stomach lining. The main component of stomach acid is hydrochloric acid (HCl), along with other substances like potassium chloride (KCl) and sodium chloride (NaCl).
Source: Between 20 and 30% of Americans have stomach acid and gastric reflux, also known as GERD
Stomach acid is super acidic, with a pH level around 1 to 2, which is even more acidic than battery acid. Its high acidity helps break down all kinds of food in the stomach, making digestion easier while still keeping the digestive system safe and functioning properly.
2. How Stomach Acid Works in Your Body
To understand how stomach acid is secreted, let's look at the structure of the stomach first.
The stomach has three parts:
- The basal part
- The body part
- The fundus part.
Inside the stomach is a layer called the mucosal layer, which comes into contact with food during digestion. Gastric juice, including stomach acid, is secreted by glands in the gastric mucosa, specifically by parietal cells in the body of the stomach.
The process of stomach acid secretion involves three stages:
- First stage (involves the nervous system): When food enters the mouth and travels through the digestive system, the taste of food triggers the vagus nerve. This nerve sends signals to the brain and brainstem, which then signal the digestive system to release about 30% of stomach acid. This starts the process of breaking down and digesting food.
- Second stage (involves the stomach): As food enters the stomach, it contracts and breaks down further, and the stomach continues to release the remaining 60% of stomach acid.
- Third stage (involves the intestine): Once the food is sufficiently broken down, it moves into the intestines, and the stomach releases the final 10% of stomach acid.
Throughout the digestion process, stomach acid is continuously released in just the right amount to ensure proper digestion and maintain the balance of gastric juice. This mechanism for releasing stomach acid develops from birth, and by around age 2, it's fully developed, similar to that of a normal adult.
3. How Does Stomach Acid Help with Digestion?
Stomach acid plays a vital role in breaking down our food. Alongside enzymes and muscle movements, it helps in this process while also safeguarding the stomach.
Stomach acid has just the right level of acidity, which makes it a key player in creating an environment where pepsin, a digestive enzyme made in the stomach, can do its job.
Source: Stomach acid is essential for digestion and nutrient absorption
It not only activates pepsin but also aids in breaking down food particles. This breaking down process helps release pepsin, which further breaks down proteins into smaller pieces, making it easier for our bodies to absorb the nutrients.
Moreover, stomach acid helps neutralize certain types of substances and facilitates the conversion of proteins, starches, and sugars into forms that our bodies can use.
Additionally, it serves as a defense mechanism by killing harmful bacteria that might come along with our food, thus protecting our digestive system.
4. What Happens If Stomach Acid Levels Are Too High or Too Low?
Stomach acid levels can change over time due to factors like stomach health, medication, or stress. However, our body maintains the process of producing stomach acid throughout life.
Low Stomach Acid Levels
Source: Low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria) is a condition that can lead to numerous health problems
It can lead to issues like abdominal pain, bloating, indigestion, heartburn, nausea, and even hair loss. Prolonged low stomach acid levels can disrupt digestion, reduce nutrient absorption, increase infection risks, and impact overall health. Treatment involves addressing the underlying causes, and doctors may prescribe stomach acid supplements or pepsin enzymes to boost acid levels.
High Stomach Acid Levels
It can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain (especially on an empty stomach), bloating, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and unexplained weight loss. If left untreated, it can lead to complications like stomach ulcers, acid reflux, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Treatment typically involves medications like proton pump inhibitors to reduce stomach acid secretion.
Stomach acid, along with enzymes and mucus, aids in breaking down and digesting food. Both high and low levels of stomach acid can disrupt the digestive system, so it's important for patients experiencing symptoms to seek medical examination and appropriate treatment.
Conclusion
Stomach acid is a powerful liquid naturally produced by your body to aid in digesting and absorbing nutrients from food. Your body also creates enzymes and mucus to shield itself from the acid's potency.
High stomach acid can cause heartburn, acid reflux, and ulcers, while too little acid may hinder proper digestion.
If you experience symptoms of either high or low acid levels, it's important to seek medical help. Chronic issues with acid levels can lead to complications if left untreated.
