If you are asking how to know if you have low stomach acid, then the answer to your question is not too difficult. Many foods are loaded with acids like pizza and fried foods like fish and chips. The good thing is that most people do not realize they have low stomach acid until it affects their bodies. This is why it is best to learn what you should be eating.

How to know if you have low stomach acid levels

How to know if you have low stomach acid levels in your body is easy. One of the first things you need to do is look at your diet. What has changed in your diet? Have you stopped eating red meat and processed food? Have you become vegetarian? If you have answered no to any of these questions then it is time to take a closer look at what you have been eating.

Low stomach acid can also be determined by testing your vitamin intake. Vitamin A, B, and C are the vitamins that you should be paying the most attention to because they are essential to your health. If you are getting your required daily doses of these vitamins, your body can process and eliminate the acids in your stomach. Low acid means that fewer acids are being processed and eliminated by your body and so you are not at risk for acid reflux and all its complications.

Saliva

The second way to know if you have low stomach acid levels in your body is to pay attention to your saliva. Saliva is necessary for proper digestion. When you have low levels of saliva then it means that there is a low level of hydrochloric acid for normal digestion. There are several substances in your saliva such as bicarbonate, citrate, phosphate, sodium, and urea that are necessary to aid in the digestive process.

Consuming Bad Food or Beverages

Some other conditions can affect your stomach hydrochloric acid and cause it to drop below normal levels. One of these conditions is zinc poisoning. This can occur if you have anemia. You may also have a poor diet, especially if you are consuming refined foods or animal products because they lack the rich levels of zinc that are good for digestion. Another condition that can affect your digestion and result in acidity is the overuse of alcohol and caffeine because these stimulate the release of hydrochloric acid.

Low digestion does not have to mean bad news. It is possible to live with a low pH in your stomach for a long time if proper measures are taken to assist the digestive system in keeping the levels of hydrochloric acid as low as possible. A healthy lifestyle that includes a diet high in soluble fiber and fruits and vegetables will aid in promoting healthy digestion. Adding probiotics to your diet will also help to enhance your ability to digest foods properly.

By Lela