Who knew?
It actually takes the right acid to create
systemic alkalinity—the key to health,
longevity and weight loss.
Yes, you heard that right. I'm talking
about hydrochloric acid (HCl) here, the
only acid your body actually produces
on its own that is not a byproduct
of metabolic waste. It may sound
counter-intuitive, but although HCl is an
acid, it's the key to the proper alkaline/
acid balance — which is seriously
deficient in anyone beyond the age of 35.
A lack of zinc, iodine, salt, B vitamins,
potassium and/or too much stress are
common culprits of inadequate HCl
production.
But, acid into alkaline—how could
that be?
The right amount of HCl in the
stomach triggers the pancreas to
produce large amounts of alkalinizing
bicarbonates that signal pancreatic
enzymes, which can only activate in an
alkaline medium. It is also absolutely
necessary for the production of the
hormone cholecystokinin (CCK), which
helps the gallbladder to release bile for
fat emulsification. Without sufficient
HCl, bile production can be hampered
from doing its job because if there is not enough bile produced, fat cannot be emulsified. It's as simple
as that.
If you have a roll of fat at your waist line, your liver has
stopped processing fat and begun storing it. Only when you
bring your liver back to full function—with the aid of HCl—will
you lose this fat.
And what will you gain?
- Increased absorption of muscle building protein that increases metabolic rate by 25 percent.
- Complete assimilation of calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, B12 and folic acid, as well as 15 minerals and eight essential acids.
- Relief of asthma (especially in children) and edema along with mucus congestion.
- Better oxidation of painful lactic acid in tissues.
- Increased kidney and liver function.
- Elimination of boils, abscess, rosacea and rashes—which are unresponsive to other therapies.
- Heartburn relief.
Don't leave home without HCl. It is the most effective antibacterial
agent that I know of. Outside your body, it could
literally burn a hole in a tablecloth or eat right through an iron
nail. Within your stomach, it acts as a natural antibiotic—your
first line of defense against toxic invaders, especially bacteria
you are likely to encounter when traveling. It helps to neutralize
pathogenic organisms, along with yeast and Helicobacter
pylori, the bacteria associated with ulcers. It's even been used
to neutralize the venom of snake bites to prevent infection!
This information may seem new to you, but decades ago
Dr. Hugh Tuckey and his family spent 30 years conducting
independent research on HCl—research which has tragically
been forgotten. They discovered that a lack of HCl was the
underlying cause of many digestive and immune-system
ailments, along with bad breath and dark circles under the
eyes.
So, should you take an HCl supplement?
Yes and no.
No—if you already have any sign of acid reflux such as an
inflamed esophagus or even an irritated stomach lining. Both
of these need to be healed first and foremost with either
slippery elm, zinc carnosine, or L-glutamine powder.
If any of the above is true, you might consider taking two
teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in eight ounces of water 20
minutes before meals. This may naturally help to acidify your
stomach without the need for supplementation.
Other individuals are welcome to take the HCl challenge!
Before the next meal you eat, take a hydrochloric acid
supplement that contains at least 500 to 550 milligrams of
betaine hydrochloride and about 150 milligrams of pepsin.
The brand I recommend is UNI KEY's HCL+2. After you've
taken your first HCl tablet, notice how you feel. If you're
producing enough stomach acid, taking this supplement will
cause you to feel a bit of pain or warmth in your stomach.
You can relax—your stomach acid is sufficient to digest the
food you're eating.
If you don't notice any symptoms or any worsening
of the symptoms you already have, increase your dose to
two HCl tablets at your next meal. If you're still symptom-free,
or if the symptoms you've already experienced haven't
gotten any worse, continue upping your dose one tablet at
a time. As soon as you feel a burning sensation or warmth,
you know you've gone too far. Drop back to the previous
dosage and continue taking the supplement as needed. You
can work up to eight pills a day.
After four months, you might experiment with reducing
your HCl dosage. If you get good results, continue to reduce
your intake of HCl until you are no longer taking it. If your
symptoms return, go back to your previous dosage.
Sometimes, the use of a good digestive bitter is
indicated. Bitter is better—especially when it comes to
digestive health. Eating bitter foods like arugula, endive,
radicchio, and horseradish can help promote more effective
gastric secretions. Even dandelion root tea qualifies in this
regard.
So, regardless of how you decide to treat your stomach,
there are plenty of natural whole food options to put your
digestion back on track for good!