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Hydrochloric Acid (Trial): Overview
In order to confirm whether hydrochloric acid (HCl) is needed, the HCL trial is used to assess stomach digestive function by evaluating the integrity of the stomach lining and its mucous barrier. There is a correlation between a strong barrier and a strong digestive function (i.e. acid and enzyme production).
Directions
HCL capsules are taken in increasing doses with substantial meals until symptoms of excess manifest. A typical program would be: - Meal 1: Take 1 capsule (8-10 grains - 500-700mg) at the beginning of complex meals (i.e. with protein, but not if you eat only fruit, a light salad or a simple bowl of cereal). When taking several capsules, it is best if they are taken throughout the meal (beginning, middle, end).
- Meal 2: Take 2 capsules at the beginning of your meal.
- Meal 3: Take 3 capsules at the beginning of your meal.
- Meal 4: Take 4 capsules with your meal; meal 5 (take 5 capsules) and so on, up to 8-12 capsules per meal. For those who would like more rapid results, you could increase the dose by two capsules each meal instead of one.
Capsules should be swallowed whole, not emptied into food or water. When and if irritation (heartburn, stomach ache, heaviness, nausea) occurs, you may take an antacid (i.e. Tums, Alka-seltzer Gold, or baking soda and water at 1/2 tsp. per cup) to neutralize the excess acidity if you desire. Resume taking the acid capsules at a dose of 1-2 capsules less per meal than the number that caused symptoms. You may take even less with smaller or lighter meals. If symptoms of poor digestion are reduced or disappear during the trial it indicates the need for HCL supplementation. Expected Outcome; Side-Effects
Individuals with very moderate HCL deficiency generally show rapid improvement in symptoms and early signs of intolerance to the acid. This typically indicates a return to normal acid production. Supplementation levels are reduced accordingly, even to the point of no longer requiring the supplement. If maldigestion symptoms return, supplementation can be restarted. Individuals with low HCL/Pepsin may not respond as well to botanicals and supplements, so to maximize benefits, it is important to continue HCL supplementation. Administration of HCL/Pepsin is contra-indicated in peptic ulcer disease.
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Hydrochloric Acid (Trial) can help with the following: | | | | | Autoimmune |  Ulcerative Colitis
 Vitiligo | In the 1940s it was discovered that the large majority of people with vitiligo also have stomach malfunction, with partial or complete lack of hydrochloric acid and pepsin production. At that time, hydrochloric acid and pepsin supplementation was recommended in some cases and repigmentataon was achieved in 2 to 3 years with this alone. In the 1990s, hydrochloric acid and pepsin supplements are still recommended for those who need them, and still are part of overall vitiligo treatment. |
Crohn's Disease
Autoimmune Tendency
 Chronic Thyroiditis
Lupus, SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythromatosis)
Myasthenia Gravis |
Digestion |
Hydrochloric Acid Deficiency| | Some people with low stomach acid have no symptoms that are obviously related, and are led to believe they are digesting properly, when they are not. An HCl trial is a safe, worthwhile, and relatively accurate way to discover if an insufficiency exists. Since the long-term administration of supplemental HCl may result in reduced stomach output of acid, administration is advised for diagnostic purposes and short-term use only. Short-term use may result in a return of normal acid production. |
Dyspepsia / Poor Digestion| | Upper digestive symptoms are often due to hydrochloric acid (HCl) or pancreatic insufficiency and it can be difficult to distinguish between the two. The easiest way to find out is to do both an HCl and digestive enzyme trial, one at a time. Often a doctor's assistance is helpful in conducting these trials. |
Gastritis| | Once the stomach lining has been healed by the use of other agents, a hydrochloric acid (HCl) trial is often useful since it may have been an HCl deficiency that contributed to bacterial overgrowth and subsequent inflammation in the first place. Do not take HCl until the stomach lining has fully recovered, which usually takes at least a month. |
Atrophic Gastritis
Heartburn / GERD / Acid Reflux
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) |
Hormones |
Hyperthyroidism |
Nutrients |
Zinc Requirement |
Respiratory |
Asthma| | An older study showed that 80% of children with asthma had gastric acid secretions below normal levels. |
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Skin-Hair-Nails |
Eczema| | If improvement isn't clear when using zinc or essential fatty acids, consider HCl and pancreatic enzymes. The pancreas manufactures picolinate, which is used in zinc absorption. A Dr. Bray, MD, as well as linking asthma to a high rate of HCl deficiency, found that in severe eczema 50% of subjects were hypochlorhydric. Most cases are not this severe, but the possibility of HCl deficiency should be checked. |
Rosacea| | Gastric analysis of rosacea patients has led to the theory that it may be the result of hypochlorhydria. HCL supplementation results in marked improvement in rosacea patients who have achlorhydria or hypochlorhydria. |
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Hydrochloric Acid (Trial) can help prevent the following:
KEY | | May do some good | | | Likely to help | | | Highly recommended |
GLOSSARY
Achlorhydria
The complete absence or failure of stomach acid secretion.
Allergy (Allergies)
Hypersensitivity caused by exposure to a particular antigen (allergen), resulting in an increased reactivity to that antigen on subsequent exposure, sometimes with harmful immunologic consequences.
Antacid (Antacids)
Neutralizes acid in the stomach, esophagus, or first part of the duodenum.
Asthma (Asthmatic)
A lung disorder marked by attacks of breathing difficulty, wheezing, coughing, and thick mucus coming from the lungs. The episodes may be triggered by breathing foreign substances (allergens) or pollutants, infection, vigorous exercise, or emotional stress. Extrinsic Asthma is triggered by pollen, chemicals or some other external agent; Intrinsic Asthma is triggered by boggy membranes, congested tissues, or other native causes… even adrenalin stress or exertion.
Autoimmune Disease (Autoimmune, Autoimmunity)
One of a large group of diseases in which the immune system turns against the body's own cells, tissues and organs, leading to chronic and often deadly conditions. Examples include multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, Bright's disease and diabetes.
Bacteria (Bacterial, Bacterium)
Microscopic germs. Some bacteria are "harmful" and can cause disease, while other "friendly" bacteria protect the body from harmful invading organisms.
Chronic (Chronicity)
Usually referring to chronic illness: Illness extending over a long period of time.
Cup (Cups)
A unit of volume measurement equal to 8 fluid oz, or roughly 250ml. It also equals 1/2 pint, 1/4 quart and 1/16 gallon.
Eczema
Swelling of the outer skin of unknown cause. In the early stage it may be itchy, red, have small blisters, and be swollen, and weeping. Later it becomes crusted, scaly, and thickened.
Enzymes (Enzyme)
Specific protein catalysts produced by the cells that are crucial in chemical reactions and in building up or synthesizing most compounds in the body. Each enzyme performs a specific function without itself being consumed. For example, the digestive enzyme amylase acts on carbohydrates in foods to break them down.
Essential Fatty Acid (EFA, EFAs, Essential Fatty Acids)
A substance that the human body cannot manufacture and therefore must be supplied in the diet.
Gastric
Of, relating to, or associated with the stomach.
Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)
An inorganic acidic compound, excreted by the stomach, that aids in digestion.
Hypochlorhydria (Hypochlorhydric)
The condition of having low hydrochloric acid levels in the stomach, often the cause of digestive disorders.
Immune System (Immune Response, Immunity)
A complex that protects the body from disease organisms and other foreign bodies. The system includes the humoral immune response and the cell-mediated response. The immune system also protects the body from invasion by making local barriers and inflammation. The process may involve acquired immunity (the ability to learn and remember a specific infectious agent), or innate immunity (the genetically programmed system of responses that attack, digest, remove, and initiate inflammation and tissue healing).
Milligram (mg, Milligrams)
0.001 or a thousandth of a gram.
Mucus (Mucous)
The viscous, slippery substance that consists chiefly of mucin, water, cells, and inorganic salts and is secreted as a protective lubricant coating by cells and glands of the mucous membranes.
Nausea
Symptoms resulting from an inclination to vomit.
Pancreas (Pancreatic)
Opposite the liver and behind the stomach, the pancreas has two main functions - to manufacture various enzymes for digestion, and to release hormones to help control the body's use of carbohydrates. It releases insulin to help each cell absorb glucose to burn as energy. In this way, insulin controls the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood. Proper pancreatic function is very important: too much, too little, or no insulin production can be life-threatening. Some of the chemicals released by the pancreas are not hormones, but stimulate other glands to make hormones. Once again, balance is necessary. Nutritional requirements for the pancreas are many. Research indicates that chromium vitamins C, E, B-complex, calcium, magnesium and potassium are especially important.
Peptic Ulcer (Duodenal Ulcer, Duodenal Ulcers, Gastric Ulcer, Gastric Ulcers, Peptic Ulcers)
A general term for gastric ulcers (stomach) and duodenal ulcers (duodenum), open sores in the stomach or duodenum caused by digestive juices and stomach acid. Most ulcers are no larger than a pencil eraser, but they can cause tremendous discomfort and pain. They occur most frequently in the 60 to 70 age group, and slightly more often in men than in women. Doctors now know that there are two major causes of ulcers: most often patients are infected with the bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori); others are regular users of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), which include common products like aspirin and ibuprofen.
Protein (Proteins)
Compounds composed of hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen present in the body and in foods that form complex combinations of amino acids. Protein is essential for life and is used for growth and repair. Foods that supply the body with protein include animal products, grains, legumes, and vegetables. Proteins from animal sources contain the essential amino acids. Proteins are changed to amino acids in the body.
Stomach
A hollow, muscular, J-shaped pouch located in the upper part of the abdomen to the left of the midline. The upper end (fundus) is large and dome-shaped; the area just below the fundus is called the body of the stomach. The fundus and the body are often referred to as the cardiac portion of the stomach. The lower (pyloric) portion curves downward and to the right and includes the antrum and the pylorus. The function of the stomach is to begin digestion by physically breaking down food received from the esophagus. The tissues of the stomach wall are composed of three types of muscle fibers: circular, longitudinal and oblique. These fibers create structural elasticity and contractibility, both of which are needed for digestion. The stomach mucosa contains cells which secrete hydrochloric acid and this in turn activates the other gastric enzymes pepsin and rennin. To protect itself from being destroyed by its own enzymes, the stomach's mucous lining must constantly regenerate itself.
Teaspoon (Teaspoons, tsp)
Equivalent to 5cc (5ml).
Urticaria (Hives)
Commonly known as hives, urticaria is one of the most common dermatological conditions seen by allergists. Urticaria is not just an allergic disease, however. It can be caused by metabolic diseases, medications, infectious diseases, autoimmune disease, or physical sensitivity. Traditional allergies to foods or medications as well as viral illness are frequent causes of acute urticaria which usually lasts only a few hours but may last up to 6 weeks. Chronic urticaria (lasting more than 6 weeks) is more complex, given the vast number of potential triggers. Symptoms include sudden onset; initial itching; then swelling of the surface of the skin into red or skin-colored welts (wheals) with clearly defined edges; welts turn white on touching; new welts develop when the skin is scratched; usually disappear within minutes or hours. Welts enlarge, change shape, spread or join together to form large flat raised areas.
Zinc
An essential trace mineral. The functions of zinc are enzymatic. There are over 70 metalloenzymes known to require zinc for their functions. The main biochemicals in which zinc has been found to be necessary include: enzymes and enzymatic function, protein synthesis and carbohydrate metabolism. Zinc is a constituent of insulin and male reproductive fluid. Zinc is necessary for the proper metabolism of alcohol, to get rid of the lactic acid that builds up in working muscles and to transfer it to the lungs. Zinc is involved in the health of the immune system, assists vitamin A utilization and is involved in the formation of bone and teeth.
Last updated: Jul 20, 2010
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