Hydrochloric Acid (Trial)

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 repigmentation 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.

Clinicians report that 50% of patients with autoimmune disease are also hypochlorhydric (have low stomach acid).

Some doctors report that 50% of patients with autoimmune disease are also hypochlorhydric (have low stomach acid).

Stomach acid levels are generally lower in patients with autoimmune diseases.  Inadequate digestion can add to the immune system malfunction.

Stomach acid levels are generally lower in patients with autoimmune diseases.  Inadequate digestion can add to the immune system malfunction.

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.

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.

It has been suggested that as many as 80% of sufferers have low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria).

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.

Make sure your hydrochloric acid production is sufficient.

Some doctors report that 50% of patients with autoimmune disease are also hypochlorhydric.

An older study showed that 80% of children with asthma had gastric acid secretions below normal levels.

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.

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.

Lack of hydrochloric acid (HCl) secretion by the stomach has been linked to chronic hives probably as a result of increasing the likelihood of developing food allergies.  In one study of 77 patients with chronic hives, 24 (31%) were diagnosed as having achlorhydria, and 41 (53%) were shown to be hypochlorhydric. [Rev Gastroenterol 1951;18: pp.267-71]