Whats the deal with low stomach acid?
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As you all know hypothyroidism has low stomach acid as a side effect, which makes digesting starch and fats particularly straining, but I haven't really heard or read anyone in the peat sphere really talking about it.
So what's the deal with it, why is it ignored? Anyone dig into it to see what really causes it? Any attempts that worked for improving it?
For me personally I just manage it through diet by keeping fat and starch intake really low. Good amount of salt in food seemed to improve it somewhat, though not completely.
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@pittybitty said in Whats the deal with low stomach acid?:
As you all know hypothyroidism has low stomach acid as a side effect, which makes digesting starch and fats particularly straining
Yes, here is a possible explanation.
Link between the thyroid and the digestive system
A lack of bile and the limited ability to digest starches and fats, in your case, can be attributed to insufficient production of T3 and probably the intrinsic factor (which leads to a B12 deficiency), according to Dr. Stéphane Résimont. This cumulative effect occurs. Indeed, hypothyroidism often leads to gastroparesis (lazy stomach syndrome).
T3 affects intestinal motility and the production of stomach enzymes: lipase and pepsin, as well as bile flow. Therefore, beware of bile stagnation: A certain fluidity is required to avoid lithiasis (kidney stones).
Bile also provides the enzyme amylase (amylase for starches, trypsin for proteins).
https://juliette-montier-naturopathe.fr/2022/02/14/thyroide-systeme-digestif/
Suggestion:
Address deficiencies in Zn, Se, I and Mg (thyroid).
Supplement for bile: Betaine HCl (with ginger and trypsin from Now Food). 1 x/day (evening).
NB: Gastric secretion is optimal between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. (for meat).
Avoid legumes now as they contain trypsin inhibitors (protease).
Learn about optimal combinations and proportions of macronutrients (2/3 and 1/3, or vice versa between starches and meats).
Hope it could help ...
Note: Coconut oil should be easier to manage ( high level of short chains with Carbons 8-12). No need to be handled by the liver. -
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They say taurine (seafood) glycine (eg, gelatin, Chicken wings, lamb shanks, ox tail soup) coffee (for the caffeine and the chlorogenic acid in it) coca-cola, and b1 and b7 (brewers’ yeast, orange juice..) help increase stomach acid. Better to get them from foods. Supplements would, more often than not, introduce a whole new slew of problems.
Most important is to not have problematic foods, eg pufa, which hinder digestion, and focus on nutrient dense minimally adulterated foods (eg orange juice, dairy (preferably milk,) eggs..)