Low stomach acid,

[jointpain]

Can anyone explain how low stomach acid impacts on B12 absorption? I have carried out the home experiment using bicarbonate of soda first thing in the morning which shows I am lacking in stomach acid. I wondered if this would have an affect on B12 absorption. Thank you in advance.

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi jointpain

You may have B12 absorption problems if you have a lack of stomach acid, because stomach acid is required to liberate vitamin B12 from food.

"In a normal healthy person the stomach lining has what are called "Gastric parietal cells" which produce "Intrinsic Factor" which travels with food through the small intestine which is made up of three parts - the Duodenum, the Jejunum and the Ileum.. Iron is absorbed in the Duodenum, most other nutrients in the Jejunum and our friend B12 in the Ileum. Here the Intrinsic Factor binds to the B12 and the "B12/IF Complex" enters the cells on the wall of the Ileum after binding to receptors on the surface of the Ileal cells, allowing it to enter the blood stream".

Extract from Martyn Hooper's "What you need to know about Pernicious Anaemia & Vitamin B12 Deficiency"

You could try adding a drop of Apple Cider Vinegar or Lime Juice to a glass of water.

I am not a medically trained person but I've had P.A. (a form of B12 deficiency) for more than 45 years.

I wish you well.

[jointpain in reply to clivealive]

Thank you for your explanation. I have been using lemon juice on my rice flour pancake of a morning, so that may help digestion. I have read about HCl betaine capsules which I may get, to take with meat meals.

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to jointpain]

The important bit was the "normal healthy stomach" and whether or not Intrinsic Factor is being produced or is there some other factor that affects absorption of B12.

Have you spoken with your doctor at all about this?

[jointpain in reply to clivealive]

Not spoken to my doctor since the results of my IFA blood test which came in as normal, as did the other tests for serum ferritin and serum folate though I had been taking b12 sublingual for a while. The FBC was described as acceptable. I will get back to the doctor as I want to know why my b12 had dropped to below 178 ng/L before December, when first tested.

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to jointpain]

Anyone at any age, can become B12 deficient. However, certain people are at an elevated risk. They include the following:

Vegetarians, vegans and people eating macrobiotic diets.

People aged sixty and over

People who’ve undergone any gastric and/or intestinal surgery, including bariatric surgery for weight loss purposes (Gastric bypass).

People who regularly use proton-pump- inhibitors. H2 blockers, antacids, Metformin, and related diabetes drugs, or other medications that can interfere with B12 absorption.

People who undergo surgeries or dental procedures involving nitrous oxide, or who use the drug recreationally.

People with a history of eating disorders (anorexia or bulimia).

People with a history of alcoholism.

People with a family history of pernicious anaemia.

People diagnosed with anaemia (including iron deficiency anaemia, sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia).

People with Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, gluten enteropathy (celiac disease), or any other disease that cause malabsorption of nutrients.

People with autoimmune disorders (especially thyroid disorders such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Grave’s disease) Type 1 diabetes, vitiligo, lupus, Addison’s disease, ulcerative colitis, infertility, acquired agammaglobulinemia, or a family history of these disorders.

Infections such as h pylori infection.

Women with a history of infertility or multiple miscarriages.

Can you "see yourself" among any of the above people?

[Jackiemary in reply to jointpain]

I worked out that a big problem for me was low stomach acid and I now take Betaine HCI and digestive enzymes.

[miniskirt in reply to clivealive]

Wow that was very informative. x

[Footlady]

I read a book about B12 (and other illnesses) and low stomach acid, so I now regularly have a warm drink of a little Apple Cyder Vinegar and a little honey. I have felt so much better over the last few months, and as someone who sometimes struggles to open my bowels properly, I have noticed a marked improvement. They also talk about trying to get more fermented food into the general diet as our stomachs have become to alkaline. It may not work for everyone, but it's worth a try. Good luck

[Tricia2747 in reply to Footlady]

Good morning,I'm interested in taking apple cider vinegar, I take Omeprazole a PPI for reflux every day to stop acid, but of course this stops absorption of b12, I was 169 had 6 injections,and it did make me feel a little better, but then told folic leval was low at 3.0 but after 2 weeks of taking 5mg folic acid daily my IBS started up,so stopped taking folic,my intrinsic was factor test neg. anyway,!! sorry I've gone off track,I want to put acid back in my stomach, how much vinegar in a glass of water. And how often, I have also started taking probiotic high strength caps, every morning to make my gut healthier.

Tricia

[Footlady in reply to Tricia2747]

It is only about a cap full of vinegar, and try to get organic apple vinegar. I also put one teaspoon of honey with it and then some boiling water to mix it together. I then just top up the mug with cold water. I would take it every day but I forget, so as often as I remember, but I know of people who have done this every day all their life. I've heard Omeprazole is not good for the stomach, and it seems our modern diet, no matter how good, still leaves our stomach too alkaline. I very rarely get any indigestion, but when I do I take a teaspoon or 2 of lemon juice (fresh if poss but bottled will do), which does the trick just as well as any medication. Sauerkrout, kefir and other fermented foods are also good to add to your diet. Hope this helps.

[Tricia2747 in reply to Footlady]

Thankyou so much for your reply, I will deff start doing this every day.

I have been on omeprazole for 20 years now, asked Dr if it does any harm and was told no, even the consultant who did my last endoscopy said it doesn't harm,that I would be on it for life,if you stopped taking it, your symptoms would be far worse, but yes I am concerned,about the harmful effects,having just been given the all clear on lung cancer, my worry now is stomach cancer, I am going to see if my Dr will prescribe a lower dose or an alterative to a PPI. I am hoping tho that the probiotics and the vinegar tip,will help

wish me luck Tricia

[Pomart]

How do you do this test please?

[jointpain in reply to Pomart]

You take a half teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in a glass of water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, if you belch burp within five minutes you probably have an adequate amount of stomach acid, if you don't burn you are probably low on stomach acid.

If you are up to it on another day do the same after having cider vinegar or lemon juice you should burp pretty quickly!!

Thank you all for your replies. Not sure what you are referring to Footlady?

[Footlady in reply to jointpain]

I totally misread Footlady for Fatlady! My indignant mistake!