I continue to be amazed at the number of people on acid reflux medications. My question for them – are these medications necessary or are you actually suffering from a lack of acid in the stomach. Surprisingly, the symptoms of low acid are very similar to the symptoms of high acid in the stomach.
Low Levels of stomach acid (hydrochloric acid or HCL) can be responsible for a number of chronic conditions.
1) HCL converts pesinogen into pepsin which helps to break proteins down more easily.
2) Creates the proper pH in the small intestine to prevent bacterial overgrowths from harmful bacteria.
3) A lack of HCG may cause inflammation and Leaky Gut syndrome.
4) Low HCL may cause chronic candida/yeast conditions as the ph in the small intestine is not where it should be.
Symptoms of too low a level of stomach acid can and will mimic the appearance of too much stomach acid. You need to know where you stand – do you truly have too high a level of HCL or too low a level? It is easy to find out with a baking soda stomach acid assessment.
HCL reacts with baking soda to form Carbon Dioxide and Water. Taking a small amount of baking soda and timing how long it takes for you to belch will give an indication of your stomach acid level.
1. It is best to perform this test in the morning before having anything to eat or drink. Your stomach acid should be at its lowest ph (or most acidic) in the morning.
2. Mix 1/4 tsp of baking soda in 8 ounces of water and drink.
3. Time how long it takes you to burp – no need to time after 5 minutes have passed.
a. if you burp immediately and a lot – your stomach acid level is probably too high. (if you start burping immediately, you do not need to finish the glass).
b. If you burp in 2-3 minutes your acid levels are about right.
c. If it takes 5 minutes or longer to burp, your stomach acid is probably too low.
When I did this test, I finally burped a little bit after 25 minutes. Looks like I need HCL supplementation!
Have a great Day!
I burped twice while drinking the mixture, but isn’t it normal to burp while gulping down water anyway? After I finished, I waited 5 minutes and didn’t burp at all.
Are my level high or low?
Danielle,
You probably need to try the test again. You don’t have to gulp down the mixture; try to drink it slowly enough to not produce a burp and then see how you do. Typically, however, if you have high stomach acid you would be burping will drinking and for a good 15 minutes after, too.
I didn’t burp at all ,what does it means?
Lana, that means your stomach acid is very low… you may need to take HCL acid supplement to aid digestion.
What is the proportion of baking soda and water to test 2 year old toddler?
thanks for reply
I wouldn’t do this test with a child as young as two – they should be about 8 years of age.
After I drank the whole glass ( while trying not to gulp air), in about 1 minute I had a slight burp, and then no burps at all until about 5 minutes when I burped 2 regular burps. Then no more. How would you interpret that?
Thanks, August.
PS: I’ll repeat tomorrow to compare.
August, sounds like low stomach acid to me. You can try adding a little vinegar before each meal and see if that helps your digestion.
I had a teeny burp at 2:30 minutes. I have drank 1/4 baking soda and 1/2 cup water in the past for acid reflux as a natural remedy and usually burped hugely within 5-10 minutes but with having to kind of force myself by swallowing large gulps of air and having my husband basically burp me. I did not have a “belch” this morning when I did this. Just a slight burp. What do you think?
Thanks,
g~
definitely low stomach – you might try taking a teaspoon or two of vinegar before meals. Thanks! ~ Leanne
Thank you. I am going to repeat the test tomorrow just to be on the safe side. I currently take Prevacid in the AM. I have been suffering with what I thought was reflux for 5 yrs after the birth of my 2nd son. My brother in law gave me HCL with pepsin and I researched it and found your site. How long does someone need to take HCL supplement? And do they have to take it with every meal or just meals with protein? I haven’t eaten red meat in 4 yrs after trying to figure out what caused my reflux. Or lettuce
I would love to try the HCL if I don’t burp tomorrow but just need more guidance on how much and how often to take it. Thanks again, g~
I did it again this morning and didn’t burp at all. I did 1/4 tsp baking soda in 8 oz of water. What do you think?
Thanks,
g~
Help Please!!!
I have had too many tests to list and no help…
I suffer everyday and just did the test.. Drank the 8 oz solution, could feel rumbling activity around 1:45, no belch forced out but I could have assisted it a bit to get it out…. then around 4:30 one belch then nothing after that for the rest of the night… So I need to know if its an uncontrolled unstoppable belch or just or can it be helped out…
Thanks a ton if you can assist me in any way..
General
Sounds like you don’t have very much stomach acid since you didn’t belch – the gas build up wasn’t enough to cause you to burp. I would suggest trying a little vinegar before your meals or taking a HCL (hydrochloric acid) supplement to help your digestion.
Bakeing soda is bad for people with hart trouble, as it says on the container. The only thing I have taken baking soda for is indigestion, same dosage. Dr. Kaufman says acid reflux is caused more by too little acid than too much.
Which is why you just do this test one time to test your acid level. I do agree that acid reflux symptoms often come more from too little acid than too much.