Low Stomach Acid Causes

Submitted by Thiruvelan on 9th Apr 2013 | Last updated 4 August 2014

Lack or absent stomach acid can be due to bacterial infection, normal aging, stress, lack of protein in diet, long-term use of antacids or proton pump inhibitors.

Low stomach acid causes

Below is the list of common causes of low stomach acid secretion:

  • Aging - decrease in a stomach acid secretion is common with aging; however, it can affect at any age.
  • Carbohydrate diet - low stomach acid may also due to overeating, especially refined carbohydrates.
  • Insufficiently low-protein diet for prolong a period may lead to low stomach acid.
  • Low estrogen levels, and hypothyroidism may produce lack of acid.
  • Chronic overuse of alcohol, coffee and marijuana may cause it.
  • Stress reduces stomach acid production. The body needs to be in a parasympathetic (relaxed) state, for optimal secretion of stomach acid.
  • Antacids such as cimetidine, omeprazole, ranitidine and famotidine can shut down stomach acid production. Ironically, these drugs are prescribing most of the time by doctors, to you for gastric burning (a major symptom of low stomach acid). Taking acid blockers make the condition worse.
  • Functional Alkalosis refers loss of the hydrogen ion, a primary component of hydrochloric acid. If the kidney removes, too much hydrogen is considering a cause of low stomach acidity.
  • Chloride, sodium and zinc must be in a sufficient level, for the stomach to produce an adequate amount of stomach acid. Losing these minerals through sweat may lead to low stomach acid.
  • H. Pylori infection has an inhibitory stomach acid production effect. This bacterium is helix or spiral shaped, which drills into the mucosa lining in your gut. This bacterium for its survival secretes an enzyme that makes alkaline, thus lower stomach acid.
  • Vitamin B3 requirement will increase proportionally to the stress levels due to raise in the hormone adrenalin. Thus, there is a faster depletion of vitamin B3, which further lower stomach acid.
  • Radiation therapy has involved in your stomach.
  • Gastric Bypass surgery (such as a Duodenal Switch and RNY), which involves either removal or blinding of the largest acid producing areas of the stomach.
  • Pancreatic tumors (such as vasoactive intestinal peptides, somatostatinomas) may lead to low gastric acid.
  • Autoimmune disorders may attack gastric acid producing parietal cells.