Stomach acid

Stomach Acid

Stomach acid, also known as gastric acid, is a digestive fluid formed in the stomach. It is composed of hydrochloric acid (HCl), potassium chloride (KCl), and sodium chloride (NaCl). The primary role of stomach acid is to sterilize the food you eat and to prevent harmful bacteria from entering the gastrointestinal tract.

Composition[edit | edit source]

Stomach acid is composed of hydrochloric acid, potassium chloride, and sodium chloride. Hydrochloric acid is responsible for the high acidity (pH 1.5 to 3.5) in the stomach. It is this acidity that kills much of the bacteria you ingest with food and helps to denature proteins, making them more available for enzymatic digestion.

Function[edit | edit source]

The primary function of stomach acid is to aid in digestion by breaking down food. It also protects the body by killing bacteria present in our food and neutralizing unwanted pathogens that may pose a threat to the body.

Stomach acid triggers the release of enzymes such as pepsin. Pepsin is the main gastric enzyme and is responsible for breaking proteins down into peptides.

Regulation[edit | edit source]

The production of stomach acid is tightly regulated by the body in order to prevent an overproduction, which can lead to conditions such as gastric ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The production and secretion of gastric acid is regulated by both the autonomic nervous system and several hormones. The parietal cells in the stomach are responsible for the production and secretion of gastric acid. These cells are regulated by the hormone gastrin, which is released by the G cells in the stomach in response to the presence of proteins.

Disorders[edit | edit source]

An imbalance in stomach acid can contribute to several health problems. Too much stomach acid can result in symptoms such as heartburn, abdominal pain, and indigestion. This condition is often referred to as acid reflux or GERD.

On the other hand, low levels of stomach acid, also known as hypochlorhydria, can result in nutritional deficiencies, because stomach acid is necessary for the body to absorb nutrients such as vitamin B12, magnesium, and zinc.

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