Stomach Acid: Why Low Levels Could Be Behind Your Bloating

For years, I ignored my body’s signals.

The bloating, the cramping, the fatigue—I chalked it up to “just how my body works.”

But the truth is, chronic inflammation isn’t normal. 

It’s your body’s way of sounding the alarm, signaling that something isn’t right. Often, these signals show up as bloating, sluggish digestion, and low energy levels.

Why Your Gut Health Matters

Your gut does more than just process food. It’s directly connected to your immune system, energy levels, mood, and overall well-being. When your digestion is off, it can lead to:

• Sluggish metabolism

• Nutritional deficiencies

• Weakened immunity

• Increased food sensitivities

• Chronic inflammation

For years, I tried elimination diets, medications, and endless supplements, but nothing truly worked until I asked an important question:

Why was my body inflamed in the first place?

For me, the root cause was a mix of stress, nervous system dysregulation, food sensitivities (and allergies), and years of pushing through instead of slowing down to heal. 

Sound familiar?

The Missing Pieces: Digestion Starts in the Mouth and Stomach

One day, I realized I was overlooking the basics. Digestion starts in the mouth and then moves to the stomach.

Step 1: The Mouth—Where Digestion Begins

Your mouth isn’t just for tasting food. It contains enzymes that break down carbohydrates like bread, pasta, and sweets. If you eat too quickly and don’t chew properly, you skip this essential step, forcing your stomach to work harder.

Step 2: Stomach Acid—The Key to Nutrient Absorption

Stomach acid plays a crucial role in breaking down proteins, absorbing minerals, and keeping harmful bacteria in check. When stomach acid is too low, food sits in the stomach longer than it should, leading to bloating, gas, and fermentation. When it’s too high, symptoms like acid reflux and heartburn can appear.

Many people assume they have too much acid when they experience heartburn, but often, the real issue is low stomach acid, which causes food to ferment and push back up into the esophagus. 

(If your doctor has prescribed you antacids without checking to see if you have high stomach acid then you might be making the problem worse.)

How to Test Your Stomach Acid Levels at Home

If you’re unsure whether your stomach acid is too high or too low, there’s a simple at-home test: The Baking Soda Test.

This test can give you a basic idea of where your stomach acid levels stand so you can take action to improve digestion.

Supporting Digestion with Digestive Enzymes

Once you understand how digestion works, the next step is supporting it naturally. A simple yet effective way to do this is by taking digestive enzymes. These enzymes help break down food efficiently, improve nutrient absorption, and reduce bloating. 

There are different types of digestive enzymes to support specific needs:

• Protease: Helps break down proteins

• Lipase: Assists with fat digestion

• Amylase: Breaks down carbohydrates

• Betaine HCl & Pepsin: Supports stomach acid production

Some enzymes also support the liver and gallbladder, making digestion more efficient overall. The key is finding the right enzymes for your body and the specific issue you’re dealing with. 

If you’re unsure where to start, reach out—I’d love to help you figure out the best approach for your unique needs.

Your Body Isn’t Broken—It’s Communicating with You

When I stopped trying to suppress my symptoms and started listening to my body, everything changed. And the biggest lesson? You don’t have to live with bloating or digestive discomfort.

I started to view my symptoms as a communication stream from my body. 

Bloating and cramps weren’t annoying and relentless symptoms. Now, they were my body’s way of telling me that I ate or did something that wasn’t in alignment with my highest, most authentic self. 

Food is information, not just fuel.

Your body is constantly communicating with you. 

The question is: Are you ready to listen?

If you’re interested in working together, you can book a free consultation here.