What you're about to learn may shock you.

Believe it or not, the real culprit of burps, belches and groans is not what you think.  The antacid companies, a multi-billion dollar a year industry, have the majority of folks thinking that heartburn and gas are due to too much stomach acid, yet the truth is it's actually due to low stomach acid, a condition also known as hypochlorhydria. 

Once again our health has been compromised by the very companies we've come to know, like and trust, just to make a buck!  

Symptoms of hypochlorhydria include:

• Heartburn
• Bloating
• Belching
• Gas 
• Constipation
• Diarrhea 
• Low energy
• Depression 
• Acne 
• Hair loss in women 
• Food allergies
• Dry skin 
• Autoimmune Disease

Sound like you?  If so, you're not alone. Hundreds of people nowadays battle with digestive issues on a daily basis and often find themselves reaching for quick fixes such as Tums or Prilosec, which actually make a bad situation worse and potentially set things up for more health problems down the road.

It seems counterintuitive to think that low stomach acid is the reason why your stomach backs up on you, but it is. You see, whenever you eat, you probably just assume your body does the work it's supposed to do to break your food down, but the problem is it's usually not equipped with the right mix of digestive juices and stomach acid anymore from living a high stress lifestyle like most people do in order to function properly.

The first thing your stomach needs in order to digest food is enzymes. Enzymes are like little construction workers who use raw materials such as vitamins and minerals found in your food to build the most amazing architectural structure – YOUR BODY! However, if the food you're eating has been irradiated or modified, then the enzymes that are normally found in the food have been killed off, thereby interferring with your ability to digest.

In addition, [bctt tweet=”people with low stomach acid also suffer from a common condition known as adrenal exhaustion.”] Adrenal exhaustion is driven by stress and ultimately thins the lining of your stomach, which in turn suppresses the production of stomach acid.   Until you restore function to the lining of your stomach, it's nearly impossible for you to digest well.

The end result is rotting food in your intestines, and because the food just sits in your stomach instead of getting broken down and used for fuel, it ferments. The off-gassing produced by the rotting food then creates pressure in your stomach, which pushes open the valve at the top of your stomach and causes stomach acid to drip into your esophagus, leading to symptoms such as acid reflux, indigestion, and gas. 

Hydrochloric acid (HCl), which is the scientific name for stomach acid, cannot be found in any food. Therefore, eating foods like tomatoes or orange juice doesn't help.  An important factor to realize is that a lot of people don't even know they have hypochlorhydria or what it is because they don't experience symptoms, which means they neglect to catch the root cause in time to correct it before it leads to more serious illness.

HCl's 3 main functions are:

1.) To break down mineral bonds so that they can be fully absorbed into your body. If your blood becomes too acidic due to poor mineral absorption, it will rob minerals from other parts of your body, which leads to osteoporosis and other diseases caused by mineral deficiency. 

2.) To convert pepsinogen in your stomach into the enzyme pepsin, which breaks down protein. Protein converts to essential amino acids that your body needs to build muscle, strong hair and nails. The "feel good" chemicals in our brain that make us happy are made from amino acids too, so people who are protein deficient are often times depressed as well.

3.) To kill off any parasites, fungus or bacteria that piggyback onto your food and consequently take up residence in your stomach.  Your stomach acid is so acidic it would burn a hole in your hand if you held it. Because the pH in HCl is so low, it will destroy any invaders it comes in contact with and protect your body. Essentially, HCl acts as a first line of defense for our immune system. 

It goes without saying that one of the most vital functions for your body is to be able to digest your food, but without the proper balance of enzymes and stomach acid, you're not, and you're most likely depressed, fatigued, and cranky.  Your body requires a lot of energy to digest food, and uses about 1/3 of your blood supply for digestion alone, therefore if it has to work extra hard to get the job done, it further depletes your energy, leaving you in a constant state of lethargy.

To naturally restore function to your gut, I recommend the 4 following steps:

• Be sure to drink liquids away from your meals. This may be hard at first, but it's imperative! Since HCl is a liquid, if you drink too much when you eat, it will dilute the HCl and render it ineffective.
• Add parsley, ginger or cayenne pepper to your meal.  These foods can be highly medicinal and aid in digestion. While some foods make digestion worse, these actually improve it.
• Take a plant-based digestive enzyme with every meal.  Plant-based enzymes are much stronger and more effective than animal enzymes because they work throughout your entire digestive tract, versus animal enzymes which don't.  Look for one made by a reputable company as not all supplement companies are the same!
• Work with a holistic practitioner.  Conventional medicine isn't going to get you very far on this one.  Unfortunately, their typical approach of only treating symptoms is why you take antacids in the first place, and it's guaranteed that unless you work to restore function to your digestion, you will continue to experience them. 

Above all, be patient.  It takes time to get your digestion back, yet it's as healthy for your body as your heart, so it's worth the work.  Bear in mind some changes come fast, while others a lot longer, but you won't regret one second of the ability to eat, digest, and be free from burps, belches and bloating!   

Also, don't miss your chance to download your free copy of my report The Top 10 Ways to Stop Feeling So Tired All the Time – Drug-Free and Naturally!

Angela Minelli is an author, speaker and founder of Angela Minelli International, a heart-based global business serving purpose-driven everyday women and entrepreneurs whose self-image and weight issues are inhibiting their confidence and blocking them from pursuing their life’s passion. 

Angela's joy is in taking a stand for women who are living less than ideal lives, stopped by fear and doubt, which prevents them from stepping into their innate power and delivering their God-given genius to the world. Her coaching programs and products are designed for women with busy lifestyles yet allow for powerful transformation to take place within a small segment of time.  

As a natural health practitioner and digestive health specialist, Angela specializes in helping people overcome weight and energy issues through holistic, non-invasive protocols that address the root cause of their conditions, including adrenal fatigue, candida, thyroid disorders, and more.  

Explore the ideals that are the cornerstone of her work at angelaminelli.com.