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Its The Maples!

Adventures of a 🇨🇦 Expat Family in Portugal 🇵🇹

Low Stomach Acid, Digestive Aids and 5 Tips For Healing

As someone who has suffered from digestive issues and low stomach acid during several phases in my adult life, I can say that it is not an experience that I would wish on anyone.

Contents hide
1 How Digestion Works and the Low Stomach Acid Problem
2 Stomach PH Levels
3 Treatment For Low Stomach Acid

The uncomfortable symptoms of heartburn, indigestion, bloating, cramping and gas were just the beginning of, at times, terrible pain that would take me to the emergency room on several occasions.  

Interestingly enough what the doctors thought was too much stomach acid turned out to be the opposite – low stomach acid – meaning I was not producing enough stomach acid to properly digest my food.

It was only after I had tried the traditional treatment offered by my doctor that included stomach acid reducing medications like Losec and Zantac, that someone suggested that my problem might actually be low stomach acid – the opposite of too much stomach acid and hence my understanding of what I now know to be hypochlorhydria.

How Digestion Works and the Low Stomach Acid Problem

When talking about digestion, I think it’s important to note that digestion starts as soon as we eat a piece of food.  

The act of chewing starts the digestion process that continues when the food passes through the esophagus and into the stomach.  It is in the stomach that hydrochloric acid is produced to help digest food further so that our bodies can reap the benefits by extracting the vital nutrients from your food.  Without being able to do this effectively, a number of issues including nutritional deficiencies, and malabsorption issues can and do occur.

When you have enough hydrochloric acid in your gastric juices, its role (offered here in a simplified explanation) is to:

  • Create a stomach environment with a low enough PH to secrete pepsin, a main digestive enzyme that aids in digestion of proteins like meat, eggs, etc…
  • Helps to digest carbs and fats
  • Helps to absorb nutrients and rid the body of harmful yeast and bacteria

Good bacteria also resides in the gut and with low stomach acid, a whole host of other problems can occur like:

  • An overgrowth of bad bacteria – SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) 
  • Leaky gut syndrome
  • Intolerance to food and food allergies
  • Chronic inflammation (something that I have had to deal with since my stomach issues began)

Hydrochloric acid is critical in the killing of ingested pathogens.  If the appropriate level of HCl is not present, pathogens are not eliminated before the food moves to the small and large intestine where nutrient absorption happens.

If you’ve ever heard the saying that 80% of our immune system is in the gut, you’ll also understand how important it is to have an appropriate level of stomach acid to make sure that our digestion process deals with pathogens and extracts the nutrients we need to function optimally.

Truly the state of our gut determines how healthy we are, and an imbalance in the gut contributes to many issues around how we feel both physically and mentally.  Many of the issues associated with brain fog, neurological issues, depression, anxiety, fatigue, skin issues and more can be traced to your gut health.  

Stomach PH Levels

A healthy PH level in the stomach should be between 1–3.  This allows for proper digestion to occur.  

Being mindful of my health, I have always thought that I fueled my body (for the most part) with good and healing food, but as most people know disturbances in our body systems can be caused by a variety of things,including chronic stress which can negatively affect the PH.  

Treatment For Low Stomach Acid 

Under the care of my fabulous ND here are some of the things I have done to help balance out my body,  and to address the low stomach acid issues that have plagued me in the past.  

Apple Cider Vinegar:  I have found that drinking apple cider vinegar with some water 15 minutes prior to eating has helped with my digestion.  The reason behind this is that apple cider vinegar increases stomach acid levels to help with digestion. 

I have also taken it when I have experienced reflux. 

Taking a tsp of ACV, and diluting it in an 8 ounce glass of water is helpful to take before meals.   The bacteria in the “mother” contains probiotics that is so good for healing your gut.

Supplements:  A good supplement to take prior to meals is Betaine HCl and was the first supplement I started taking when I started to address the low stomach acid problem.  I also took  the digestive enzyme papain from papaya in conjunction.

Recently I have been taking a complete digestive enzyme to help me digest my food (which I’ve found extremely helpful) and I have included the image below for you to take a look.

Ginger:  Another thing I do to help calm my stomach is making tea from fresh ginger.  I would steep the fresh ginger in water and take sips which helped to reduce inflammation in my stomach.

Staying away from highly processed foods is also important as well as staying away from dairy, which I used to have occasionally.  

Fermented vegetables. Naturally, fermented vegetables — such as kimchi (our favorite at breakfast), sauerkraut (my 5 year old loves this) and pickles —  naturally helps increase stomach acid levels and is filled with probiotics that is so important for your gut health.  

Making sure that you have the right level of stomach acid for digestion is critical to your overall health.  With 80% of your immune system found in your gut it is critical to create a balanced gut microbiome.

Without ingestion healthful food, compounded by less than optimal digestion, so many health issues can arise starting with your body and the lack of nutrients, malabsorption and other health issues (neurological, physical and mood disorders.)

Taking care of your body starts with the food you choose, creating an optimal process for your digestion.  If you are suffering from low stomach acid, try using the above 5 tips to help.

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I lied. I said I would be posting more pictures so I lied. I said I would be posting more pictures soon after my last post and now it's literally been another month and a half! 🤦🏻‍♀️
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I still really underestimate the time it continues to take us to get settled in a new country and all the stuff we need to do (yup, we are still in our car 🚗 dilemma but hoping to get it resolved tomorrow - after today's holiday!) 
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As I mentioned in my last post, which contained the only family picture we took from our first beach day ☀️🌊🇵🇹 in Portugal in November 2021, it has taken me almost 5 months to recover from all the "newness" to start posting on a regular basis. 
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So here you go, some more of our "other" pictures from this beautiful day that found us discovering this gorgeous beach but also getting stranded there at nightfall. ✨🌘
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Thank goodness, the owner of the beach restaurant drove us home after taking pity on us, but that's a story for the blog and another day! 😅😅😅
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Thanks to you all for following our adventures (mainly on FB right now) and if you feel inclined, I'd love to know what "oops" type situations you've found yourselves in when travelling! ✈️🧳
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#portugal #portugaltravelers #portugaltravels #portugal🇵🇹 #familytravelblog #portugalguide #familytravelbloggers #portugaltravel #familytravel #familytraveltips #movingtoportugal #learnportuguesewords #travelingfamily #portugal_lovers #familytravelblogger #portugal #portugaltravelling #portugalfoodandtravel #portugaltravelpt #travelfamily #travelfamilyblog #familytravelling #learnportuguese #movingtoportugalsoon #learnportugueseportugal
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Sent via @planIoly #planoly
Hello from Portugal!! 🇵🇹
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If you've been following "It's The Maples" you know that we are a Canadian family who up until recently lived in our beloved Nova Scotia after making a spontaneous move from downtown Toronto almost 13 years ago!
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Well, new news...Back in late September/early October of 2022 we made another BIG decision to move our family to Portugal.
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Since my husband and I have worked full-time from home since University, with our online marketing and content creation company, the move was easy enough to make - at least from a work standpoint because all we need are our phones, laptops and internet connection- but more on the many other unforeseeable hiccups we encounter later!
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That said, the minute I stepped off the plane I, of course, thought that I would start sharing our experiences right away...but with the excitement, the ups and downs and the complete culture shock, it has taken me over 4 months to even begin to write my first post here on Instagram and my blog post. 
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So today, writing from a different lens, one that isn't quite as emotional and now has some distance between when we first arrived, I am thrilled to share our journey and this sweet and beautiful life we have built here over the last few months.  So stay tuned as I share more pics! 
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Sent via @planoly #planoly #portugal #portugal #portugaltravel #portugalguide #portugal_lovers #portugal🇵🇹 #portugal #portugaltravelers #portugaltravels #portugaltravelpt #portugalfoodandtravel #portugaltravelling #movingtoportugal #movingtoportugalsoon #familytravel #travelfamily #travelingfamily #familytravelblog #familytravelblogger #travelfamilyblog #familytraveltips #familytravelbloggers #familytravelling #learnportugueseportugal #learnportuguese #futebol #thebeautifulgame #canadianstravel #canadianfamilytravels
These boys make my heart sparkle like champagne! 💗 Happy National Sons Day! 
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#nationalsonsday #nationalsonsday💙 #happynationalsonsday #happynationalsonsday💙 #boymama #boymamalife #lovemyboys #lovemyboys💙 #myheart #myboysmyworld #sonsandmothers #grateful #blessed #blessedandhighlyfavored #myloves
Monstera friends, is this a new baby leaf? . . #m Monstera friends, is this a new baby leaf? 
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Monstera love 💗 . . Share your Monstera pics wi Monstera love 💗
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Share your Monstera pics with me pleeeeaaase! 😊🪴🪴🪴!
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#monsteradeliciosa #monsteralove #monstera #monsteramonday #plantmama #plantmom #plantlove #plantloversofinstagram #swisscheeseplant #swisscheesemonsteraplant🌱 #plantsofinstagram #plantlover #plantsmakepeoplehappy #plantsmakemehappy #plantsmakemesmile
Peach picking. . . #summer #fruitpicking #peaches Peach picking.
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#summer #fruitpicking #peaches #peaches🍑 #summerdays #novascotiasummersaremagic #novascotiasummers #peachtrees #peachfestival #farmsofns #dempseyscornerorchard #peachpicking
My 12 year old wrote this on the kitchen board las My 12 year old wrote this on the kitchen board last night. I just found it this morning since I wasn’t feeling well yesterday and went straight to bed. He’s such a light in my life.
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#hopeandfaith #hopeandfaithandlove #blessedandgrateful #blessedbeyondmeasure #howdidigetsolucky❤️ #ourkidsteachus #ourkidsteachusaboutlife #ourkidsteachussomuch #ourkidsteachusmanylessons #joy #thursdaythoughts #thursdaymorning
Browsing through my memories and this pic came up. Browsing through my memories and this pic came up. 
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It doesn’t seem so long ago, but this beautiful boy will be a teenager in just a few short months. How quickly the time goes.
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Lately, I find myself staring at his face, realizing how much he’s changed. It’s so bittersweet because no matter how amazing it is to watch him grow, I also miss him being little enough that I could scoop him up in my arms, as I still do with his little brother.
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#lovethiskid #timegoesbysoquickly #watchhimgrowingup #boymama #throwbackpic #mybabyboy💙 #couldnotloveanythingmore #solongagobutfeelslikeyesterday #theygrowuosofast #feelinghappyandsadatthesametime #blessedandgrateful #blessedbeyondmeasure #myboy❤️ #myboy #mamabear #specialtimes #pumpkinpants
Choose to be kind. . . #kindnessmatters #kindnessc Choose to be kind.
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#kindnessmatters #kindnesscounts #kindnessiscontagious #bekindtoeverykind #kindnesscounts #itsimportanttobekind #lovingkindness #compassion #compassionandkindness #compassionandlove #bekindalways #bekindtooneanother #quotestoliveby #dalailama #dalailamaquotes #dalailamaquote #wordstoliveby #wordstolivebyalways
Love this photo of J! . . #footy #adidas #adidasc Love this photo of J! 
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#footy #adidas #adidascanada #soccerkids #soccertraining #soccerislife #soccerplayer⚽️ #onthepitch💚💚💚 #shootingdrills⚽️ #lovethiskid #myboy #boymomlife #soccermom #soccermoms #soccermoms⚽️ #soccermoments #sportpictures
Low key Easter with my 3 beautiful boys! . . Have Low key Easter with my 3 beautiful boys!
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Have to say, I’m loving the Amish Butterprint Pyrex on the table.  It’s a happy day when we use it!  How was your Easter weekend? 
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#easter2021 #easterweekend #easterwithkids #amishbutterprint #amishbutterprintpyrex #amishbutterprintpattern #amishbutterprintmixingbowls #amishbutterprints #vintagepyrex #vintagepyrexlove #vintagepyrexlovers #vintagepyrexcollection #vintagepyrexcollector #vintagepyrexbowls #pyrexcinderellabowls #pyrexcinderella #pyrexcinderellas #easterdinner #easterdinnertable #easterdinnertabledecor #easterdinner2021
Happy Easter! 🐣 . . This is my favourite Easte Happy Easter! 🐣 
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This is my favourite Easter centrepiece.  Used many, many Peeps and pink tulips.  Love the way it turned out!
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Our orchid is in full bloom! 🌸🌸🌸 . . #suc Our orchid is in full bloom! 🌸🌸🌸
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#suchabeauty #orchid #orchidsofinstagram #orchids #orchidlover #orchidflower #bloomingorchid #bloomingorchids #orchidbloom #orchidblooms #orchidbloomsofinstagram #newtoorchids #flowers🌸 #flowersofinstagram #flowerdays #takingcareoforchids #orchidcare #orchid101 #orchidmom #orchidmoments #orchidmomma #orchidshare #orchidlove #orchidlovers
This past year during lockdown, we started using t This past year during lockdown, we started using the meal kit service, Chef’s Plate.
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We love to cook in our house but despite our love to cook, getting the meal kit was more of an “event”. Sort of like eating at a restaurant; eating something you wouldn’t normally cook but with all the convenience of eating at home. 
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Check out the blog, because on it I wrote an article on the “ Top 10 Reasons We Use Chef’s Plate” and it’s been a lot of fun, especially for the kids!
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So if you’re looking to break the monotony of weeknight dinners, let me know.  I’ve got $40 off coupons to share and occasionally a FREE box, too!
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Read the blog post and watch the video when the kids get involved and cook the Bavarian Pork Chop meal - such a great experience for the little ones and so delicious!
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#chefsplate #chefsplatemeals #chefsplaterecipe #chefsplaterecipes #chefsplatemenu #mealkitservice #mealkitservicecanada #mealkits #mealkitdeliveryservice #mealkitdeliveryservices #mealkitdeliveryservicediscountcode #mealkitdeliveryservicevouchercodes
My Majesty Palm. 💗💗💗 . . I’m all about My Majesty Palm. 💗💗💗
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I’m all about my plants recently, so you’ll have to excuse the obsession!
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I can’t stop taking pictures!  It must be spring in the air! 🪴🌱🪴🌱
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#majestypalm #majestypalmsofinstagram #beautifulpalms #houseplantsofinstagram #houseplantsofinsta #majestypalmplant #majestypalmtree #indoormajestypalm #tropicalplantsofinstagram #tropicalplants #iloveplants #kidsandplants #plantsofinstagram #indoorplantsdecor
I’ve become the mother of houseplants. I just l I’ve become the mother of houseplants.  I just love my plant babies so much!  What are your favourites? 
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Boys went tobogganing today! . . #outdoorfun #out Boys went tobogganing today! 
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#outdoorfun #outdooradventures  #winterfun #wintersports #getoutsideandplay #getoutsidemore #getoutsidemoreoften #toboganning #toboganningfun #toboganningtime #sledding #sleddingfun #letssled #canadianwinters #canadianwinter #canadianwinters🇨🇦 #winterinnovascotia #winterinnovascotia2021 #wintersunshine☀️
As he was getting dressed to play outside, Henry w As he was getting dressed to play outside, Henry was struggling to put on a glove and he said to me, “Mommy, I don’t think I have enough fingers for this.” 😂
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#snowdays #playinthesnow #thisis5 #5yearolds #lovethisboy💙 #lovethisboysomuch #outdoortime #novascotialife #christmassnow #whitechristmas❄️ #mybabyboyforever #thingskidssay #funnythingskidssay #funnykidstuff #kidssaythefunniestthings #kidssaythefunnieststuff #lovewhathesays #lovewhathesaid
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