Are rosy cheeks getting the better of you?

In a clinical trial, 75% of people who present with rosacea also have low Hydrochloric acid levels. So, if the creams and steroids (which thin the stomach lining) haven’t worked for you and you’re getting slightly fed up it’s time to look at your GUT and the acid levels of your stomach.

It may not have been your first guess that your rosy cheeks, broken capillaries, which are known as rosacea, are because of the low levels of acid in your stomach, otherwise known as Hypochlorhydria.

Low acid in the stomach plays havoc with more digestive issues than you can imagine. It is the first line of defence in your body and when it’s in low supply can result in poor absorption and digestion. Hydrochloric acid has many roles but mainly they are to break down food into nutrients for your body to absorb from the bloodstream and also to warn off pathogens from the food and water supply that can be infected.

Hypochloridria can have a knock on effect to becoming deficient in other vitamins and minerals. It is secreted in the stomach and its job is to break down food for digestion and absorption into the bloodstream so you can gain all the energy from the food.

What can deplete my Hydrochloric Acid Levels? 

• Age: Hcl naturally declines with age
• Chronic Stress which can be anything from a car accident to a relationship break up
• Physiological imbalances
• Trauma
• Food intolerances
• GIT issues
• Parasitic infection
• Heli cobacter pylori Infection
• Indigestion
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Overuse of antacids

The stomach must have a highly acidic environment of ph3 in order to break down proteins into amino acids and activate digestive enzymes.

What are the complications of having Low stomach acid?

• Food in the stomach is not digested efficiently
• Undigested food causes fermentation
• Fermentation increases the wrong type of acid
• Increased chances of parasite infection
• Increased risk of fungal and bacterial infections
• If low acid levels (hypochlorhydria) continue stomach cancer can pursue

How can I increase my HCL levels for optimum digestion:

• Hydrochloric acid supplementation: (betaine)
• A short term program of digestive enzymes
• Eating bitter foods
• Treat your Helicobacter infection naturally not with antibiotics by testing with functional diagnostics

The link between Roaseces and hypochloridria goes back to the 1930’s so it’s been around for a long time. So, put down that pot of cream and start investigating your gut health for flawless skin.

List of bitter foods:

• Dark greens
• Kales
• Watercress
• Rocket
• Dandelion leaves

Here’s to flawless skin and a happy gut! Please feel free to email me to see if you need to test your gut, or to find out what supplements can help you become the best possible you!