The Acid Paradox

How Medicine got Stomach Acid Completely Backwards

May 10, 2025

We are living in a low stomach acid epidemic, and it’s affecting far more than just those with heartburn. Decades of acid-suppressing drugs, stress, processed diets, and chronic infections have left millions of us struggling with hidden symptoms that are often misdiagnosed or dismissed as unrelated.

You’ve probably heard that heartburn and acid reflux are the telltale signs of too much stomach acid. But what if I told you that these symptoms often have nothing to do with excess acid at all? Even if you don’t experience reflux, low stomach acid could still be at the root of many of your health issues.

Bloating, food sensitivities, chronic fatigue, nutrient deficiencies, stubborn digestive problems, and even unexplained inflammation—all of these can be the hidden symptoms of low stomach acid. Yet, millions of people have been put on acid-suppressing drugs, not knowing that the real problem might be the exact opposite of what they’ve been told.

In this series, we’re unraveling the shocking connections between acid suppression and chronic illness. We’ll explore how drugs, infections, diet and more can directly or indirectly reduce stomach acid can actually set off a cascade of dysfunction, leading to everything from gut dysbiosis and nutrient depletion to autoimmune flare-ups, mental health struggles, and long-term health decline.

If you’ve been on a health journey that doesn’t seem to be working or if you feel like your symptoms are a thousand scattered pieces no doctor has been able to fit together, you’re in the right place. It’s time to rethink what you know about your health and stomach acid.

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Here’s what to expect:
Every week for the next few months, we’ll be investigating a different factor that can suppress stomach acid and how it’s negatively impacting your health. Each topic will have a deep dive on Substack and a matching podcast episode, so you can choose how you want to dive in.

This week, we’re starting with Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) – the blockbuster drugs that might be doing more harm than good.

Quick Recap

Why You Should Rethink Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

If you've been following my series on stomach acid, you know that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like Prilosec and Nexium are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in the world. They're marketed as a simple fix for heartburn and acid reflux, but the reality is much more complicated.

Here’s the problem: PPIs don’t just reduce your stomach acid, they almost completely shut it off. And while this might sound like a good thing if you’re struggling with heartburn, it can actually set off a cascade of long-term health issues:

Digestive Dysfunction: Stomach acid does more than break down food. It plays a critical role in nutrient absorption, gut motility, and the prevention of harmful bacterial overgrowth. When you shut down this first line of defense, you create the perfect environment for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), malabsorption, and even long-term dysbiosis.
Nutrient Deficiencies: Without enough stomach acid, your body struggles to absorb critical nutrients like magnesium, iron, calcium, B12, and zinc. Over time, this can lead to anemia, osteoporosis, neurological issues, and compromised immune function.
Increased Infection Risk: Stomach acid is your first barrier against pathogens. People on long-term PPIs have a significantly higher risk of infections like C. difficile, pneumonia, and even foodborne illnesses because their stomach lacks the acid to neutralize harmful bacteria.
Misdiagnosis Trap: Many of the symptoms that lead people to take PPIs—like bloating, reflux, and abdominal pain—are actually signs of low stomach acid, not high. Yet, PPIs only mask the symptoms, trapping you in a cycle of dependency.
Long-Term Damage: Studies have linked long-term PPI use to kidney disease, dementia, cardiovascular issues, and even an increased risk of certain cancers. These are well-documented risks that often get downplayed in mainstream medicine.

Read the full Substack deep dive here.

Pick Your Poison