The Protein Problem Nobody’s Talking About
Hi!
Last week I told you about getting enough protein.
But here’s the part nobody talks about—
You can eat all the protein you want… and still not use it if your stomach can’t break it down.
That job belongs to hydrochloric acid (HCL)—the stuff that makes your stomach acidic. It unfolds protein so enzymes can chop it up, and it helps you absorb key nutrients like iron, zinc, and B12.
Here’s the sad truth::
Stomach acid naturally drops with age (yep, even in your 30s and 40s)
Stress, acid-blocking meds, and certain illnesses make it even worse
And yet—
One of the most common signs of low stomach acid is… Yes you guessed it…,,,,, heartburn and reflux-like symptoms.
Sounds backwards, right?
What’s actually happening is food sits in your stomach too long because it’s not breaking down properly. That creates pressure, gases, and irritation. The symptoms feel like “too much acid,” but the problem is actually not enough.
So what happens?
People get put on acid blockers—completely wiping out the little acid they had left.
And that’s when the real fun begins: poor protein digestion, nutrient deficiencies, and even more risk of stomach infections (because without acid, harmful bugs stroll right in).
Clues you might be running low on HCL:
Feeling overly full or heavy after eating protein
Bloating, especially after meals
Belching or gas shortly after eating
Seeing undigested food in your stool
Low iron, zinc, or B12 levels
Frequent “stomach bugs”
Low HCL isn’t permanent—and we can actually measure and improve it.
If you’ve been eating “right” but still not feeling the benefits… this could be the missing piece.
In Health,
Dr. G
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