Hydrochloric acid in the stomach: functions and significance

Excretion of gastric juice Occurs through the work of the mucous membrane of the stomach. It is a colorless, odorless liquid with small clumps of mucus. Any deviation from this norm, such as a change in color and density, indicates the presence of problems with the gastrointestinal tract. The composition of the gastric juice is complex, as it is produced by various cells of the gastric mucosa. Its main component is hydrochloric acid, which, in turn, is characterized by a concentrated composition.

Composition of gastric juice

In addition to hydrochloric acid, gastric juice contains the following components

1. Bicarbonates (they neutralize the harmful effect of hydrochloric acid on the walls of the stomach).
2. Pepsinogen, turning into pepsin (the latter is engaged in the breakdown of proteins). Pepsin is divided into another family of enzymes, each of which has its own functions.
3. Slime (it also protects the mucous from destruction).
4. The Castle Factor (an enzyme that helps assimilate B ₁₂ ).

However, the main component of gastric juice is still hydrochloric acid. About it and will be discussed.

What is hydrochloric acid?

It produces parietal cells of the glands of the stomach, located on the body and the bottom of the organ. In fact, the mucous membrane is divided into several zones: one produces hydrochloric acid, the other - it releases bicarbonates neutralizing it. It is noteworthy that in men, parental cells are several times larger than in women.

The content of other acids in the stomach is insignificant. So, if lactic acid is found in it , this indicates that hydrochloric acid is produced in small amounts (a lower pH of the stomach) or is not produced at all. The latter may indicate such serious failures as oncology.

Hydrochloric acid in the stomach has a strict level of concentration - it is 0.3-0.5% (or 160 mmol / l). Its composition is so concentrated that if it were not in the gastric juice and mucous membrane of protective substances, it would burn out its own stomach. That is why if there is insufficient production of mucus by the stomach, a person develop gastritis or duodenal ulcer. Acid is present in the stomach constantly, but in response to food intake, its amount increases. Basal secretion of hydrochloric acid (that is, morning) is 5-7 mmol / h.

A healthy stomach produces up to 2.5 liters of hydrochloric acid per day!

The secretion of hydrochloric acid has 3 phases.

1. A reaction to the taste and smell of food. It is started and transferred from the central nervous system to the gastric cells through the nerve endings.
2. After ingestion, a more significant phase begins. Gastrin affects the parental cells, stimulating the production of hydrochloric acid.
3. The final phase begins after the ingress of chyme (already digested food) into the duodenum. Due to the increase of hydrochloric acid, the stomach produces somatostatin - its blocker.

What functions does hydrochloric acid perform in the stomach?

First of all, it improves digestion, destroys most bacteria that enter the stomach with food, which slows down or even hinders the putrefaction process.

What are the functions of hydrochloric acid in the stomach? Below is a list detailing this issue.

• Denaturation of proteins (this is the destruction of their molecular structure) and their swelling.
• Activation of pepsinogen, which turns into pepsin, is one of the most important enzymes that break down proteins.
• The creation of an acidic environment, in which enzymatic digestion is much easier.
• Evacuation of food from the stomach to the duodenum, where digestion continues.
• Antibacterial action - many bacteria can not live in such an aggressive environment.
• Excitation of secretion of pancreatic juice.

The role of hydrochloric acid in the breakdown of proteins deserves special attention. The importance of proteins in the body is enormous. This issue has been studied by scientists for many decades. It was found that hydrochloric acid in the stomach stimulates the production of pepsin, creating a favorable environment for its activity, contributes to partial denaturation and swelling of proteins. In the duodenum, hydrochloric acid stimulates the production of secretin, improves the absorption of iron and has a bactericidal effect.

Proteins and acidity of gastric juice

The role of hydrochloric acid in the digestion of proteins has not yet been clarified. However, it is established that inflammatory diseases of the stomach disrupt its secretion and, as a consequence, the digestion of proteins.

The importance of proteins in our body is difficult to overestimate. This group is divided into many subgroups, each of which is engaged in its own business. So, protein hormones control vital processes (growth and reproduction), protein-enzymes provide chemical processes (respiration, digestion, metabolism), hemoglobin saturates cells with oxygen.

Denaturation of proteins (this facilitates the process of their subsequent cleavage) allows the body to use the maximum of their properties. Each protein consists of amino acids. Most of them are synthesized by our body, but there is a group of so-called essential amino acids that enter the body only from the outside.

Acidity of gastric juice

Such an important aspect, as the pH of the stomach directly depends on hydrochloric acid. And if there is a deviation from the norm, there is gastritis, dyspeptic disorders and other unpleasant conditions. Acidity in the stomach can be decreased, normal and elevated.

Despite the "popularity" of increased pH, often people have decreased or normal acidity. The latter is from 0.8 to 1.5.

Reduced acidity of the stomach

Reduced acidity occurs with constant stress and inflammatory diseases. This is due to the excitation of the sympathetic nervous system, which directly affects the production of gastric juice. Lowering the acidity leads to a deterioration in the digestion of food and gastric spasm. Food remains in the cavity, begins to rot, enhancing the multiplication of pathogenic bacteria. A man is tormented by flatulence and nausea. The latter is the response to gastric spasm. Moreover, the process of absorption of all nutrients contained in our food is violated, which leads to disruption of the work of the whole organism. By the way, it is because of the natural decrease in pH after 40 years that a person begins to age rapidly. That is, hydrochloric acid in the stomach actually affects the health of the whole organism.

The stomach, surprised by the excessive multiplication of bacteria, begins to include a protective function, resulting in inflammation. He is treated with drugs that further inhibit the production of hydrochloric acid - and the circle closes. A person is forced to constantly visit a doctor.

Even heartburn, which we are accustomed to consider as a consequence of increasing the amount of gastric juice, is considered only a product of acetic acid fermentation.

Lactic acid begins to form in the sick stomach. Due to the inability of the stomach to produce a sufficient amount of mucus, it damages the walls of the organ. In such cases, the diagnosis is gastroduodenitis.

Parasites and decreased gastric acidity

In a healthy stomach, parasites can not live (though this does not exclude their localization in other organs and body systems), since they literally burn hydrochloric acid. But as soon as it decreases, the colonies of parasites start to thrive, causing extremely unpleasant symptoms. Even more impaired absorption of nutrients, there is a risk of food allergies (if the parasites "did not like" the food used).

Increased acidity of the stomach

Despite the opinion of many gastroenterologists, increased acidity is much less common. The danger is that with prolonged hypersecretion of gastric juice, ulcers of the esophagus and stomach appear. The patient is troubled by heartburn and pain. Here, the inhibitors of the proton pump - "Omez" and its analogues will be useful. Symptomatics is removed with the help of antacid agents - "Gaviscon", "Fosfalugel", etc.

To diagnose high acidity, an instrumental examination is mandatory , because of the symptomatology it is easily confused with a decreased secretion.

Types of determination of gastric acidity

Hydrochloric acid in the stomach (that is, its level) is determined by several methods.

1. Sounding. It is made with the help of a special tube through which the contents of the stomach are sucked.
2. Intragastric pH-metry. The sensors measure the acidity directly in the stomach.

The second method is considered the most informative.

Acidity of the stomach is something that most doctors do not pay attention to, but in fact it is extremely important for the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases.