It is important for the absorption of minerals and vitamin B12. It is also helpful in 'chopping up' peptides and proteins in food, which helps to eliminate food allergies. It also 'primes the pump' for other secretions in the bowel, such as the release of secretin. With aging there is a loss of stomach acid in general. Adequate presence of stomach acid is the most powerful stimulant to close the sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach.
Some patients experience no symptoms of low stomach acid.
The use of Betaine Hcl is not advised in active stomach or esophageal ulcer. Carbo-aid is a combination of digestive enzymes. It can assist in digesting starches, sugars and proteins in the small bowel, which helps break up peptides and prevents 'dysbiosis'. Dysbiosis happens when there are too many 'bad bugs' in the bowel. Examples of dysbiosis include yeast or fungus infections.