While most doctors prescribe antacids to lower stomach acid for heart burn and acid reflux, the real culprit may be that your stomach acid is already too low. This is called hypochlorhydria. Sufficient Stomach Acid, or Hydrochloric Acid (HCl), Is Necessary To: 1. Protect the body from pathogens When we consume food, bacteria and other microorganisms come along with it. Stomach acid helps neutralize the ones we don’t want in our bodies. HCl also acts as a barrier against bacterial and fungal overgrowth of the small intestine. 2. Activate pepsin HCl triggers the production of pepsin, which helps break down proteins to be absorbed in the small intestine. When proteins are not adequately digested, they can escape into the bloodstream where they trigger inflammation food sensitivities. 3. Digest proteins If you have ever made ceviche or marinated meat in vinegar or lemon, you can see how acid breaks it down. …