Background Information on Stomach Acid

Stomach acid, also known as gastric juice or acid, is composed mainly of hydrochloric acid. This is responsible for breaking down the majority of the food a person eats. Insufficient or excess stomach acid can cause medical problems.

Function

• Stomach acid is responsible for breaking down proteins and fats. Stomach acid also helps to kill bacteria that enter the body through eating, according to cocoonnutrition.org.

Production

• The production of stomach acid is handled by the parietal cells, according to Colorado State's medical website about the digestive system. The parietal cells are located in the gastric glands, which are spread out across the stomach lining.

Control

• Stomach acid production is controlled by the levels of histamine (a type of protein), acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter) and gastrin (a hormone), according to colostate.edu.

Conditions

• Having too little stomach acid, hypochlorhydria, can lead to or contribute to nutritional deficiencies because food is not properly digested, celiac disease, and thyroid problems, according to cocoonnutrition.org. Too much stomach acid can lead to ulcers, heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Medications

• Medications used to suppress stomach acid production include H2-receptor blockers and proton pump inhibitors, according to surgeryencyclopedia.com.