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Is Low Stomach Acid Responsible for Your IBS Symptoms?
Low stomach acid is a common, overlooked cause of IBS symptoms. Learn the signs, why it happens and how a naturopath helps restore healthy digestion for you.
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Courtney Ranieri, ND, a licensed naturopathic doctor registered with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (Reg. #3726). Last reviewed July 2026.
If you've been diagnosed with IBS or experience any of these symptoms, listen up.
Low stomach acid is one of the most common digestive issues I see in practice, and the most overlooked.
What happens if your stomach acid is too low?
We need optimal amounts of stomach acid (hydrochloric acid) to kill off harmful bacteria and activate digestive enzymes to break down, absorb and digest food and nutrients.
One of the most noticeable impacts of low stomach acid is the way it messes with your digestion. When there isn't enough stomach acid, food doesn't get broken down fully, allowing bacteria to feed and ferment it, causing gas buildup and bloating.
Stomach acid is also disinfecting and helps prevent harmful bacteria from invading the rest of your GI tract. As your stomach acid levels dip, your risk of gut infections (like E. coli, salmonella, H. pylori) goes up. Chronic low stomach acid can also lead to SIBO, Small Intestinal Bacteria Overgrowth.
Without enough stomach acid, your body can't break down proteins or absorb minerals. This can lead to protein, vitamin B12 and iron deficiencies.
Common symptoms of low stomach acidity:
- bloating
- gas
- indigestion
- abdominal discomfort
- heartburn, GERD and reflux
- low iron or vitamin B12 levels
- frequent gut infections
Why do we get low stomach acid?
The most common reasons are:
- Stress (the number one cause)
- Poor diet
- Aging
- Infections (bacterial, parasitic etc.)
- Food poisoning
- Medications (like PPIs and other heartburn medications)
- Sluggish or slow bowels
How Do You Treat Low Stomach Acid?
The first key is to correctly diagnose it and address the root cause. Dr. Courtney Ranieri, ND focuses her treatment on:
- Optimizing nutrition to restore gut health
- Moderating bacteria levels
- Rebuilding the microbiome
- Repairing the digestive system
- Preventing recurrence
About the author
Dr. Courtney Ranieri, ND is a board-licensed naturopathic doctor and the founder of Somewhere Health. She earned her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto and holds an Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Western Ontario. Her clinical focus spans hormonal health, fertility, digestion, and women's health, with advanced training in pelvic floor therapy and integrative fertility care.
