Nauseous After Taking Vitamins? Here’s What You Need to Know

Feeling nauseous or experiencing digestive upset after taking your daily vitamins is more common than you might think. This discomfort is often caused by an overlooked issue: stomach acid deficiency. Read on to discover why this happens and learn a surprisingly simple, natural tip that can help. 

Understanding Stomach Acid Deficiency 

Stomach acid, primarily hydrochloric acid (HCl), plays a vital role in the digestive system. Its main functions include breaking down food, maintaining an optimal pH level for digestion, and aiding in the absorption of nutrients as food moves into the small intestine. We'll explore these functions in more detail shortly. When stomach acid levels are low, it can result in incomplete digestion, leading to various digestive issues. 

One clear sign of stomach acid deficiency is the discomfort or nausea that many people experience after taking supplements, especially zinc. Zinc is crucial for many body functions, such as synthesizing cholesterol, fats, and proteins, regulating the release of vitamin A from the liver, and maintaining skin and bone health. However, zinc requires sufficient stomach acid for proper absorption. When stomach acid levels are low, taking zinc can worsen this deficiency, leading to stomach upset, nausea, and even vomiting.

The Importance of Stomach Acid 

The stomach’s primary role is to prepare food for digestion and nutrient absorption. Here’s how stomach acid contributes to this process: 

1. Food Breakdown: Stomach acid helps break down the food you eat into smaller, more digestible particles, making it easier for your body to absorb nutrients. 

2. Maintaining pH Balance: It maintains the proper pH level in the stomach, creating an acidic environment that is necessary for digestive enzymes to function effectively. 

3. Nutrient Absorption: Adequate stomach acid levels are crucial for the absorption of various nutrients, including proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Without sufficient stomach acid, these nutrients can pass through your digestive system without being properly absorbed, leading to deficiencies. 

Tips for Better Digestion 

All digestive functions are parasympathetic, meaning they occur when your body is calm and relaxed, allowing it to rest, digest food, and absorb nutrients effectively. This state is often referred to as "rest and digest." Digestion begins in the brain when we think about, smell, and savor food. Interestingly, mindful eating practices can help relax the body, leading to increased production of stomach acid and better digestion. Here are some simple practices that require only a little time to incorporate. You can try introducing them one at a time or all at once into your routine: 

1. Prepare Your Environment: When you can, eat in a calm, quiet place without distractions. 

2. Take 3-5 Deep Breaths Before Eating: Deep breathing helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, signaling your body that it’s time to rest and focus on digestion at mealtimes. 

3. Sit While Eating: Avoid eating on-the-go or while standing. Sitting down helps your body relax and focus on the digestive process. 

4. Chew Your Food Thoroughly: Chewing each bite 20-30 times not only mechanically breaks down food but also stimulates saliva production, which begins the digestive process. Properly chewed food is easier for your stomach to handle and further digest. 

5. Engage Your Senses: Notice the colors, smells, and textures of your food. 

6. Listen to Your Body: Eat until you are comfortably full, not stuffed. 

Mindful eating can be a powerful tool to support digestive health. By taking the time to prepare your body for eating, you can enhance the production of stomach acid, leading to better digestion and nutrient absorption.  

If taking vitamins, especially zinc, leaves you feeling nauseous or with an upset stomach, it could be a sign of stomach acid deficiency. Recognizing the vital role of stomach acid in digestion and adopting mindful eating practices can make a significant difference in your digestive health. Start with some of the simple changes mentioned above, and you’ll likely notice an improvement in how you feel.

Feel free to share your experiences with me by sending me an e-mail - I'd love to hear how these tips work for you! You can reach me at: info@brywell.co