Left untreated, vitamin B12 deficiency can increase the risk of dementia, nerve damage, anemia, and other medical complications, some of which may be irreversible. Stomach acid aids in vitamin B12 absorption; suppressing the acids can lead to the health-threatening vitamin deficiency.Fascinating, I was just reading some medical history about this the other day.
B12 deficiency is also highly associated with major depression.
Over a century ago, melancholia (major Depression) was correlated with low stomach acid.
And streptococcal infection in the intestines- low levels of gastric acid allow bacteria to survive passage through the stomach.
Omeprazole (Prilosec), a common over the counter stomach acid inhibiting medication, is also associated with B12 deficiency and streptococcal overgrowth.
(For the record, increased stomach acid is a result of ulcers, not a cause. Stomach ulcers are caused by Helicobacter pylori infection. The stomach increases acid production trying to kill it, so anti-acid drugs only treat the symptoms, and probably amplify the problem.)
For you narcos out there:
Gluten intolerance has been shown to result in low stomach acid and bacterial overgrowth.
Orexin has been shown to stimulate gastric acid secretion.
