Do you have:

• Heartburn or Acid Indigestion
• Acid Reflux or Burping
• GERD or Barrett's Esophagus
• Excess Bloating or Difficulty Emptying Stomach
• Abdominal Discomfort or Stomach Cramps
• Excess Flatus or Gas
• Difficulty Swallowing
• Nausea, Diarrhea or Constipation
• Change in Appetite or Weight Trouble
• Fatique or Malaise
• Ulcer Disease or H. Pylori Infection
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

....Then you need to know your Stomach pH

How does the Heidelberg pH Capsule System work?

The Heidelberg pH Capsule (measures 7.1 x 15.4 mm) is a high-frequency transmitter, encapsulated within a Polyacrylate (plastic) Capsule, which when activated with Saline and swallowed, instantly displays the pH. The Heidelberg pH Capsule is NOT Radioactive. The miniature transmitter continuously transmits the pH values from the gastrointestinal tract, and are displayed on the computer screen.

The Heidelberg pH Capsule eliminates the need for the “Stomach Tube" to determine pH. It provides the doctor with vital pH data of your GI tract, as well as time taken by stomach to empty. NO STOMACH TUBE...NO DISCOMFORT!

The appropriate treatment, based on your gastric pH information (pH Gastrogram) can be instituted instead of blindly using an “Acid-Blocking Drug” forever.

The Importance of pH in Gastrointestinal Health

The sight and smell of food stimulates saliva in the mouth.  Saliva contains an enzyme, called amylase, which mixes with the food. All starches need to be split into simple sugars by amylase before being utilized by the body. More amylase is provided by the pancreas in the duodenum. Different enzymes are needed and produced in different part of the GI tract.

Food is propelled in the esophagus by swallowing and peristalsis (contraction of muscles to push food forward). The esophagus is approximately 9 inches long tube, and empties into the stomach.

The stomach is a hollow, pouch like structure that lies below the diaphragm, under the left ribs. The stomach measures approximately 6 to 8 inches in length by 3 to 4 inches in width.

The stomach’s function is to churn food and break it into smaller particles. Stomach contains hydrochloric acid, pepsin, mucin and the intrinsic factor, which is necessary to absorb Vitamin B-12. The mucin coats the wall of the stomach, and protects the stomach wall from digestive action of the enzymes.

The acid in stomach is essential to sterilize the food, and along with pepsin initiates digestion. Stomach acid helps in break down of meats, cheese, fish, other fats and proteins.  Acid helps pepsin to change proteins into amino acids. The normal pH of stomach is ~ 2.0 or less and is needed for proper digestion.

Very little food is absorbed directly through the stomach wall - only certain minerals, water and alcohol. The stomach empties into the duodenum which becomes small intestine, where most of the digestion occurs.

The duodenum is a segment of the small intestine, which extends several inches immediately beyond the stomach.  Bile from the liver and enzymes from the pancreas are secreted as needed into the duodenum to mix with foods passing through the small intestine. These substances hydrolyze fats and split proteins and carbohydrates. Proteins are changed into amino acids and fats are broken down into glycerin and fatty acids.  Starches and sugars are converted to glucose.

The small intestine of an adult is a muscular tube, which is approximately one-half an inch in diameter, but it is 20 to 22 feet long!  It is lined with tiny, finger-like projections, called villi. The normal pH of the small intestine is pH 7.0 (neutral) to pH 9.0 (alkaline).  Liver bile and pancreatin from the pancreas need this neutral-to-alkaline condition in order to work properly for you in the breakdown of fats and converting proteins to amino acids. The pancreatic juices secrete Sodium and Potassium Bicarbonate in 2:1 ratio to neutralize the acid in the stomach.

It is critical for your doctor to know the pH of your stomach. Mal-absorption, stomach gas, belching, bloating, flatulence and irritable bowels can be dealt with much easier by your doctor when he knows the pH levels of both your stomach and small intestine. The Heidelberg test provides this information and more.

Almost 30% people over the age of 60 have very little or no hydrochloric acid (Hypochlorhydria) in their stomachs.  Lack of hydrochloric acid in the stomach interferes with digestion of proteins and sterilization of the food.

If the stomach pH is above 4.5, food is dumped out of stomach quickly resulting in incomplete digestion. Acid blocking medicines prevent the stomach from producing adequate acid and can cause long term digestive problems.

Stomach contents empty when the pH is raised to around 4.5 by the pancreatic juices. If there is excess acid in stomach or hyperacidity, then stomach emptying is delayed. This is a common problem.

This pH Gastrogram (after swallowing of pH Capsule) reveals a normal fasting-acid of 2.0. On giving an alkaline challenge (5 cc sodium bicarbonate), the pH rises to 7.0 to 8.0. It then returns to normal pH of 2.0 in ~ 20 minutes. Repeat challenge takes longer to return to baseline.