Digestive Disruption: How Tums Can Harm Your Gut and Mental Health

Hot girls have stomach problems. Or, at least that's what the internet tells us. And what do hot girls reach for when their stomach hurts? Tums, the most popular stomach medication on the market. but are Tums hurting our mental health?

We've all taken Tums at some point in our lives. But how do Tums work? What do they do in our bodies?

How do Tums work?

Tums are used primarily for heartburn. They are an antacid medication that contains calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate is an alkaline substance. When it comes into contact with stomach acid, it neutralizes it.

Heartburn happens when stomach acid gets into the esophagus. There is a door-like mechanism between the esophagus and stomach called the lower esophageal sphincter. This sphincter should only open to allow food to pass through the esophagus and into the stomach. When it opens and allows stomach acid to travel up to the esophagus, you feel a burning sensation in your chest. That burning feeling is the acid coming in contact with your esophagus. Our stomach has a layer of mucosa that prevents the acid from burning the walls of the stomach. The esophagus doesn't have that.

Most people think heartburn is caused by too much acid. For most people, that isn't the case. The actual culprit is acid in the wrong place.

When you take Tums, you're destroying your stomach acid. While this does temporarily relieve heartburn, it can wreck havoc on your gut health. Poor gut health leads to poor mental health.

Why is stomach acid important?

Stomach acid is critical for proper digestion and absorption of protein and minerals. It helps break down proteins into smaller pieces to allow for easier absorption. It is also necessary for the absorption of B12, iron, calcium, and magnesium. Stomach acid even helps to filter out toxic bacteria, like E. coli and salmonella.

Without stomach acid, protein can't be absorbed efficiently. Protein consists of something called amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of hormones and neurotransmitters. You've probably heard of neurotransmitters. They are chemical messengers for the brain. Serotonin is a "feel good" chemical. People with anxiety tend to have lower levels of serotonin. Dopamine is the "motivation" chemical. People with depression tend to have lower levels of dopamine. There are plenty of other neurotransmitters as well- GABA, adrenaline, etc.

Without proper absorption of proteins, our bodies cannot create the neurotransmitters we need. When there is an imbalance of neurotransmitters, mental health can suffer.

What nutrients can Tums deplete?

We also need stomach acid to digest and absorb a few vitamins and minerals. B12, a vitamin, relies on stomach acid the most. B12 plays a role in energy production (click here for more info) and red blood cell formation. Low levels of B12 have been linked to depression. Symptoms of a deficiency include fatigue, numbness, and problems with memory.

Iron also relies on stomach acid. This mineral contributes to the production of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. It also helps create energy. Low iron levels can lead to iron deficiency amenia. This type of amenia can cause severe fatigue and mimic symptoms of anxiety.

Calcium is often associated with bone health, but it plays an important role in mental health as well. This mineral helps regulate the creation and release of several neurotransmitters. Because of this, deficiencies can cause mood changes like those in anxiety and depression.

Magnesium is a major player when it comes to mental health! It is involved in over 300 reactions in the body. Magnesium deficiencies are well know to cause anxiety and trouble sleeping.

How do Tums impact the gut microbiome?

Stomach acid plays a critical role in helping us absorb nutrients we need to feel our best. But that's not all! It acts as a filter for toxic bacteria, such as E. coli and salmonella.

E. coli and salmonella can cause major illness. Symptoms include diarrhea and fever. Doctors prescribe antibiotics to kill these deadly infections. Severe infections and the use of antibiotics can cause chaos for the gut microbiome.

The gut microbiome consists of trillions of bacteria living within your large intestine. A healthy microbiome is diverse and balanced. The microbiome is connected to almost every system in your body and heavily influences your health.

Infections disrupt the balance of the microbiome. They allow for harmful bacteria to grow at faster rates than healthy bacteria. Antibiotics are used to kill all the bacteria. While they are needed to kill the harmful species, they end up killing the healthy species as well. When the bacteria levels in the microbiome drop, we are susceptible to more overgrowth of bad bacteria or fungus.

You might be thinking, "this sounds bad, but how does it relate to mental health?" Glad you asked!

The gut is linked to the brain via the gut brain connection. The gut sends signals to the brain based on the foods we eat and the environment within the gut. The gut also produces 90% of the serotonin and 50% of the dopamine in our body. Healthy microbiomes produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs help regulate neurotransmitter production and influence DNA and inflammation in the brain. When the microbiome is unhealthy, the brain tends to be unhealthy also.

What can I use instead of Tums?

If Tums aren't the answer, then what is? Remember, heartburn usually doesn't mean there is too much stomach acid. It means there is stomach acid in the wrong place! To prevent stomach acid from getting into the esophagus, we need to focus on sealing the lower esophageal sphincter.

Smoking and alcohol both reduce lower esophageal sphincter pressure, leading to heartburn. Fried foods and excessive salt can lead to heartburn as well. Foods rich in fiber, like vegetables, whole grains, and beans, can improve heartburn.

If you find yourself still reaching for Tums, there are alternatives you can try instead. Aloe vera juice is anti-inflammatory. It soothes irritation in the esophagus and stomach. Fennel (both fresh and as a tea) is fantastic for the digestive system. It is used to help ween people off of antacids and other acid-suppressing medications.

There are plenty of lifestyle strategies to manage acid reflux as well. Avoid lying down within 3 hours of eating. Staying in an upright position makes it harder for acid to leave the stomach and enter the esophagus. If acid reflux keeps you up at night, sleeping on your left side with your head elevated can relieve symptoms. Stress and anxiety can trigger acid reflux. Practice self-care and stress management regularly.

How can I learn more about how to manage my acid reflux naturally?

Taking Tums and other antacids can feel like the best way to manage acid reflux, but they're likely causing more harm than good. Tums significantly reduce stomach acid levels and negatively impact mental health.

If you feel like you need more support managing your acid reflux, I am here to help. Schedule a free 20 minute discovery call with me here to discuss how we can work together to meet your goals.