How does too little acid cause gastric distress?

A. More than enough acid is present to digest proteins, resulting in inadequate digestion of proteins.
B. The pH of the stomach becomes so high that proteins are not digested properly.
C. The pH of the stomach becomes so low that proteins are not digested properly.
D. Neutrality is achieved so proteins are not digested properly.

B ... Low stomach pH => gastric distress causing several uncomfortable conditions... Bloating, excess gas (due to excess bacterial digestion instead of HCl digestion process), Grud, etc.

DrRebel is better then DrBOb

C. The pH of the stomach becomes so low that proteins are not digested properly.

When there is too little acid in the stomach, the pH level becomes higher than usual, making the environment less acidic. This can lead to incomplete digestion of proteins, as the stomach acid plays a crucial role in breaking down proteins into smaller units for absorption. When proteins are not properly digested, it can result in gastric distress or symptoms such as bloating, gas, and discomfort.

To determine how too little acid causes gastric distress, we need to understand the role of stomach acid in the digestive process. The acid in the stomach, mainly hydrochloric acid (HCl), plays a crucial role in breaking down food, especially proteins.

When food enters the stomach, HCl is secreted by specialized cells in the stomach lining. The low pH (high acidity) of the stomach acid helps denature proteins, meaning it unfolds their complex structures, making them more accessible to digestive enzymes.

Now, let's go through the options to find the correct answer:

A. More than enough acid is present to digest proteins, resulting in inadequate digestion of proteins.
This option suggests the opposite scenario, where excess acid is present. Therefore, it is not the correct answer.

B. The pH of the stomach becomes so high that proteins are not digested properly.
If the pH of the stomach becomes high, it means it is becoming alkaline, not acidic. In an alkaline environment, the stomach would lose its ability to properly digest proteins. However, this option is incorrect because it describes too much acidity, not too little.

C. The pH of the stomach becomes so low that proteins are not digested properly.
This option describes a scenario of extremely low pH, meaning excess acidity. While high acidity can cause gastric distress, such as heartburn and acid reflux, too little acid would not cause proteins to be inadequately digested. Therefore, this option is also incorrect.

D. Neutrality is achieved so proteins are not digested properly.
This option suggests a scenario where the stomach pH reaches neutrality (pH 7), effectively losing its acidic nature. However, proteins need an acidic environment to be properly broken down. In a neutral pH, proteins would not be digested as effectively. Therefore, this option correctly explains how too little acid causes gastric distress.

Hence, the correct answer is option D.