A decrease in or lack of normally occurring hydrochloric acid in the digestive juices of the stomach, causing food to remain in the stomach longer than the usual period of time needed for digestion. This can cause heartburn and/or indigestion and may produce gas. Also called achlorhydria.
Nutrients that are poorly absorbed due to low stomach acid include: vitamin A, vitamin B3, amino acids, and minerals (calcium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc).