Originally Posted by rose

Often people take antacids when in actuality they don't have enough acid. And many people lose stomach acid even though they haven't taken anything.

Low stomach acid becomes very common as people age. So a person should not assume that if they stop taking antacids they can then absorb B12.

People with pernicious anemia are losing or have lost the ability to produce intrinsic factor. It's not a matter of handling it. It is going, going, gone.

Stomach acid is protective as well as important for absorption of nutrients.

rose