Quick answer: Digestive Revival is the second phase of the Leaky Gut Protocol. It focuses on restoring digestion so you can absorb nutrients well. Steps include identifying nutrient deficiencies, supporting digestion with enzymes when appropriate, and, only under professional guidance, considering stomach acid support for people with signs of low stomach acid.
Key takeaways
Phase two aims to restore digestive function and fill nutrient gaps that may hold the gut back.
Digestive enzymes may help some people break down food more completely.
Stomach acid helps digest protein and control harmful bacteria, and acid supplements should only be used with guidance from a provider.
The goal of Phase 2
Restore digestive function and address nutrient gaps that may be holding the gut back. Overview: the four-phase approach.
Step 1: Identify nutrient deficiencies
Blood tests and a diet review can uncover gaps. See nutrient deficiencies linked to leaky gut. Functional labs are optional. They can be helpful in more complex cases.
Step 2: Digestive enzymes
Impaired digestion can add to gut inflammation. Enzymes may help some people by:
Possible benefits
Possible benefits include improving the breakdown and absorption of food, easing indigestion, bloating and gas, and reducing the workload on the digestive system.
Step 3: Stomach acid (hydrochloric acid)
Stomach acid helps break down protein and kills harmful bacteria. Some people have low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria). Acid supplements should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional and are not part of the standard protocol. They are not appropriate for people with ulcers or those taking NSAIDs or steroids. Related: pancreatic insufficiency.
Digestion and healthy aging
Stomach acid and enzyme output can decline with age in some people, which may affect protein, B12, iron and mineral absorption. Good digestion supports muscle, energy and the gut lining.
When to see a naturopathic doctor
It may be time to see a naturopathic doctor if you have ongoing bloating, gas, diarrhea or constipation, or food reactions that seem to be multiplying. The same is true if you have fatigue, skin flares or joint aches alongside gut symptoms, or if you want a personalized gut plan instead of guessing.
See a medical provider promptly for blood in your stool, black stools, unexplained weight loss, persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain, fever, or trouble swallowing.
What the research shows
Digestive enzyme supplements have a small number of controlled trials. In a 2018 randomized, double-blind trial by Majeed and colleagues, 40 adults with functional dyspepsia (ongoing indigestion without a clear cause) took a plant-based multienzyme complex (50 mg three times daily) or a placebo for 60 days. The enzyme group improved more than placebo on every symptom scale used, and no product-related side effects were reported. The trial was small, tested one branded product and was funded by its maker, so it needs independent confirmation.
Betaine HCl is often used to support stomach acid, but human data are very limited. In a 2013 pilot study by Yago and colleagues, 6 healthy volunteers were first given the acid-reducing drug rabeprazole for four days to raise their stomach pH. A single 1,500 mg dose of betaine HCl then lowered stomach pH from about 5.2 to 0.6 within 30 minutes, but the effect lasted only about 75 minutes. With six people and one dose, this shows betaine HCl can briefly acidify the stomach, not that it improves digestion or symptoms over time.
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Questions to bring to your clinician
These questions can help you get the most out of your next visit.
Do my symptoms suggest low stomach acid or low enzyme output?
Could low stomach acid or enzymes be part of my digestive symptoms?
Which digestive supports in this phase might suit me?
Are there any cautions in my history for acid or enzyme support?
Frequently asked questions
Should I take digestive enzymes?
They may help some people. Discuss with your provider.
What are signs of low stomach acid?
Bloating, belching and fullness after meals can be signs, but they have many causes.
Is betaine HCl safe?
Only with professional guidance; avoid it with ulcers, NSAIDs or steroids.
Why check nutrients first?
Deficiencies can slow gut repair and are easy to test for.
Sources
- Majeed M, Majeed S, Nagabhushanam K, et al. Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of a Multienzyme Complex in Patients with Functional Dyspepsia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. J Med Food 2018. PMID: 30156436. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30156436/
- Yago MR, Frymoyer AR, Smelick GS, et al. Gastric reacidification with betaine HCl in healthy volunteers with rabeprazole-induced hypochlorhydria. Mol Pharm 2013. PMID: 23980906. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23980906/
- Ianiro G, et al. Digestive Enzyme Supplementation in Gastrointestinal Diseases. Curr Drug Metab 2016. PMID: 26806042. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4923703/
- Martinsen TC, Bergh K, Waldum HL. Gastric juice: a barrier against infectious diseases. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2005. PMID: 15679471. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15679471/
- Herzig KH, et al. Fecal pancreatic elastase-1 levels in older individuals without known gastrointestinal diseases or diabetes mellitus. BMC Geriatr 2011. PMID: 21266058. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3039595/
- Andrès E, et al. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency in elderly patients. CMAJ 2004. PMID: 15289425. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC490077/
- MedlinePlus: Vitamin B12 Level
This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not replace an individual evaluation. Talk with your healthcare provider before starting supplements or changing medications, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or managing a health condition.
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