Consume my love; devour my hate

I have read a lot about absorption of nutrients, specifically Iron and B12. The short point: You need HCl to absorb B12 and you need B12 to produce HCl. So if you fall short on either, you slowly decrease both. It can go unnoticed for a long time. See this link for more information on the B12-HCl connection. HCl is also important for Iron absorption. Therefore, you can take all of the B12 and Iron supplements you want, but if your stomach acid is low, you won’t absorb enough! I put this info sheet together to get the word out. Nutrition is so incredibly important.

Good health and the presence of absolute immunity depend on the existence of a normal production of hydrochloric acid and its presence in the bloodstream and other fluids of the body. When the HCL production falls short, and a progressive diminution takes place, we find a loss of absolute immunity, a decreasing degree of tissue susceptibility, an imbalance of blood chemistry, and poor digestionand assimilation. This is the starting point of general ill-health and malnutrition. (http://www.diet-and-health.net/Supplements/HydrochloricAcid.html)

Signs, symptoms & indicators of Hydrochloric Acid Deficiency:

-Offensive-smelling stool

-Meal-related burping

-Meal-related bloating

-General flatulence

-White spots on fingernails

-History of adult acne

-History of eczema

-Drowsiness after meals

Recommendations and treatments for Hydrochloric Acid Deficiency:

Cayenne Pepper: Capsaicin, the active ingredient in cayenne, is believed to assist digestion by stimulating the flow of both salvia and stomach secretions. One or two capsules of cayenne pepper taken before meals stimulates hunger also.

Vinegar:Apple cider vinegar or lemon juice taken with meals mildly stimulates hydrochloric acid production.

Digestive Enzymes: A trial using plant-based enzymes to enhance digestion demonstrated their additional benefit of improving hydrochloric acid production in those individuals who were hypochlorhydric.

B-vitamins: several B vitamins are needed to support hydrochloric acid production.

sources: http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C42561.html 

http://siliconvalleyfit.com/b12-deficiency-and-hydrochloric-acid-connection/

http://www.diet-and-health.net/Supplements/HydrochloricAcid.html

The focus in nutrition is usually what do you need and how can you get it, but a big issue is what is inhibiting you from making use of everything you are consuming? Here is the B12 edition. I pulled the things that I think are most commonly used/consumed by the public.

• Alcohol (ethanol): Excessive alcohol intake lasting longer than two weeks can decrease vitamin B₁₂ absorption from the gastrointestinal tract.
• Antibiotics: An increased bacterial load can bind significant amounts of vitamin B₁₂ in the gut, preventing its absorption. In people with bacterial overgrowth of the small bowel, antibiotics such as metronidazole (Flagyl) can actually improve vitamin B₁₂status. The effects of most antibiotics on gastrointestinal bacteria are unlikely to have clinically significant effects on vitamin B₁₂ levels.
• Hormonal contraception: The data regarding the effects of oral contraceptives on vitamin B₁₂serum levels are conflicting. Some studies have found reduced serum levels in oral contraceptive users, but others have found no effect despite use of oral contraceptives for up to 6 months. When oral contraceptive use is stopped, normalization of vitamin B₁₂ levels usually occurs. Lower vitamin B₁₂serum levels seen with oral contraceptives probably are not clinically significant.
• Lack of intrinsic factor: Intrinsic factor, which is secreted  by parietal cells of the stomach, is crucial for the normal absorption of B_12.  The intrinsic factor may be present even if there is no HCl

• Nicotine: Nicotine can reduce serum vitamin B₁₂ levels. 

(Source: Wikipedia)