Need info on antacids

[Daenerys Targaryen]

im currently doing my SAC 2 on enzymes...
ive got a question saying:
how does antacid tablets interefere with our stomachs?
or something along those lines
any suggestions?

[happycat]

The stomach contains an enzyme called pepsin which catalyses the breakdown of proteins or shall I be more specific and say catalyses the hydrolysis of proteins. Antacid makes a solution more alkaline, and too much alkalinity denatures the enzyme. Therefore the stomach's ability to breakdown proteins is distrupted. Try to google some of the terms provided for further information. Hope this helps.

[Daenerys Targaryen]

ahh yeah, so as the stomach prodces more acids, it becomes more acidic which is usually some kind of stomach ache?
and the antacid tablets are basic, so when digested it increases the pH neutralising the pH returning back to the optimum range?

[Russ]

Yes, increased acidity will act on the nerve endings in the stomach, which is interpreted as pain
There are many different ways to treat excess stomach acid, giving basic compounds (magnesium hydroxide etc.) is just the most basic. They directly neutralize the aid and raise the pH.

[Daenerys Targaryen]

do these antacids change it directly back to the optimum range or can it become slightly more basic until out stomachs produce more acid to reduce the alkaliny

[Russ]

They will just make it more basic, resulting in homeostatic changes to increase acidity. It can be a vicious cycle, especially if you keep taking antacids for a long period of time