How Does Your Stomach Avoid Digesting Itself?

💡 The Answer

• The stomach lining secretes a thick layer of mucus that physically separates digestive acids and enzymes from the stomach wall.
• Specialized cells called parietal cells produce acid only when needed, and the stomach replaces its entire mucus lining every two weeks.
• If the protective mucus is damaged by factors like infection or NSAIDs, acid can burn the lining and cause an ulcer.
• The stomach also produces bicarbonate, a natural buffer, to neutralize any acid that gets too close to the underlying tissue.