People who take antacids on a regular basis are likely to impair their absorption of protein nutrients, primarily because

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Antacids neutralize stomach acid, which is necessary for the activation of proteases (enzymes that break down proteins) by HCl and autocatalysis. Therefore, the lower amounts of activated proteases will impair the absorption of protein nutrients. Pepsin, an important protease, is also secreted as an inactive precursor called pepsinogen, which is activated by the low pH of the stomach. However, antacids do not affect the conversion of pepsinogen into pepsin. The pH of the stomach with antacid use is higher, which will not inhibit the activation of protein-digesting enzymes, but it may prevent the activation of lipases that require a lower pH for optimal activity.

People Who Take Antacids on a Regular Basis Are Likely