Betaine HCl
(Betaine hydrochloride)

General Info

Active Forms
Betaine hydrochloride

Absorption
Betaine hydrochloride functions in the stomach, it is not absorbed into systemic circulation.

Dietary Sources
Betaine hydrochloride is extracted from beets, but eating beets will not provide therapeutic levels.

Dosage Info

Dosage Range 50 mg to 650 mg per meal. Most Common Dosage None established; dosage varies widely according to individual need. Dosage Forms Tablets and capsules		Adult RDI None established Adult ODA None established

Overview

Betaine hydrochloride is a form of hydrochloric acid that is derived from beets. It is commonly used as a digestive enzyme by individuals who do not produce adequate levels of gastric hydrochloric acid for protein digestion. It has been estimated that approximately 30% of elderly adults have insufficient production of hydrochloric acid from the parietal cells in the lining of the stomach.(1) The clinical terms for people with limited or a lack of hydrochloric acid secretion are hypochlorhydria and achlorhydria. Insufficient production of gastric hydrochloric acid can also negatively influence the body's ability to absorb many nutrients. Consequently, low levels of hydrochloric acid can be a contributing factor in numerous other clinical conditions such as asthma, atherosclerosis, candida yeast infections, gastritis(2), and rheumatoid arthritis.(3) Although betaine hydrochloride may be a beneficial therapeutic component in treatment protocols for these conditions, scientific studies with betaine HCl have not been conducted in these areas.

Toxicities & Precautions

Betaine hydrochloride functions in the stomach, it is not absorbed into systemic circulation.

General
Excessively large doses may cause a "heartburn" type of feeling resulting from too much stomach acid. Drinking several glasses of water will dilute the acid and should alleviate the discomfort.

Health Conditions
Individuals with esophageal reflux, ulcers, or are at high risk for developing an ulcer, such as individuals who regularly take aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), should not use betaine HCl without a doctor's supervision because it may cause increased irritation.(4)

Functions in the Body

Uses

Clinical Applications
	Hypochlorhydria

Digestion
Betaine hydrochloride facilitates the conversion of pepsinogen to pepsin, which is required for the proper digestion of protein in the stomach.

Maintain Gastric pH
Betaine hydrochloride will also help individuals who do not produce sufficient natural hydrochloric acid to maintain the correct gastric pH. Proper gastric acidity provides a natural protective barrier against most bacteria entering the G.I. tract via the oral route.(5)

Clinical Applications

Hypochlorhydria
Although no scientific studies could be located, betaine hydrochloride is commonly used as a digestive aid for individuals who do not produce enough gastric hydrochloric acid for digestive purposes. The clinical condition known as hypochlorhydria refers to individuals who have a deficiency in their production of hydrochloric acid from the parietal glands in the lining of the stomach, whereas achlorhydria refers to people who have virtually no production of gastric hydrochloride acid in the stomach.

Symptoms & Causes of Deficiency

Since the body does not produce betaine hydrochloride, there is no deficiency condition associated with it.

Footnotes

¹ Champagne ET. Low gastric hydrochloric acid secretion and mineral bioavailability. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1989;249:173-84.
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² Evenepoel P. Alteration in digestion and absorption of nutrients during profound acid suppression. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. Jun2001;15(3):539-51.
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³ Lombardi A, Pignone A, Perfetto F. The enzymatic mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and arthrosis. The role of metalloproteases and serine proteases in the breakdown of articular cartilage. Recenti Prog Med. Sep1993;84(9):634-41.
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⁴ Abdel-Salam OM, Czimmer J, Debreceni A, Szolcsanyi J, Mozsik G. Gastric mucosal integrity: gastric mucosal blood flow and microcirculation. An overview. J Physiol Paris. Jan2001;95(1-6):105-27.
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⁵ Howe GR, Benito E, Castelleto R, et al. Dietary intake of fiber and decreased risk of cancers of the colon and rectum: evidence from the combined analysis of 13 case-control studies. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1992;84:1887-1896.
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Betaine HCl(Betaine hydrochloride)

Betaine HCl
(Betaine hydrochloride)