Betaine hydrochloride (betaine HCL) is an acidic form of betaine, a vitamin-like substance found in grains and other foods. Betaine HCL is a supplemental source of hydrochloric acid for people who have a deficiency of stomach acid production.

The acidic environment in the stomach helps to break down dietary fats and protein for better assimilation of the smaller nutritional components in the body—proteins into peptides and amino acids, fats into fatty acids.

Pepsin is the powerful enzyme in gastric juice that breaks down dietary protein. The body produces pepsin in response to eating protein, but insufficient pepsin may prevent the proper dismantling of ingested protein and hinder subsequent nutrient absorption.

Hydrochloric acid (HCL) helps in the digestion of fats and proteins. As we get older, the stomach’s ability to secrete HCL and digestive enzymes weakens. Lowered acidity in the stomach is a leading cause of digestive complaints. Insufficient acidity leaves undigested food particles to rot, disallowing vital nutrients to be absorbed. It also creates an environment more prone to support the proliferation of potentially harmful microorganisms.*