Betaine HCL is a non-essential nutrient and a source of hydrochloric acid, a naturally occurring chemical in the stomach that helps digest food by breaking up fats and proteins. In particular, it is necessary for adequate absorption of protein, calcium, vitamin B12 and iron. It is also known as hydrochloric acid and stomach acid. The low pH of the stomach's hydrochloric acid also destroys ingested bacteria and microorganisms. It is a dietary supplement that is used as a digestive aid. It is a delivery form of hydrochloric acid, the substance that creates the acid environment in the stomach. It is made up of betaine, a substance from beet sugar, bound to hydrochloric acid. By binding the HCl to betaine, the substance becomes stable and can be swallowed without damaging the esophagus. Once in the stomach, it is separated. The HCL creates a more acid environment, while the Betaine moves on to be absorbed in the small intestine.
Betaine may lower elevated homocysteine levels in some. It may also have lipotropic and hepatoprotective activity. Betaine has been found to protect the livers of experimental animals against the hepatotoxins ethanol and carbon tetrachloride. Another possible hepatoprotective mechanism of Betaine, at least in animals, may be due to its osmolyte activity. Betaine HCL alone, or in combination with pepsin is used as a digestive aid, in hypochlorhydria. There are no published research trials that test the efficacy and safety of Betaine HCl or any HCl. However, its use as a supplement is well accepted in the medical community when the stomach acid is suspected to be low.
References:
PDR Health. http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/bet_0331.shtml
Oral Chelation. http://www.oralchelation.com/ingred/betaine.htm
