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Click to Enlarge Unit Weight: 1500 grams Unit Volume: 2500 cc Click to Enlarge Certificate of Analysis Click to Enlarge Volumetric Equivalents

What is Betaine HCl?

Betaine hydrochloride (HCl) is an N-trimethylated form of the amino acid Glycine with a chemical structure similar to choline. As a digestive aid, the Betaine HCl is particularly helpful for persons with insufficient acid production in the stomach. To support digestive health, Betaine HCl contributes to stomach acid in the body which can be used to promote enzymatic digestion. The main difference between this HCL and the Anhydrous versions is the fact that the HCL, because of its highly acidic nature, may be used as a digestive aid while TMG ("anhydrous betaine") may not. Betaine is obtained by humans from food, either as betaine or as choline-containing compounds. Food items with the highest content of betaine are wheat, spinach, and sugar beets. Estimates of betaine intake are from 0.1 to 1 g/day and as high as 2.5 g/day for a diet high in wholewheat and seafood. Also, betaine is formed from choline, a B-complex vitamin essential in the metabolism of fat.

Betaine hydrochloride supplies hydrochloric acid, a naturally occurring stomach acid that helps break up fats and proteins for quicker digestion in the small intestine. Stomach acid also helps make the absorption of nutrients through the walls of the intestines easier so it can go into the blood and delivered where it is needed. Gastric acid also aids in guarding the gastrointestinal tract from harmful bacteria. A normal level of gastric acid in the stomach, which is 100,000-1,000,000 times more acidic than water, is sufficient to kill bacteria, but a low level increases the possibility and severity of some bacterial and parasitic intestinal infections. Betaine hydrochloride is a synthesized and manufactured chemical, and is not obtained from any plant or animal source. Gastric acid is created by stomach cells, and is not available from any food source. Occasionally, betaine is recommended to reduce blood levels of homocysteine, which is associated with heart disease. This form of betaine is not the same as betaine hydrochloride, and can only be used with a doctor's prescription.

What is Betaine HCl used for and who uses it?

Naturopaths (therapists who practice natural medicine) have long held that low stomach acid is a widespread problem that interferes with the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Betaine hydrochloride is among the most suggested treatment for this condition. It helps nutrients and other minerals to be more easily and readily absorbed, and may be especially helpful with nutritional supplements, which are often taken in forms that may not be easily metabolized and digested. Numerous studies suggest that individuals with a wide spectrum of chronic disorders, such as allergies, asthma, and gallstones, do not have adequate amounts of stomach acid. Taking betaine hydrochloride with meals can help digest proteins which can consequently reduce food sensitivities through improved digestion.

Betaine hydrochloride has been used to supply hydrochloric acid in the treatment of a condition wherein an abnormally low amount of hydrochloric acid is in the stomach, also known as hypochlorhydria. It has been used in preparations for the treatment of liver disorders, hypokalaemia (abnormally low levels of potassium in the blood), and high homocysteine. Betaine hydrochloride has also been used to treat tic douloreux (a condition which involves pain along the course of a facial nerve), cystinuria (a hereditary defect that results in recurring kidney stone formation), and vitiligo (a condition that is characterized by milky-white patches on otherwise normal skin).

Betaine hydrochloride may also be used as a lipotropic. Lipotropics help in the detoxification of metabolic wastes and toxins by preventing the accumulation of fat in the liver. They may be used to help with weight loss. Other benefits of lipotropics include detoxification of the waste byproducts of protein synthesis, increasing resistance to disease by stimulating the thymus gland, stepping up production of lecithin in the liver, which can lower cholesterol levels, preventing plaque deposits in arteries, and preventing gallstone formation.

How pure is your Betaine HCl?

This food grade Betaine HCL is assayed by the manufacturer as 98.9% pure product (normal range 98.0% and up). You will receive a double sealed labeled bulk polyethylene bag containing this very fine white granular powder product. It contains no fillers, taste additives, or anti-caking agents. The remaining 1.1% by weight are inactive byproducts of the extraction. Betaine HCl, a non-essential nutrient, is the naturally occurring hydrochloric acid responsible for breaking down fats and proteins in the stomach for the proper absorption of protein, calcium, vitamin B12, and iron. The low PH of the stomach’s hydrochloric acid allows it to digest any bacteria and micro-organisms that might have been ingested. Although Betaine is readily available from food, Betaine HCL on the other hand, naturally produced in the parietal cells of the stomach, is not found in food. For this reason, to achieve the optimal levels of protection that may be afforded by Betaine HCL, an individual may wish to consider using Betaine HCL supplements.

Taste, solubility, and daily suggested dose of Betaine HCl

This food grade Betaine HCl is suitable for human consumption and has a highly sour and acidic taste but mixes and dissolves readily with water and tastes similar to artificial lemonade when sweetened with sugar or a sugar substitute. Betaine HCL differs remarkably in taste from Betaine Anhydrous. Whereas Betaine HCL is highly acidic and extremely sour tasting, Betaine Anhydrous has a relatively mild pleasant taste and tastes sweet with a metallic aftertaste.

The typically recommended dose for Betaine HCl varies between 600 mg and 6 grams per day, depending upon individual needs. In one small preliminary study, three grams taken twice daily were consumed to produce a homocysteine-lowering effect. One half level tablespoon will supply approximately 4937 milligrams, or just about 5 grams for the bulk density of this Betaine HCL powder. Those who use betaine hydrochloride as a digestive aid typically take a dose of 600 to 650 milligrams after each meal daily. You can see the full bulk density/volumetric conversion chart for Betaine HCl here.

As always, if you have concerns or questions, consult a physician or a health care professional before taking any supplements. Before taking any kind of medicine, check with your doctor to ensure that the supplement you want to take is right for you. You may be allergic or you may have a sensitive stomach which may raise the need for special instruction as far as dosage goes.

Precautions and Potential side effects of Betaine HCl

There have been reports saying if you take too much betaine hydrochloride, your stomach will feel warm and pain may ensue. Occasional nausea, vomiting and diarrhea have been reported as well if taken in higher than recommended amounts. Since no studies have been conducted on long term effects of the supplement, just to be on the safe side, those suffering from advanced liver and kidney disease as well as children or pregnant and nursing women should refrain from using it. Individuals suffering from allergies, ulcers, or heartburn should consult their doctors before using betaine hydrochloride. In fact, anyone who has normal levels of stomach acid should contact a physician before supplementing with Betaine HCL.

The information at Purebulk.com is NOT a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not use any dietary supplement as a replacement for conventional care, or as a reason to postpone seeing a doctor about a medical problem. Tell all your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

Betaine HCl is used in the following Proprietary Formulas

Now Foods Betaine HCl, Source Naturals Betaine HCl, Now Foods, TMG (Trimethylglycine), Source Naturals Homocysteine Defense, Jarrow Formulas TMG 500, Country Life Betaine Hydrochloride with Pepsin, Twinlab Betaine HCl Caps, Natural Factors Betaine Hydrochloride, Doctor's Best Betaine HCl Pepsin & Gentian Bitters, Life Extension TMG

References & Further Research

Effects of betaine intake on plasma homocysteine concentrations and consequences for health
High plasma concentrations of homocysteine may increase risk of cardiovascular disease. Betaine in high doses (6 g/d and higher) is used as homocysteine-lowering therapy for people with hyperhomocysteinemia due to inborn errors in the homocysteine metabolism. Studies in healthy volunteers with plasma homocysteine concentrations in the normal range show that betaine supplementation lowers plasma fasting homocysteine dose-dependently to up to 20% for a dose of 6 g/d of betaine. Moreover, betaine acutely reduces the increase in homocysteine after methionine loading by up to 50%, whereas folic acid has no effect. Betaine doses in the range of dietary intake also lower homocysteine. This implies that betaine can be an important food component that attenuates homocysteine rises after meals. If homocysteine plays a causal role in the development of cardiovascular disease, a diet rich in betaine or choline might benefit cardiovascular health through its homocysteine-lowering effects.

Betaine concentration as a determinant of fasting total homocysteine concentrations and the effect of folic acid supplementation on betaine concentrations
Remethylation of homocysteine to methionine can occur through either the folate-dependent methionine synthase pathway or the betaine-dependent betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase pathway. The relevance of betaine as a determinant of fasting total homocysteine (tHcy) is not known, nor is it known how the 2 remethylation pathways are interrelated. The objectives of the study were to examine the relation between plasma betaine concentration and fasting plasma homocysteine concentrations and to assess the effect of folic acid supplementation on betaine concentrations in healthy subjects. The plasma betaine concentration is a significant determinant of fasting homocysteine concentrations in healthy humans. Overall data indicated folic acid supplementation increases the betaine concentration, which indicates that the 2 remethylation pathways are interrelated.

Low dose betaine supplementation leads to immediate and long term lowering of plasma homocysteine in healthy men and women
High plasma homocysteine is a risk for cardiovascular disease and can be lowered through supplementation with 6 g/d of betaine. This research confirmed a betaine-rich diet can significantly lower cardiovascular disease risk.

Betaine in human nutrition
The growing body of evidence shows that betaine is an important nutrient for the prevention of chronic disease.

Betaine HCl for International Customers

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