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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), also called Trimethylglycine, or TMG, is an N-trimethylated form of the amino acid Glycine with a chemical structure similar to choline and is produced from sugar beets. Used 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 (Trimethylglycine) is a pure bulk powder made up of very fine white granular crystals. Betaine HCl, a non-essential nutrient, is the naturally occurring hydrochloric acid responsible for breraking 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. Buying in bulk is also your best bet for saving money because for sure you’ll pay more at a local nutrition store. Bulk costs are cheaper in the long run and you will receive a great deal at or below wholesale prices for a high purity bulk quantity of this product.

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, which we also sell at our PureBulk Nutrition store. Whereas Betain 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.

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.

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

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

We have the most economical shipping costs & labeling practices for International orders. You can see our shipping costs here. Also, please note, that anything in a 1.5kg package can be shipped within a single flat rate envelope, however our shopping cart mistakenly displays 2 envelopes. Go ahead and ship the order, and you will notice that it only charges you the cost of 1 anyway. Look at the shipping costs tab above to see for yourself how you can calculate these charges.

Buying Betaine HCl Bulk or Wholesale

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