Utilizing Betaine HCl in Your Practice
Danielle Huntsman
Enzyme Science
Published on December 28, 2021
The benefits of stomach acid are well known; hydrochloric acid plays an essential role in absorbing minerals (potassium, iron, vitamin B12, and calcium, to name a few) and is responsible for activating key enzymes.[1] Gastrin, a hormone produced by the stomach (G cells), stimulates the release of gastric acid. Hydrochloric acid is responsible for maintaining a healthy pH of the stomach, ranging between 1.5-2.5.[2] The pH of the stomach is critical for the digestion of nutrients; stomach acidity also kills unwanted bacteria and viruses.
While stomach acid is needed for overall digestion, gastric acid secretion must be finely regulated; too much or too little acid production can affect over 25% of the population on a weekly basis.[3]
Many turn to conventional therapies which suppress acid production and often lead to just short-term relief. When stomach acid is suppressed long-term due to an acid blocker or stress, the breakdown of food is compromised.
Interestingly, studies have shown cortisol production blunts the secretion of gastric acid.[4] Yet another reason to focus on stress relief and have a relaxation practice in place.
Dosing Smart:
Often we hear from patients that they have previously tried betaine HCl with little luck or it exacerbated symptoms and therefore stopped taking it. Typically this is because of one of two reasons they completed a high-dose “challenge” of betaine HCI, or they didn’t support the epithelium lining of the stomach therefore it is important to take these factors into consideration when designing a digestion protocol.
In summary, symptoms of indigestion (including the occasional heartburn) are often mistaken for too much acid production. When we add in therapies that suppress or block stomach acid production, we only compromise digestion even further. When supporting stomach acid, every practitioner has their unique methods and protocol. Each patient is individual and can metabolize and process Betaine HCI differently. Correcting stomach pH with a healthy diet is the first step; adding in Betaine HCI can be a great way to support the natural production of stomach acid. When combined with mucosal supportive herbs, betaine HCl supplementation can be a staple in any digestion protocol.
FxMed stocks a range of digestive support products. Visit the Practitioner Resources section of the Practitioner Hub to download our Top Products Catalogue which highlights our top digestive support product recommendations. You will also be able to find product datasheets for further detail on each product contained under each brand folder, also in Practitioner Resources.
- Carabotti M, Annibale B, Lahner E. Common Pitfalls in the Management of Patients with Micronutrient Deficiency: Keep in Mind the Stomach. Nutrients. 2021;13(1):208. Published 2021 Jan 13.
- Smith JL. The role of gastric acid in preventing foodborne disease and how bacteria overcome acid conditions. J Food Prot. 2003 Jul;66(7):1292-303.
- Eisen GM, Sandler RS, Murray S, Gottfried M. The relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease and its complications with Barrett’s esophagus. Am J Gastroenterol. 1997;92:27–31.
- Holtmann G, Kriebel R, Singer MV. Mental stress and gastric acid secretion. Do personality traits influence the response? Dig Dis Sci. 1990 Aug;35(8):998-1007.
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