Betaine HCl
Betaine, a molecule referred to in biochemistry as trimethylglycine (TMG), is a non-essential nutrient obtained by humans from
various foods sources, including beets, spinach, broccoli,
and whole wheat. By non-essential, it is meant that the body
can manufacture betaine from other, parent molecules. Its
main purpose in the body is to facilitate necessary chemical
processes by carrying and donating methyl functional groups.
These methyl groups are important to optimal liver function,
cellular replication, and detoxification. Betaine, or TMG,
is also involved in the manufacture of carnitine, and helps
protect the kidneys from damage.
Betaine HCl, or betaine hydrochloride, is an supplemental,
chloride-salt form of betaine that is useful as a digestive
aid. Betaine HCl serves as a good source of hydrochloric acid
(HCl), which, while occurring naturally in the stomach juices
to help break down sugars and proteins, may be present at
suboptimal levels in some individuals under certain conditions.
Supplemental betaine HCl also assists in normal absorption
of vitamin B12, iron, calcium and protein. It helps protect
the stomach from orally ingested pathogenic organisms, and
prevents overpopulation of certain bacteria and fungi in your
small intestine.
Some studies indicate that patients with chronic disorders,
such as gallstones, asthma and allergies, do not produce enough
stomach acid. Production of stomach acid also tends to decrease
naturally with age. This situation can lead to a condition
known as hypochlorhydria, where insufficient acid
makes it difficult for the stomach to break down several essential
nutrients.
There are no naturally occurring dietary sources of betaine
hydrochloride; however, supplemental forms produced from sugar
beets are available for use as a digestive aid.
Health benefits of betaine HCl
- Assists in digesting and breaking down of proteins and
sugars
- Helps the body absorb vitamin B12, iron and calcium
- Protects the body from pathogenic microbiota
- Essential for people with low stomach acid production
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Principal Author: M. Ofiyeva
Date of Initial Publication: 07/05/2007
Article Last Updated: 08/26/2009
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