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SKU: BHC

Betaine HCl

Betaine Hydrochloride and Pepsin

Designed to promote a healthy gastric pH status with betaine hydrochloride (HCl).* Offers enzymatic support with pepsin to promote healthy digestion and assimilation.*

Each capsule provides 750 mg of betaine HCl and 40 mg of pepsin, a key digestive enzyme that helps break down protein.

• Promotes healthy gastric pH status*
• Supports digestive function*
• Supports protein digestion*
• Promotes healthy stomach acid status*
• Supports normal microbial diversity*

Recommended Use: Take 1 capsule per day before a meal or as directed by
your health-care practitioner.

Warning: Do not take this product if you have a history of gastritis or ulcers, or if you are taking acid-reducing medications.

A dynamic formula to support protein digestion*

Designs for Health’s Betaine HCl is formulated with 750 mg of betaine hydrochloride (HCl) along with pepsin, one of the body’s key protein-digesting enzymes. Betaine HCl may support digestive function and promote normal protein digestion, especially for individuals with low stomach acid.* This product is delivered in capsule form to ensure delivery of the ingredients to the stomach, where they are needed to initiate protein digestion.

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Betaine HCl

Betaine Hydrochloride and Pepsin for Digestive Function, Protein Digestion, and Healthy Stomach Acid Support*

Key Performance Benefits

  • Supports digestive function*
  • Supports protein digestion*
  • Promotes healthy stomach acid levels*
  • Supports normal microbial diversity*

What This Product Is

Betaine HCl is formulated with 750 mg of betaine hydrochloride (HCl) along with 40 mg of pepsin (500,000 FCC U), one of the body’s key protein-digesting enzymes. Betaine HCl may support digestive function and promote normal protein digestion, especially for individuals with low stomach acid. This product is delivered in capsule form to ensure delivery of the ingredients to the stomach where they are needed to initiate protein digestion.*

Betaine HCl provides hydrochloric acid (HCl), an essential component for proper digestion. HCl breaks down food — especially protein — in the stomach before it moves along to the small intestine for further digestion and absorption. HCl also triggers the secretion of pepsin and is important for the absorption of certain micronutrients such as vitamin B12, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and selenium. Additionally, HCl helps protect the stomach from potential pathogenic bacteria and other microbes.*

Mechanism of Action

Stomach Acid and Protein Digestion

Betaine HCl provides supplemental hydrochloric acid to support healthy stomach acid levels. HCl breaks down food in the stomach, particularly protein, preparing it for further digestion and absorption in the small intestine. HCl also triggers the secretion of pepsin, an important enzyme for protein digestion.*

Pepsin Support

Low stomach acid may lead to lower levels of pepsin, which is why this formula includes 40 mg of pepsin (500,000 FCC U) per serving. This dual approach — providing both HCl and pepsin — ensures comprehensive support for protein digestion even when the body’s own production may be insufficient.*

Micronutrient Absorption and Microbial Balance

Stomach acid is important for the absorption of certain micronutrients including vitamin B12, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and selenium. HCl also helps protect the stomach from potential pathogenic bacteria and other microbes, supporting normal microbial diversity in the gastrointestinal tract.*

Applications

  • Individuals seeking to support digestive function and healthy stomach acid levels*
  • Those looking to promote normal protein digestion and absorption*
  • Individuals with low stomach acid seeking supplemental HCl and pepsin support*
  • Those looking to support optimal absorption of key micronutrients*
  • Individuals seeking to promote normal microbial diversity in the stomach*

Key Ingredients / Formula Highlights

Betaine Hydrochloride (750 mg per capsule)

Provides supplemental hydrochloric acid to support healthy stomach acid levels, promote protein digestion, enhance micronutrient absorption, and support protection against pathogenic bacteria and other microbes.*

Pepsin (40 mg / 500,000 FCC U per capsule)

One of the body’s key protein-digesting enzymes, included to complement HCl and ensure comprehensive protein digestion support, particularly for those with naturally low pepsin production.*

Clean Formula Design

Gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and non-GMO. Convenient single-capsule serving.

Suggested Use

Take 1 capsule per day before a meal or as directed by your health-care practitioner.

Product Questions

Why does this formula include both betaine HCl and pepsin?

Betaine HCl provides supplemental stomach acid, while pepsin is a key protein-digesting enzyme. Low stomach acid may lead to lower levels of pepsin, so providing both ensures comprehensive digestive support for protein breakdown and absorption.*

How does stomach acid support micronutrient absorption?

Adequate stomach acid is important for the absorption of certain micronutrients, including vitamin B12, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and selenium. Individuals with low stomach acid may have impaired absorption of these key nutrients.*

Who may benefit most from Betaine HCl?

Individuals with low stomach acid seeking to support digestive function, protein digestion, and micronutrient absorption may benefit. It is also appropriate for those looking to promote healthy stomach acid levels and normal microbial diversity in the gastrointestinal tract.*

Practitioner Reference

Betaine HCl is positioned within the Designs for Health Gastrointestinal Health category. Available as BHC120 (120 capsules). This product is intended for use under the guidance of a licensed health-care practitioner.