How to Take Betaine HCl to Improve Low Stomach Acid

How to Take Betaine HCl to Improve Low Stomach Acid

If you’ve been struggling with bloating, gas, indigestion, or acid reflux, you may be dealing with low stomach acid. Betaine HCl, often combined with pepsin, is a supplement that can help improve stomach acidity and support digestion. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to use it effectively, when to increase or decrease your dosage, and other important considerations.

What Is Betaine HCl?

Betaine HCl (hydrochloride) is commonly found in capsule form and is designed to increase stomach acidity. It’s often used to address symptoms like:

  • Belching

  • Bloating

  • Indigestion

  • Acid reflux

If you suspect you might have low stomach acid, a simple way to estimate your stomach acid levels is the baking soda test. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in 4 oz (120 ml) of cold water and drink it upon waking. If you don’t belch within three minutes, it could indicate low stomach acid.

How to Take Betaine HCl

Using Betaine HCl effectively involves starting with a low dose and gradually increasing it if needed. Here’s how:

Step 1: Start with One Capsule

Begin with one capsule of betaine HCl during the middle of a meal that contains at least 20-25 grams of protein. Taking it in the middle of the meal helps ensure the capsule reaches your stomach and does not open prematurely in the esophagus, which can cause discomfort. Betaine HCl works quickly, causing re-acidification of the stomach in an average of 6.3 minutes, and lasting over an hour. (1)

Why Timing Matters

  • Avoid taking it after meals: Capsules may open in the esophagus, causing heartburn-like symptoms.

  • Avoid taking it before meals: This can signal your body to halt natural stomach acid production due to feedback mechanisms.

By taking the supplement mid-meal, you combine your natural stomach acid production with the added acidity from betaine HCl, ensuring optimal digestion.

Step 2: Only Use Betaine HCl with Protein-Rich Meals

Betaine HCl is specifically designed to aid in protein digestion. Avoid using it with snacks or meals that lack sufficient protein (less than 20-25 grams).

How to Increase Your Dose

If one capsule does not cause any discomfort, you can slowly increase your dosage to find your optimal level:

  1. Start Low: Begin with one capsule per meal.

  2. Monitor for Discomfort: If you feel a warming or burning sensation in your sternum, stop using betaine HCl for the rest of the day. This sensation suggests you may not need additional acid.

  3. Increase Gradually: If no discomfort occurs, increase to two capsules per meal after two days. Continue this pattern, adding one capsule every two days, up to a maximum of eight capsules per meal.

  4. Find Your Limit: If you experience discomfort at a higher dose, reduce your intake by one capsule the following day and maintain that as your maximum dose. (2)

Example Progression:

  • Day 1: Start with one capsule (no discomfort)

  • Day 3: Increase to two capsules (no discomfort)

  • Day 5: Increase to three capsules (no discomfort)

  • Day 7: Increase to four capsules (experience burning sensation). Stop use for the rest of the day.

  • Day 8: Skip betaine HCl.

  • Day 9: Resume with three capsules per meal—this is your maximum dose.

How to Taper Off Betaine HCl

Once your digestive issues are resolved, you can taper off betaine HCl slowly to ensure your body adjusts:

  • Reduce the dose by one capsule per week, monitoring your digestion after each reduction.

  • Your body will not become dependent on betaine HCl, and tapering off will not cause withdrawal symptoms.

Final Thoughts

Betaine HCl can be a helpful tool for managing low stomach acid and improving digestion. However, it’s always best to use this supplement under the guidance of a healthcare professional. 

For more tips on gut health and digestion, subscribe to my YouTube channel, where I post new videos every Monday at 6 PM Central Time. Thanks for reading, and here’s to better digestion!

  1. Fordtran JS, Feldman M, Richardson CT. Gastric Re-acidification with Betaine HCl in Healthy Volunteers with Rabeprazole-Induced Hypochlorhydria. BMC Gastroenterology. 2014 Mar 15;14(1). DOI: 10.1186/1471-230X-14-22. PMID: 24628777. PMCID: PMC3946491.

  2. Keller J, Martin R, Brooks K. Meal-Time Supplementation with Betaine HCl for Functional Hypochlorhydria: Physiological and Clinical Considerations. Nutr Rev. 2021 May 10;79(6). DOI: 10.1093/nutrev/nuaa130. PMID: 33612194. PMCID: PMC7238915.

 

Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/iAnzhj6WAAE 

Written By : Daniel Ricciardi

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