Alternative names: Trimethylglycine (TMG).
Betaine HCl is the hydrochloride salt of betaine. It is an interesting supplement additive, being used for both its betaine component as well as the HCl component.
Betaine HCl is an off-white crystal; beet juice is a good natural source.
As a methyl donor, betaine acts to protect DNA (via methylation) from damage. Betaine is also lipotropic, listing it as a hepatoprotectant in the Merck index for its ability to move fat from the liver.
As a hydrochloric salt, betaine HCl is often used to promote digestion by lowering the pH of the stomach. This can be especially helpful in older people whose pH in the stomach has increased due to lack of HCl production. Increased digestion in the stomach can greatly help those who have food allergies, as undigested food in the intestines is a major problem.
Your body is a highly complex, interconnected system. Instead of guessing at what might be wrong, let us help you discover what is really going on inside your body based on the many clues it is giving.
Our multiple symptom checker provides in-depth health analysis by The Analyst™ with full explanations, recommendations and (optionally) doctors available for case review and answering your specific questions.