Post from lady on here earlier caught my attention and I wonder if any of you knowledgable people can throw some light on this?
I done the home test - some baking soda & water first thing and no burp at all which indicates low stomach acid. Thankfully I do not have discomfort but I’m concerned about digesting and absorbing.
This is the strange bit - when I try taking betaine HCL & pepsin in usual way I get awful discomfort, I even emptied half capsule out. Does anyone know a reason for this? I do not have reflux, wind etc, am I odd🙃. Thanks!
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FoxyTed
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Betaine isn't exactly the same as stomach acid/HCl but it is a good substitute if it works for you. Having tolerance issues with betaine is quite common though, but it may be because people aren't using it properly, or they use it when it isn't necessary, or they use too little or too much.
Pepsin is an enzyme required for digesting protein. Some people buy betaine HCl on its own without the pepsin. Depending on how well you produce your own pepsin it might not be needed but it is usually required when you eat a meal with a lot of protein in it.
I have never managed to tolerate betaine with or without pepsin. I have a history of poor gut health including duodenal ulcer and gastritis and I do okay for a couple of days then I end up in severe pain. I also have chronic pain and take NSAIDs every day. As a result I have to use PPIs all the time and as those links I gave you say, people like me can't take betaine at all.
Dear Humanbean I’m really sorry to hear of your digestive struggles, I’m sure you have tried lots of things. Have you ever had more extensive stool testing as it detects lots of hidden issues. I had one 2 years ago and then told what supps to take. I had leaky gut and candida. I stopped the supps after a few months as it was sooo expensive! Think I am a lot better now though, I do mostly GF and am for first time making kefir which should help! Think thyroid does not help!! X
I had very severe endometriosis that nobody believed in or would treat, so I was often in very severe pain. I couldn't get any help from doctors (because they thought I was drug-seeking) so I bought whatever I could over the counter. I was taking so much ibuprofen (once it became available without prescription) that I damaged my stomach. It has never recovered completely. I suspect my stomach lining is permanently thin now.
I've been taking Betaine for 6 years now. I take one 600 mg the daily with a high protein meal. I feel worse if I take it without food/protein or at night.
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