NOW Foods, Betaine HCl, 648 mg, 120 Veg Capsules

Now Foods Betaine HCl – 648 mg of betaine hydrochloride and acid-stable protease in a vegetable capsule

Now Foods Betaine HCl is a food supplement with 648 mg of betaine hydrochloride and 150 mg of acid-stable protease with an activity of 150 SAPU in each vegetable capsule. The protease is an enzyme obtained from the mould Aspergillus niger, known as fungal pepsin, so the capsule contains no pepsin of animal origin. The recommended daily dose is one capsule at the beginning of a meal and the bottle contains 120 capsules, which means a four-month supply. The capsule shell is made of cellulose and, according to the manufacturer, the product is suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

What is betaine hydrochloride?

Betaine, or trimethylglycine, is a compound derived from the amino acid glycine with three methyl groups in its molecule. Betaine is named after the Latin name of the sugar beet, because it was first isolated from beets. Betaine occurs naturally in, for example, beets, spinach, quinoa and wheat bran and germ. Betaine hydrochloride is the hydrochloride salt of betaine. Proteases are enzymes that break down proteins; the acid-stable protease used in this product is obtained from fungi and its activity is expressed in SAPU (spectrophotometric acid protease units). According to NOW Foods, its activity is equivalent to that of animal-derived pepsin.

How to use?

Take one capsule a day at the beginning of a meal and swallow it with a glass of water. Do not take the capsule on an empty stomach. The recommended daily dose is one capsule and it must not be exceeded. Do not use the product if you have stomach or duodenal ulcers. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, especially acid reflux, consult a physician before use. After opening, keep the bottle tightly closed in a cool, dry place.

Key features

• 648 mg betaine HCl – in each vegetable capsule.
• 150 mg acid-stable protease – activity 150 SAPU, obtained from the mould Aspergillus niger.
• Fungal pepsin – an enzyme from fungi instead of animal pepsin.
• 1 capsule a day – at the beginning of a meal; 120 capsules last for four months.
• Vegetable capsule – vegan, halal, kosher and non-GMO according to the manufacturer.
• NOW Foods – a family-owned company since 1968, manufacturing under a GMP quality system.

Who is it for?

Now Foods Betaine HCl is intended for adults only who want to use a food supplement containing betaine hydrochloride and protease obtained from fungi. The capsule is taken at the beginning of a meal, not on an empty stomach. The product is not suitable for people with stomach or duodenal ulcers. If you have acid reflux or another medical condition, are taking medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult a physician before use. Thanks to the vegetable capsule and the fungal enzyme, the product is also suitable for vegans and vegetarians according to the manufacturer.

Ingredients, quality and origin

Besides betaine hydrochloride and acid-stable protease, the capsule contains cellulose powder as a bulking agent and magnesium salts of fatty acids and silicon dioxide as anti-caking agents; the capsule shell is made of cellulose. The product may contain traces of yeast, wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish and tree nuts. Because of natural raw materials, the colour of the capsules may vary slightly. NOW Foods is a family-owned company from the United States that has been making food supplements since 1968 and whose manufacturing is GMP certified. According to the manufacturer, the bottle is made entirely from recycled plastic. Country of origin: United States of America.