THORNE Betaine HCL / Pepsin 1 g - 47 mg Dietary Supplement Capsules 225 per Bottle

Indigestion can be caused by many things – including inadequate amounts of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach. HCl secretion in the stomach does several positive things. It assists protein digestion by converting pepsinogen to pepsin; it renders the stomach sterile against ingested pathogens; and it encourages the flow of bile and pancreatic enzymes. Hydrochloric acid also facilitates the absorption of a number of nutrients, including folate, vitamin B-12, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, iron, some forms of calcium, magnesium and zinc. Numerous studies have shown that hydrochloric acid secretion in the stomach begins to decline with advancing age.

Indigestion affects millions of people every day. For some, it's brought on by eating fatty foods. For others, spicy foods can cause them grief. Although what we eat greatly influences the frequency and severity of indigestion, this discomfort could also be related to an underlying problem – low hydrochloric acid (HCl) content in the stomach.

Illness, gall bladder removal, overuse of antacids and normal aging can contribute to insufficient secretion of stomach acid, which can adversely affect digestive enzyme activity and lead to occasional indigestion, gas, bloating and other forms of gastrointestinal discomfort. Maldigestion can also lead to digestive problems and poor absorption of nutrients, resulting in vitamin deficiencies (particularly fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins A, D, E and K). Food allergies can develop when inadequately digested proteins are absorbed through a leaky gut. As large proteins are absorbed intact, the body might recognize them as foreign and create antibodies against them, resulting in an allergic response to the food. To ensure optimal digestion, an individual should make sure to have adequate HCl content in the stomach.

• Thorne's Betaine HCl & Pepsin provides enzymes for protein digestion and occasional indigestion.
• Thorne's Betaine HCl & Pepsin benefits individuals with occasional indigestion: It promotes optimal stomach acidity, protein digestion and enzyme activity.
• The pepsin in Thorne's Betaine HCl & Pepsin comes from a porcine source.
• There are 225 stomach acidifying capsules in a bottle.