Betaine hydrochloride increases hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach to enhance digestion, while the addition of fenugreek helps soothe and protect the stomach’s lining. Low stomach acid is more common with age, and may be associated with a number of health conditions. Combining betaine HCl with fenugreek may help boost digestion and soothe the digestive tract.

HCl assists in protein digestion by activating pepsinogen to pepsin, helping to inactivate orally ingested pathogens, preventing bacterial or fungal overgrowth of the small intestine, encouraging the flow of bile and pancreatic enzymes, and facilitating the absorption of several nutrients, including vitamin B12, ascorbic acid, calcium, iron, and magnesium. However, poor digestion can arise in the absence of adequate HCl, leading to bloating, belching, indigestion, and diarrhea or constipation. Numerous studies have shown acid secretion declines with advancing age , and impaired HCl production and secretion is correlated with a variety of clinical conditions.(5)While the underlying etiological factors leading to impaired or absent HCl secretion are not well understood, long-term supplementation is generally safe and may be effective in certain patient populations and clinical conditions.(9) Combining betaine HCl with fenugreek further supports digestive function and health, as fenugreek seeds are an excellent source of mucilage (10), which may help soothe gastrointestinal inflammation by coating the lining of the stomach and intestine.