Doctor's Best Betaine HCI Pepsin and Gentian Bitters, Digestive Enzymes for Protein Breakdown and Absorption, Non-GMO, Gluten Free, 360 Count (Pack of 1)

Betaine hcl is a form of hcl used as a nutrient to supplement the stomach's own production of hcl, or stomach acid. While occasional indigestion may be a result of acid irritating tissue in the structure above the stomach known as the esophagus, a line of research suggests that the cause of this irritation may actually be less than optimal stomach acid production. Stomach acid is normally produced by the parietal cells of the stomach and the function of stomach acid is to break down food that enters the stomach into smaller fragments and nutrient components. These components move through the stomach into the small intestine where they are further broken down by digestive enzymes in the upper part of the small intestine. Individual nutrients that result from the digestion of proteins, fats and carbohydrates can then be absorbed and assimilated by the body and used for metabolism and growth.