Acid-blocking pills for reflux suppress acid so you don’t get reflux. But this is important to know. If you run low on stomach acid, you will experience those symptoms above due to your inability to extract minerals from your foods. You see, stomach acid is necessary to get minerals and nutrients out of your food, and into your cells.
Do you take acid- blocking pills for reflux?
Acid-blocking drugs inhibit that process, causing undigested food globules to pass through your stomach and then, microscopic proteins leak into your bloodstream. It could launch an auto-immune attack, so having sufficient stomach acid is important to your entire digestive tract. I’m not against acid-blocking drugs. Thank goodness we have them for when those spicy buffalo wings revisit us at 1 am.
Controlling a genuine problem is fine with me, but indiscriminate consumption of acid blockers (sold without prescription in the United States) is not a good idea. Understand, stomach acid is not bad, it’s only bad if it’s produced in excess.
Did you know that you will experience symptoms of heartburn if you make too much acid, but also if you are deficient?
Weird but true. Healthy amounts of stomach acid keep the tiny trap door shut between your stomach and esophagus. This sphincter is pH sensitive and in a healthy person, it stays shut because of the natural production of acid in the stomach. When you reduce stomach acid, you then have insufficient amounts, and your stomach pH increases and this causes the trap door to swing open, causing heartburn.
That’s why some people who take a digestive acid supplement (like betaine) sometimes feel better. Small amounts of healthy digestive acids keep the trap door shut, and the acid where it should be (down in your stomach) as opposed to your throat!
The signs of low acid (termed hypochlorhydria) include heartburn!
Surprised? It’s true. Also, you see irritable bowel, belching, cramps, food sensitivities, rheumatoid, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, gallbladder disease, osteoporosis, pancreatitis, yeast infections, and rosacea.
You will certainly have chronic fatigue because the acid is needed to give you minerals which then participate in the production of both thyroid and adrenal hormones. No doubt, a little betaine can breathe life into some tired people (but get your doctor’s approval even though this is over-the-counter). I don’t know what’s right for you.
Digestive acids are sold at health food stores and onlnie by names such as “betaine hydrochloride,” or “betaine with pepsin.”
Begin supplementation by titrating your dosage upward based on symptom relief. Take acid supplements during your meal, or right after and space them apart by 5 minutes if you take more than one pill. Ask a knowledgeable practitioner if acid supplements are right for you and have your zonulin and gastrin levels tested.
Differences with Acid Supplements
The three compounds you mentioned are related but distinct in their chemical nature and uses:
- Betaine Hydrochloride (Betaine HCl): This is a form of betaine that has been combined with hydrochloric acid. It’s commonly used as a dietary supplement to increase stomach acid and improve digestion. People often take Betaine HCl to help with conditions like hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid).
- Betaine with Pepsin: This supplement combines Betaine HCl with pepsin, a digestive enzyme that breaks down proteins in the stomach. The combination is designed to mimic the natural gastric juices and is used to support digestion, particularly the digestion of proteins. It’s particularly helpful for those who may have a deficiency in stomach acid and digestive enzymes.
- Trimethylglycine (TMG): This is what betaine originally refers to. It’s not an acid supplement. It’s a compound involved in the METHYLATION process in the body, which is critical for various bodily functions including liver function, detoxification, and cellular reproduction. TMG is also known for its role in reducing homocysteine levels in the blood, which is a risk factor for heart disease. Unlike Betaine HCl and Betaine with Pepsin, TMG is not primarily used to aid digestion.
While Betaine HCl and Betaine with Pepsin are used to support digestive health, Trimethylglycine has broader applications, particularly in supporting cardiovascular health and methylation processes in the body. So, although they share a base component (betaine), their uses and benefits can differ significantly. Make sure you choose the right supplement when you go shopping.
Suzy Cohen, has been a licensed pharmacist for over 30 years and believes the best approach to chronic illness is a combination of natural medicine and conventional. She founded her own dietary supplement company specializing in custom-formulas, some of which have patents. With a special focus on functional medicine, thyroid health and drug nutrient depletion, Suzy is the author of several related books including Thyroid Healthy, Drug Muggers, Diabetes Without Drugs, and a nationally syndicated column.
