NOW Foods Betaine HCl 648 mg - 120 Veg Capsule
NOW Foods Betaine HCl 648 mg - 120 Veg Capsule
NOW Foods Betaine HCl 648 mg is a food supplement providing 648 mg of betaine hydrochloride and 150 mg of acid-stable fungal protease (150 SAPU) per vegetarian capsule, in a 120-capsule bottle.
This is a two-ingredient formula. Betaine HCl is the hydrochloride salt of betaine (trimethylglycine). The protease is a pepsin-type enzyme produced by the fungus Aspergillus niger, so the product contains no porcine pepsin and no other animal-derived actives. Note that 648 mg is the amount per capsule: NOW's label serving is 2 capsules, which provides 1,296 mg of betaine HCl and 300 mg of protease.
At a Glance
- Type: food supplement, betaine hydrochloride with acid-stable protease, in capsules
- Per capsule: 648 mg betaine HCl + 150 mg acid-stable protease (150 SAPU)
- Per label serving (2 capsules): 1,296 mg betaine HCl + 300 mg protease (300 SAPU)
- Enzyme source: fungal pepsin from Aspergillus niger, not porcine pepsin
- Pack: 120 vegetarian capsules (hypromellose shell) = 60 two-capsule servings
- Status: food supplement, not a medicine. Food supplements in Ireland are regulated by the FSAI
- Delivery: dispatched from Dublin by next-day DPD. Free delivery on orders over €75
Supplement Facts
| Active | Per capsule | Per 2 capsules (label serving) | NRV % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Betaine HCl (betaine hydrochloride) | 648 mg | 1,296 mg | Not established |
| of which betaine, calculated from molecular weight (about 76%) | approx. 494 mg | approx. 988 mg | Not established |
| Acid-stable protease (fungal pepsin from Aspergillus niger) | 150 mg (150 SAPU) | 300 mg (300 SAPU) | Not established |
Servings per container: 60 (2 capsules each). NRV = Nutrient Reference Value. SAPU = Spectrophotometric Acid Protease Units, a measure of enzyme activity. The betaine figure is our own calculation from molecular weights and does not appear on the label.
Ingredients: betaine hydrochloride, acid-stable protease (from Aspergillus niger), capsule shell (hypromellose), anti-caking agents (magnesium stearate from vegetable source, silicon dioxide), bulking agent (microcrystalline cellulose).
Allergen information: no allergens are declared in the ingredients. This product is not labelled or certified gluten free. It is produced in a facility that also processes ingredients containing yeast, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nuts and sesame.
Key Features
- 648 mg betaine HCl per capsule, 1,296 mg per two-capsule label serving
- 150 mg acid-stable protease per capsule, with enzyme activity declared (150 SAPU)
- Fungal pepsin from Aspergillus niger instead of porcine pepsin
- Vegetarian capsule shell (hypromellose). Labelled vegetarian and vegan by NOW Foods
- Two actives only. No ox bile, no pancreatin, no added herbs
- 120 capsules per bottle, which is 60 two-capsule servings or 120 single-capsule servings
- Supplied by Probiotic.ie, an authorised Irish retailer of NOW Foods, and dispatched from Dublin
Single ingredient or enzyme complex?
- This product is betaine HCl with one protease. It suits buyers who want a stated betaine HCl amount per capsule in a vegetarian formula.
- Want a multi-enzyme tablet? NOW Foods Super Enzymes has 200 mg betaine HCl per tablet alongside ox bile, porcine pancreatin, bromelain and papain. It is not vegetarian.
- Looking for betaine without the hydrochloride? NOW Foods TMG (Trimethylglycine) 1000mg is a different product.
- Browse the range: Digestive Enzymes collection.
- Read the guide: Digestive Enzymes Explained: types, what each one digests, and what the evidence shows.
How to take
Take 1 to 2 capsules at the beginning of each meal. Do not take on an empty stomach. Swallow capsules whole with water and do not open or chew them. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. For adults aged 18 and over. Store in a cool, dry place after opening.
Do not take this product if you have stomach or duodenal ulcers. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take any medication, or have a medical condition, especially acid reflux or an upper gastrointestinal ulcer.
This product is a food supplement and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or health condition. No authorised EU health claim is made for betaine HCl or acid-stable protease on this page. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NOW Foods Betaine HCl 648 mg?
It is a food supplement in capsule form. Each vegetarian capsule contains 648 mg of betaine hydrochloride and 150 mg of acid-stable protease (150 SAPU) from the fungus Aspergillus niger. The bottle holds 120 capsules.
How much betaine HCl is in each capsule?
Each capsule contains 648 mg of betaine HCl. NOW's label serving is 2 capsules, which provides 1,296 mg. By molecular weight, betaine HCl is about 76% betaine, so one capsule supplies roughly 494 mg of betaine itself. That last figure is our calculation and is not printed on the label.
What is betaine HCl?
Betaine HCl is short for betaine hydrochloride, the hydrochloride salt of betaine. Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine, a compound found naturally in foods such as beetroot, spinach and wholegrains. In water the salt separates into betaine and hydrochloric acid, which is why betaine HCl is an acidic ingredient.
Is this a betaine HCl with pepsin product?
It contains a pepsin-type enzyme, but not animal pepsin. Many betaine HCl products use pepsin taken from pigs. This formula uses an acid-stable protease made by the fungus Aspergillus niger, which NOW describes as fungal pepsin. Each capsule has 150 mg with a declared activity of 150 SAPU.
What does SAPU mean?
SAPU stands for Spectrophotometric Acid Protease Units. It measures how active a protease enzyme is in acidic conditions, as opposed to how much it weighs. This product declares 150 SAPU per capsule and 300 SAPU per two-capsule serving.
Is betaine HCl the same as TMG?
No. TMG (trimethylglycine) is betaine on its own. Betaine HCl is betaine bound to hydrochloric acid as a salt, which makes it acidic. They are sold as different products and are not interchangeable. Probiotic.ie stocks NOW Foods TMG 1000mg separately.
Is it suitable for vegetarians and vegans?
The capsule shell is hypromellose (plant cellulose), not gelatine, and the protease is fungal, not porcine. NOW Foods labels the product as a vegetarian and vegan formula. The magnesium stearate is from a vegetable source.
How many capsules should I take, and when?
The label directs 1 to 2 capsules at the beginning of each meal. It should not be taken on an empty stomach. At 2 capsules per meal the bottle provides 60 servings. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
Who should not take betaine HCl?
The label states that it must not be taken by anyone with stomach or duodenal ulcers. It is for adults only. Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding, takes medication, or has a medical condition, especially acid reflux or an upper gastrointestinal ulcer, should speak to a doctor or pharmacist first. Keep out of reach of children.
Is betaine HCl available in Ireland, and are there customs charges?
Yes. Betaine HCl is sold in Ireland as a food supplement, and the FSAI is the regulator for food supplements. Probiotic.ie dispatches this product from Dublin by next-day DPD, so there are no customs charges or import fees on orders delivered in Ireland. Delivery is free on orders over €75.
Product Details
Brand: NOW Foods · Format: 120 vegetarian capsules · Serving: 2 capsules (1 to 2 at the beginning of each meal) · Capsule: hypromellose (cellulose) · Manufacturer item: 2938 · Made in the USA · Probiotic.ie is an authorised Irish retailer of NOW Foods.
Advisory Information (Ireland)
- Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
- Do not exceed the recommended daily dose.
- For adults aged 18 and over. Keep out of reach of young children.
- Do not take if you have stomach or duodenal ulcers.
- Consult your doctor or pharmacist before use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition.
- Do not use if the safety seal is broken or missing. Store in a cool, dry place.
- Natural colour variation may occur in this product.
- This product is a food supplement, not a medicine. Food supplements in Ireland are regulated by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). Medicines are regulated by the HPRA.