Show Notes
If you are new to this site, you should first read my How I Cured My Silent Reflux article as it explains the underlying root causes of acid reflux, its corresponding treatments, and provides the necessary context to follow some of the concepts in this episode.
Episode Transcript
(Note this is not a word-for-word transcription - it's loosely paraphrased. Alternatively, feel free to watch on YouTube).
The very first question people have when they start to deeply understand the root causes of acid reflux is “do I have low stomach acid?” And one of the ways that you can test that is with the Betaine HCl challenge.
It’s actually relatively simple. You typically want to start the challenge with a meal that has 500 calories or more and something like 20 to 25 grams of protein. And you simply begin to consume the meal and then in the middle of it you take the single 650 milligram capsule of a Betaine HCl.
Then just continue the rest of your meal. From there, you’re just observing how your body reacts. If you notice nothing at all, that is a VERY strong indication that you’ve got low stomach acid.
If you notice any sort of escalation of your typical symptoms, things like heartburn, gas, gloating, diarrhea, or upset stomach, it’s POSSIBLE that you’re not low on stomach acid but it’s ALSO possible that you’re seeing one of a number of false negatives. If this is the case, I would definitely recommend you check out my Betaine HCl playlist where you can learn how to take the supplement appropriately.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult your physician for personalized care.
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Don Daniels
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