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Digestion and Absorption

 

Betaine Challenge

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You could have the healthiest diet in the world, but if you aren't able to digest and absorb the healthy foods you eat adequately, then you won't get the full benefits from your health efforts. Fully digesting food particles to their smallest forms make them less likely to cause immune reactions and more likely to be used as nutrition at the cellular level. Digestive enzymes at meals can help to provide enough betaine HCL and pancreatic enzymes to accomplish complete digestion of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. For people who have inadequate enzyme production - pharmaceutical-grade enzymes can be a game changer!

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To find your ideal dose of betaine HCL digestive enzymes, try the following.

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Betaine HCL (Digestive Enzyme) Challenge

  1. Day 1: Take 1 capsule at the beginning of a large meal.

  2. Day 2: Take 2 capsules at the beginning of a large meal.

  3. Day 3: Take 3 capsules at the beginning of a large meal.

  4. Continue until reaching a maximum of 6 pills per meal.

Stop when

  • You get burning, reflux, or warmth in your stomach, chest or throat. This is harmless, but a signal that you've exceeded your need for betaine support.

  • Record the number of pills that caused this reaction and let Dr. Kate know this number at your next follow up.

  • Until that follow up, resume taking 1 cap per meal as long as that dose did not cause reflux.

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Adjusting

  1. You’ll need less betaine HCL with smaller meals. Adjust accordingly.

 

Disclaimer

  1. We talked about this in office, but don’t attempt this challenge if you currently have or have ever had gastric ulcers. Keep me posted throughout and let me know if you have questions.

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If you're taking enzymes at every meal, then pick only one meal a day to do this challenge. For example, if you're supposed to do 1 enzyme with each meal + the betaine challenge and you choose to do the challenge at lunch, your plan will look like this

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Breakfast: 1 capsule

Lunch: 1-6 capsules or more depending on the day of challenge you're on.

Dinner: 1 capsule

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If you have questions, call Rose at the front desk or schedule a 15 minute quick question consult with Dr. Kate so we can keep you moving forward.

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