Betaine is a nutrient that you may find in food, as a supplement or as a prescription medication. You may take over-the-counter versions of betaine hydrochloride to supplement your diet and to help make your cardiovascular system healthier. Your doctor may also prescribe betaine it to help fight a condition known as homocystinuria that prevents your bodily systems from effectively breaking down and using proteins, MedlinePlus reports. As with all supplements, you should consult your physician about any potential negative implications of taking betaine HCL before you start using it.
High Cholesterol
Taking betaine HCL can cause your body to experience an increase in your overall cholesterol levels if you suffer from certain conditions, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. If you have any form of kidney disease, the introduction of betaine into your system can cause cholesterol levels to increase, particularly if you take it with vitamin B6 and folic acid. Betaine HCL also can raise your cholesterol levels if you suffer from obesity. High cholesterol levels can cause blockages to form in your blood vessels, which can lead to strokes and heart attacks, as well as high blood pressure or hypertension.
Bad Taste
Betaine HCL can make you experience a bad taste, especially during the early days of your use of it. As the supplement interacts with your body, it can cause this unpleasant taste to manifest. Drugs.com indicates such an adverse side effect of betaine is non-serious. As your body adjusts to the supplement, the taste should fade and disappear. If it continues and it poses a problem for you, seek your doctor's advice about potential remedies for this unpleasant side effect.
Gastric Problems
When you begin using betaine HCL, you may develop one or more of several potential side effects in your digestive system. You may, for example, have an upset stomach. This may occur as a mild problem, or it may become full-blown nausea. Farther down your digestive tract, you may experience loose stools or diarrhea. This typically occurs because of an imbalance of liquid and solid matter in your intestines. It may cause you to experience cramps in your abdominal region. In most cases, diarrhea and nausea should feel mild, but if they feel severe or do not end as your body adjusts to betaine HCL, query your physician about the problem.
