I'm trying to figure out if I need Betaine Hydrochloride Acid supplement, or a Digestive Enzyme.  How does one know?  I could really use some 101 on this matter.

I'm blood type A which according to Dr. D we are low in acid.  I do know I can't eat red meat, if I do I tend to get halitosis, which I imagine is because the meat isn't getting digested.

I'm also suffering from massive hair loss.  I've discovered my ferritin is low and when tested in Septmember was only 12!  And my TIBC (total iron binding capacity) is high, which means my iron is NOT getting distributed throughout my body correctly.

I started taking an iron supplement (Repliva) prescribed by my Doctor.  I'm also thinking I need either Betaine HCL or a digestive enzyme to make certain my iron is absorbed.

So, my question is, which one -- Betaine HCL or a digestive enzyme.  I'm confused and could really use your wonderful input and knowledge to steer me in the right direction.

Thank you!

Rose

http://www.4yourtype.com/products.asp?dept=12
these sups are designed for your specific physiology

Rose I looked at a previous thread that you  started and found some answers to your questions.


http://www.dadamo.com/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-lr4yt/m-1220899892/s-0/

Hi Rose, remember that betaine HCL and vit C enhance your iron digestion and enzymes could be useful and specific for fat proteines and starches digestion in general.
hope it help!
Maria Giovanna

Rose, great question!!  
One ND put me on Betaine........the gal that did my live blood analysis said I need D/E.   the new guy has me on D/E before and after each meal. Also something for the adrenals with D/E. I'm type O tho, so that leaves us w/ different needs. But I too would like to know what it is that differeniates the need for Betaine versus D/E.  The need for each seems so similar.
Tho IMHO anyone over 30 needs digestive enzymes, especially if they don't eat a lot of fresh fruit and veggies.

haaa.. Italy thanx for returning da ball ... I do have several other O'clients, sechis with the same issues... and all were demanding...häää why me, I thought Dr. D. wrote that we do have too much of HCL in our stomachs...yep of course that might be, but it depends in what kind of situation and what matters you....   ....a question also of neuronal responses....
ahem......Maldo, do you agree now that my Vegatester was right the last time.......peeps again...

Also, you might want to look into P5P which is the active form of vitamin B6.  It helps produce more stomach acid.  For some people, even though they get enough B6 in their diet, they aren't able to convert it to the coenzyme P5P form.

I just ordered FEMBalance from NAP and noticed it contains P5P.

Rose did you get your secretor status checked yet?

Quoted from 1740

I'm also suffering from massive hair loss.  I've discovered my ferritin is low and when tested in Septmember was only 12!  
Rose

Rose I was thinking of you when I was watching Oprah and they had a woman with your same symptoms. Massive hair loss suddenly and would just fall out by the handfuls. Turns out she had a pituitary tumor that they believe is the cause of the hair loss. Have you had your pituitary gland check also?

Oh boy! That's all I need to worry about on top of my hair loss is a pituary tumor!!!

How does a doctor even check for that?  Is it through a blood test?  X-Ray?

Quoted from 1740

Oh boy! That's all I need to worry about on top of my hair loss is a pituary tumor!!!

How does a doctor even check for that?  Is it through a blood test?  X-Ray?

Rose, I found this online...http://www.cots-tri.co.uk/hairlosswomen.html

I wanted you to see the supplements that were recommended to raise ferritin levels.

Low Iron (Ferritin) and Female Hair Loss
The most common cause of hair loss in women, without doubt is low Iron stores. A large majority of the women who consult a Trichologist have sub optimum Iron stores for good hair growth. A study conducted on 1000 women revealed 33% suffered hair loss, 90% of these women suffered low Iron stores and 10% were caused by Genetic or other factors.

GP's are often unaware of exactly which blood tests to carry out, most opting for the Full Blood Count and Haemoglobin tests for Anaemia. However, the most important blood test for female hair loss is the Serum Ferritin, a test for iron stores. Research has not established a link between low Haemoglobin and hair loss as they have with low Serum Ferritin. Serum Ferritin levels can be raised most successfully with a combined therapy of Ferrous Glycine Sulphate, Vitamin C, L-Lysine and Vitamin B12. Once the Serum Ferritin reaches a certain trigger level, hair loss should decrease and hair growth slowly increase.

Quoted from 1740

Oh boy! That's all I need to worry about on top of my hair loss is a pituary tumor!!!

How does a doctor even check for that?  Is it through a blood test?  X-Ray?

Not sure, I think they found it through a blood test and then she was going to have an MRI done.

http://www.dadamo.com/forum/archive7/config.pl?read=28358
an interesting old thread dealing with PH

Quoted from italybound

Rose, great question!!  
One ND put me on Betaine........the gal that did my live blood analysis said I need D/E.   the new guy has me on D/E before and after each meal. Also something for the adrenals with D/E. I'm type O tho, so that leaves us w/ different needs. But I too would like to know what it is that differeniates the need for Betaine versus D/E.  The need for each seems so similar.
Tho IMHO anyone over 30 needs digestive enzymes, especially if they don't eat a lot of fresh fruit and veggies.

Hi,
I am also confused on this issue.  I'm going to start Betaine again w/ D/E @ the end of my meals to see if this helps.  I have eliminated a few foods that were causing stomach pain, but still need something more.  I think because when I took them in the past, I still was eating offending foods & thought that the Betaine/D/E was causing the pain.

Most of the digestive enzyme supplements have HCL... so there ya go!

Quoted from Eric

Most of the digestive enzyme supplements have HCL... so there ya go!

this might depend on what kind of D/E one is taking. I take plant based enzymes, no HCL.

Rose, I have been reading a book called Living well with Hypothyroidism by Mary Shomon. Hair loss is one of the symptoms they take about a fair amount. The other thing they talk about alot is, getting the right blood tests done. If this gal has it right, most MDs and even a lot of NDs don't have a clue. I'm excited to be learning so much from this book. It really explains why I've been getting worse over the years. Many many things factor in. More than I ever realized. It might be worth a read.
I am also reading a book about Iodine. I'm at a loss right now as to whether it mentions hair loss or not, yet. It is chock full of good info tho. If you're interested (or anyone else) in looking at the book, I'll post the info. Most iodine we consume is organic, and according to the book we need inorganic nonradioactive. Which poses another question for me..................does sea salt contain iodine? Natural iodine, not the organic iodine that they add to Morton salt. I always thought all sea salt, Himalayan salt, etc contained iodine, but now I'm wondering. Anyone know? Should I start a new thread? Maybe I will...............

Italybound, I have Hashimoto's autoimmune thyroid disease.  I have been on thyroid medications for 10 years, and I got worse and worse on them.  In doing research, I've found that many underlying problems (Candida, adrenal fatigue, and mercury poisoning, among other things) can cause low thyroid levels, yet if the other issues are not addressed, medications can often make a person worse.  Treating the symptoms (low thyroid) by taking thyroid supplements isn't always the answer.

As for hair loss, I have lost even more hair since being on thyroid meds.  My hair, which was once thick and healthy, is now thin and straw-like (only with curls).  I've learned the hard way that most doctors don't know enough (or perhaps don't care enough?) to help me.  

In addition to being on an anti-Candida diet, discovering lots of food allergies on my own, mostly following the BTD, and eliminating the foods in the nightshade family, which I discovered were indeed contributing to my inflammation, I am taking probiotics.  I want to add other supplements, but because of my many allergies and sensitivities, I haven't yet been able to do so.  (I even react to flax seed oil and coconut oil.)  

I have started decreasing my thyroid medications on my own (the strength of the meds increased over the years), and I seem to be doing better.  I don't know if it's because the medications are putting too much stress on my already overstressed adrenals like I've read is possible or if it's because of all the excipients in the meds or what, but I do think it's necessary for me to come off these meds and to try to treat my body in a more natural way.

knowing your secretor status will help you fine tune your food choices.

Quoted from Lola

knowing your secretor status will help you fine tune your food choices.

This is on my wish list, and hopefully I can do it soon.  Unfortunately, though, allergies are a big issue for me.  I'm allergic (or at the very least, sensitive) to foods that are typically okay, and sometimes even beneficial, for both O secretors and nonsecretors.

you might be able to tolerate certain foods down the line, like many of us.

Thanks.  That's what I'm hoping.

Judy NAP makes really good supplements that are free of allergens, and blood type specific.
I know that if you call them they will help you with whatever your needs are. They have lots of knowledge that they love to share.
Link is at the top of the page  just click on "STORE".

Probiotics are blood type specific so O's have certain needs and A's have other needs for intestinal health.
We are all not the same inside, in our gut.

Thanks, Andrea.  I'd really like to try some of the NAP products, but I wish they didn't contain excipients.  With all of my issues I have right now, I don't want to add anything unnecessary to my body.  

Quoted from Judy

... and eliminating the foods in the nightshade family, which I discovered were indeed contributing to my inflammation,......  (I even react to flax seed oil and coconut oil.)  
I have started decreasing my thyroid medications on my own (the strength of the meds increased over the years), and I seem to be doing better.  I don't know if it's because the medications are putting too much stress on my already overstressed adrenals .

wow, nightshades causing inflammation huh? actually I think if I were to go to GTD or one of the Health Series books, most of the nightshades would go to black dots or infrequent neutrals, at least, so that kind of makes sense
my thyroid med is .088 mg per day.  and yes, I read in the thyroid book that people w/ thyroid issues, should not be taking thyroid med, but addressing the adrenals. My adrenals were almost in the failure stage. I'm guessing at this point, they're not much better. I make sure I sleep until 8AM every day, well, except on days where I cant sleep for some reason, like today.     I have a LONG way to go, but I'm doing lots of reading and I think eventually, I'll find someone who can and will help me. Thought I'd found that someone a few months ago, but sadly no.              Hope you find some relief soon. If you're interested, I'll post the info on the book about iodine. I think it really factors in to my issues and from the sound of it, many other issues.

Quoted from Judy

Thanks, Andrea.  I'd really like to try some of the NAP products, but I wish they didn't contain excipients.  With all of my issues I have right now, I don't want to add anything unnecessary to my body.  

Why not call NAP and ask them which excipients they contain, for your type?
If you know Dr. D, you know that he would never put something in the ingreidents that would be harmful. He is incontrol of what goes into the supplements, and is really careful.



I think you said you are taking a probiotic, is it Blood Type Specific?