PlainVitamins

HCL Guard

by Healthy Gut · capsule · 120 capsules

  • On the market (NIH)
  • UPC 8 60007 20581 1
  • DSLD label 308948
  • Serving 2 capsules
  • 60 servings

HCL Guard by Healthy Gut lists 5 ingredients, 5 with an amount per serving of 2 capsules, such as 1.1 g of betaine hydrochloride, 200 mg of ginger, 100 mg of deglycyrrhizinated licorice root extract and 60 mg of pepsin. Its current label entered the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database on June 20, 2024.

What is in HCL Guard?

Each row as the label prints it, per serving of 2 capsules. The capsule beside an amount places it among every product in the NIH database that lists the same ingredient: the bar is the middle half of their amounts, the line in it the median, the whiskers the 10th and 90th percentiles; the green tick is the FDA Daily Value and the red dashed tick the adult upper limit (IOM).

HCL Guard: Supplement Facts rows against the market (DSLD label 308948, January 2026 release)
IngredientAmount% DVAmong products listing it
Betaine Hydrochloride1.1 gBetaine Hydrochloride in HCL Guard against 914 products1,100 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 25 mg to 178 mg, the median 50 mg.1,100 mg

Higher than 98% of 914 products listing betaine hydrochloride (median 50 mg).

Gingerorganic200 mgGinger in HCL Guard against 1,770 products200 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 25 mg to 150 mg, the median 60 mg.200 mg

Higher than 77% of 1,770 products listing ginger (median 60 mg).

Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice Root Extract100 mgLicorice in HCL Guard against 888 products100 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 42 mg to 300 mg, the median 100 mg.100 mg

42% of 888 products listing licorice give more (median 100 mg).

Pepsinas Porcine3000:160 mgPepsin in HCL Guard against 223 products60 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 25 mg to 130 mg, the median 50 mg.60 mg

Higher than 53% of 223 products listing pepsin (median 50 mg).

Intrinsic Factor30 mg

Source: NIH ODS Dietary Supplement Label Database, label 308948 (entered June 20, 2024), version 9.4.0. See the label on DSLD or its label image (PDF). Amounts are what the maker printed; DSLD does not test products. Daily Values: the FDA's Daily Value page.

Is that a lot?

The rows in the top or bottom tenth of the products that list the same ingredient, and any above the adult upper limit at the most servings a day the directions give:

  • Its 1,100 mg of betaine hydrochloride is higher than 98% of the 914 betaine hydrochloride products that print an amount; 14 list more.

The NIH database records one serving a day from the label's directions; its % Daily Values are for adults and children 4 or more years of age. The directions as printed are further down this page.

The Tolerable Upper Intake Level is the most of a nutrient per day, from food, water and supplements together, that is likely to pose no risk for almost all adults (Institute of Medicine, 2011). It does not apply under medical supervision. This page compares labels; it is not medical advice.

Sources: amounts from the DSLD label; Daily Values from 21 CFR 101.9(c)(8)(iv); adult upper limits from the Institute of Medicine's DRI summary tables (2011). How positions are computed.

Which products have the closest formulas?

The products whose ingredient lists overlap most with HCL Guard's, rare ingredients counting for more.

Source: ingredient lists of every product's current label in DSLD (version 9.4.0); similarity weights each shared ingredient by how rare it is.

What does the label say about taking it?

Quoted from the label as DSLD transcribed it: the maker's words, including any claim about what the product does, which the FDA has not evaluated and PlainVitamins does not endorse.

Directions
Suggested use: Take 2 capsules with each meal or as recommended by your health practitioner.
Warnings
Caution: If concerned, speak with your healthcare provider before using, especially if you take medications, are pregnant, or are nursing.
Allergy warning: This product contains ingredients derived from porcine (pork) and beef source.
Allergens and what it does not contain
No added: Milk, casein, eggs, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat, gluten, tree nuts, peanuts, yeast, or rice. Free of artificial colors or flavors and stearates.
Gluten free Non GMO
Storage
Storage: Keep tightly closed in a cool, dry place in the original container. Do not expose to excessive heat.

Source: label statements in DSLD label 308948.

What else is on the label?

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Microcrystalline Cellulose.

Seals and symbols as the label prints them (the maker's; a certifier's own list confirms a seal): GMP Good Manufacturing Practice.

How many labels does HCL Guard have?

One label is on file, entered on June 20, 2024.

  1. Label 308948 (current) Entered June 20, 2024 · on the market · 120 capsules · UPC 8 60007 20581 1

Source: DSLD label entry and market events, version 9.4.0 (labels entered through September 25, 2025).

Who makes it?

The label names Healthy Gut, LLC (distributor), Boulder, CO. All Healthy Gut products.

Where next?