Betaine HCL & TMG (Why Eat Green Stuff)
This is why you should eat beets, broccoli, grains, shellfish, and spinach. It has Betaine (anhydrous) Trimethylglycine (TMG)
In the body, betaine acts as a methyl donor for the conversion of homocysteine to methionine and it also functions as an osmolyte. Betaine also helps with hepatic function and carnitine production.
Anhydrous betaine has different pharmacological activity than betaine hydrochloride (HCL). Betaine HCL is a synthetic digestive aid use to help digest proteins from food. Supplemental anhydrous betaine is derived from sugar beets (Beta vulgaris).
Plasma betaine levels correlate with serum folate, plasma S- adenosyl-methionine and S-adenosyl-homocysteine, and is is involved in the methylation reaction that regulates homocysteine levels in the body (Schwahn et al, 2003). However, a review of the literature from 1990 to 2009 reported that long-term intake of high amounts of betaine and choline in the diet are associated with increasing lipid levels and increasing inflammatory mediators, including C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6 and TNF- alpha (Rajale et al. 2011).
Betaine is reported to increase generation of hepatic S0- adenosylmethionine and protect the liver from ethanol-induced fatty infiltration, improve nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatic insulin resistance (Barak et al, 1996).
Other Uses: Betaine may also decrease beta-amyloid accumulation in Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive disorder (Chai et la, 2013; Miller, 2003).
- Dosage: 6 gm daily in divided dosages.
- Symptoms of Deficiency: Low levels of betaine are associated with increased levels of homocysteine (inflammatory markers).
Side Effects and Warnings: Betaine is reported safe in recommended dosages.
Food Sources: Food sources of betaine include beets, broccoli, grains, shellfish, and spinach.
