Wizard of Vitamins

Betaine (Trimethylglycine) Vitamin

What is Betaine (Trimethylglycine)?

Betaine (trimethylglycine) functions very closely with choline, folic acid, vitamin B12, and a form of the amino acid methionine known as S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe). All of these compounds function as “methyl donors.” They carry and donate methyl molecules to facilitate necessary chemical processes. The donation of methyl groups by betaine is very important to proper liver function, cellular replication, and detoxification reactions. Betaine also plays a role in the manufacture of carnitine and serves to protect the kidneys from damage. Betaine is closely related to choline. The difference is that choline (tetramethylglycine) has four methyl groups attached to it. When choline donates one of these groups to another molecule, it becomes betaine (trimethylglycine). If betaine donates one of its methyl groups, then it becomes dimethylglycine.

Betaine (Trimethylglycine) in Diets

Dietary sources of betaine include fish, beets, and legumes. Betaine is most widely available as betaine hydrochloride (betaine-HCl), but that form is used primarily as a source of hydrochloric acid for people with hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid). The forms used specifically to provide betaine are betaine citrate and betaine aspartate. These forms have also been used to improve liver function.

Betaine (Trimethylglycine) Medicinal Treatments

Alcohol-induced fatty liver Hepatitis (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis) Homocysteine (high) Atherosclerosis

Known Consequences of Betaine (Trimethylglycine) Deficiency

Betaine is not an essential nutrient, and thus no deficiency state exists.

Betaine (Trimethylglycine) Recommended Dosages

For people with alcohol-induced fatty liver, the recommended amount for betaine citrate or betaine aspartate supplementation is 1,000 to 2,000 mg three times daily. Lower amounts are often used as nutritional support for general liver health, although use of betaine in this manner has not undergone clinical research.

Betaine (Trimethylglycine) Side Effects

No side effects with betaine at recommended levels have been noted. At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with betaine.