Used as a digestive aid, the hydrochloride is particularly helpful for persons with insufficient acid production in the stomach. If it were not for his work, homocysteine would not have been thought harmful and so supplements to lower homocysteine would not have been thought necessary.īetaine hydrochloride ('betaine HCl') is the chloride salt of TMG. McCully, MD, theorised that cholesterol and clogged arteries were symptoms rather than causes of heart disease and proposed homocysteine as a more likely culprit. Trimethylglycine is used to treat high homocysteine levels. Finally, it serves as a methyl donor in the betaine homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) reaction which converts homocysteine to methionine. Secondly, it also acts like a chaperone to stabilise protein structure under denaturing conditions. It is an organic osmolyte that accumulates in renal medullary cells and some other tissues to balance extracellular hypertonicity. In a subsequent step, betaine aldehyde is further oxidised in the mitochondria or cytoplasm to betaine by betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.8).īetaine has three known functions in mammals. Choline is first oxidised to betaine aldehyde, a reaction catalysed by the mitochondrial choline oxidase (choline dehydrogenase, EC 1.1.99.1). The conversion of choline to betaine is a two-step enzymic process, which occurs in the liver and kidney. Alternatively, betaine is formed from choline. Thus, the intake depends on food composition but is probably also related to production of the food items, including growing and osmotic conditions. Estimates of betaine intake are from 0.1 to 1 g/day and as high as 2.5 g/day for a diet high in whole wheat and seafood. Food items with the highest content of betaine are wheat, spinach, shellfish, and sugar beets. Alkylated derivates of trimethylglycine have use as quaternary ammonium zwitterionic surfactants.īetaine is obtained by humans from foods, either as betaine or choline-containing compounds. Transfer of a methyl group from TMG give dimethylglycine. TMG is related to choline (trimethylaminoethanol) has been reduced from a terminal carboxylic acid to a hydroxyl group. Glycine betaine is a byproduct of the sugar industry. Betaine hydrochloride is merely glycine betaine with a chloride counterion and is usually the first crystallised form obtained after extraction from beets.

This substance is often called ‘‘glycine betaine’’ to distinguish it from other betaines that are widely distributed in biology. This small N-trimethylated amino acid exists as the zwitterion (CH 3) 3N +CH 2CO 2 - at neutral pH. Trimethylglycine was originally named betaine after its discovery in sugar beets ( Beta vulgaris) in the 19th century. Trimethylglycine (also commonly known as TMG, is an organic compound described by the formula (CH 3) 3N +CH 2CO 2H. For a supplement, little scientific support., betaine, TMG, glycine betaine, betaine anhydrous, N,N,N-trimethylglycineĮxcept where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 ☌, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.ģ Stars Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.Ģ Stars Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.ġ Star For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.įor over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition.

Difference between tmg and dmg