Monograph

Support a healthy liver and strong heart by reducing elevated homocysteine levels. Trimethylglycine (TMG) diminishes hazardous homocysteine levels by converting homocysteine into methionine, which is an essential amino acid for healthy hair, skin, and nails. TMG is a favorable aid to decrease homocysteine production and encourage healthy liver and heart function.
 

Description

Trimethylglycine (TMG), more commonly known as Betaine, is naturally produced in the body. Betaine is a metabolite of choline that converts homocysteine (a heart damaging amino acid) into L-methionine (an essential amino acid). NUTRAscriptivesâ TMG is produced in the United States to offer the finest-quality supplementation for cardiovascular health.

Research

Liver Health

Alcoholic liver ailments can be caused by ethanol's impairment on the metabolic process of methionine, including a reduction in SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) and an increase in dangerous homocysteine levels. This metabolic dysfunction leads to excessive fat accumulation in the liver.

Studies have shown betaine may be an effective aid for liver health, as it reduces homocysteine levels and restores SAMe production.[1] Betaine increased SAMe (a L-methionine metabolite) levels in rats with fatty livers. The increase of SAMe decreased fat accumulation in the liver and aided the production of glutathione, a strong antioxidant that prevents free radical damage.[2]

Cardiovascular Function

Elevated homocysteine levels can lead to impaired endothelial function and an increase in oxidative stress in the heart, which raises the risk of cardiovascular ailments. Studies indicate betaine is effective in lowering homocysteine levels.[3]

Betaine can lower homocysteine levels up to 20% in healthy subjects.[4] In addition, it is beneficial to individuals with abnormal homocysteine metabolism.4 Betaine significantly reduced homocysteine levels in rats with a betaine deficiency.[5] In addition, betaine was administered to mice for one year finding the nutrient reduced homocysteine levels and increased apolipoprotein A-I (beneficial cholesterol transporter).[6]

Betaine supplementation (500 mg) was administered to healthy male subjects (19-40 years old) finding homocysteine levels were reduced 4 to 6 hours after intake. Researchers concluded betaine's ability to augment L-methionine production decreased homocysteine concentrations.[7] A similar study found homocysteine levels decreased in healthy volunteers with normal body weight after a single-dose of betaine (3 or 6 g) was administered two hours prior to evaluation.[8]

A twelve-week study recruited 42 obese subjects to take betaine (6 g/day), while the effects on homocysteine levels and body composition were evaluated. Results indicated betaine supplementation decreased homocysteine levels, but had no effects on fat mass.[9]

Additional Information – Dosage & Interactions

Suggested Use

As a dietary supplement, take one capsule daily, or as directed by a physician.

Dosage

Up to 1,000 mg per day for general health maintenance; Digestive Aid – 500 mg following a meal (typically taken with pepsin)

Precautions

The maximum safe dosage of this supplement has not been determined for children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease. As with all supplement regimens, please consult your physician prior to use.

Pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid taking TMG. Individuals with gastrisis, peptic ulcer disease, or gastroesophageal reflux disease should avoid taking TMG.

Drug Interactions

There are no known interactions with proper supplementation.

References

*Statements made herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

[1] Kharbanda, KK. Role of transmethylation reactions in alcoholic liver disease. World J Gastroenterol. 2007 Oct; 13(37):4947-4954.

[2] Barak, AJ, Beckenhauer, HC, Tuma, DJ. S-adenosylmethionine generation and prevention of alcoholic fatty liver by betaine. Alcohol. 1994; 11:501-503.

[3] Guthikonda, S, Haynes, WG. Homocysteine: role and implications in atherosclerosis. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2006 Mar; 8(2):100-106.

[4] Olthof, MR, Verhoef, P. Effects of betaine intake on plasma homocysteine concentrations and consequences for health. Curr Drug Metab. 2005 Feb; 6(1):15-22.

[5] Setoue, M, Ohuchi, S, Morita, T, Sugiyama, K. Hyperhomocysteinemia induced by guanidinoacetic acid is effectively suppressed by choline and betaine in rats. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2008 Jul; 72(7):1696-1703.

[6] Schwahn, BC, Wang, XL, Mikael, LG, et al. Betaine supplementation improves the atherogenic risk factor profile in a transgenic mouse model of hyperhomocysteinemia. Atherosclerosis. 2007 Dec; 195(2):e100-107.

[7] Atkinson, W, Elmslie, J, Lever, M, et al. Dietary and supplementary betaine: acute effects on plasma betaine and homocysteine concentrations under standard and postmethionine load conditions in healthy male subjects. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 Mar; 87(3):577-585.

[8] Schwab, U, Torronen, A, et al. Orally administered betaine has an acute and dose-dependent effect on serum betaine and plasma homocysteine concentrations in healthy humans. J Nutr. 2006 Jan; 136(1):34-38.

[9] Schwab, U, Torronen, A, et al. Betaine supplementation decreases plasma homocysteine concentrations but does not affect body weight, body composition, or resting energy expenditure in human subjects. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002 Nov; 76(5):961-967.