What does it do? Betaine
(trimethylglycine) functions very
closely with choline, folic acid, vitamin B12, and a form of the amino
acid methionine known as SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine).1 2
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.3
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 has been reported to play a role in reducing
blood levels of homocysteine, a toxic breakdown product of amino-acid
metabolism that is believed to promote atherosclerosis and
osteoporosis.
While
the main nutrients involved in controlling homocysteine levels are
folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12, betaine has been reported to
be helpful
in some people whose elevated homocysteine levels did not improve with
these other nutrients.
Betaine has also been shown to be helpful in certain rare genetic
disorders involving cysteine metabolism.4 5
6 7 8 However, in normal situations or
with supplementation of the
other methyl donors, betaine is not likely to produce any lowering
effect on homocysteine
levels.9 10 Its primary use as a nutritional
supplement is in supporting
proper liver function.
Betaine is often referred to as a “lipotropic factor”
because of its ability to
help the liver process fats (lipids). In animal studies, betaine
supplementation has been
shown to protect against chemical damage to the liver.11 12
13 14 The first stage of liver damage that results
from drinking alcohol is the accumulation of fat in the liver
(alcohol-induced fatty liver disease). Betaine, because of its
lipotropic effects, has been
shown to produce significant improvements in this condition in several
human clinical
studies.15 16 Betaine has been studied in
clinical trials conducted in
Germany, Italy, and France in the treatment of alcohol-related liver
disease.17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24
Some success was noted in these
studies, but the popularity of betaine for alcohol-related liver
disease has been supplanted
by SAMe and milk thistle extract. However, it has recently been
suggested that betaine may be a more cost-effective method as a
first-step therapy for
alcohol-induced fatty liver disease.25
Betaine is also showing promise as a toothpaste
ingredient, as it has been shown to produce
significant relief of dry mouth.26
1. Selhub J. Homocysteine
metabolism. Annu Rev Nutr 1999;19:217–46 [review].
2. Barak AJ, Tuma DJ. Betaine,
metabolic by-product or vital methylating agent? Life Sci
1983;32:771–4 [review].
3. Chambers ST. Betaines: their
significance for bacteria and the renal tract. Clin Sci
1995;88:25–7 [review].
4. Selhub J. Homocysteine
metabolism. Annu Rev Nutr 1999;19:217–46 [review].
5. Wendel U, Bremer HJ. Betaine
in the treatment of homocystinuria due to
5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency. Eur J Pediatr
1984;142:147–50.
6. Wilcken DE, Wilcken B,
Dudman NP, Tyrrell PA. Homocystinuria—the effects of betaine in the
treatment of patients not responsive to pyridoxine. N Engl J Med
1983;309:448–53.
7. Gahl WA, Bernardini I, Chen
S, et al. The effect of oral betaine on vertebral body bone density in
pyridoxine-non-responsive homocystinuria. J Inherit Metab Dis
1988;11:291–8.
8. Barak AJ, Beckenhauer HC,
Tuma DJ. Betaine, ethanol, and the liver: a review. Alcohol
1996;13:395–8 [review].
9. Selhub J. Homocysteine
metabolism. Annu Rev Nutr 1999;19:217–46 [review].
10. van Guldener C, Janssen MJ,
de Meer K, et al. Effect of folic acid and betaine on fasting and
postmethionine-loading plasma homocysteine and methionine levels in
chronic haemodialysis patients. J Intern Med 1999;245:175–83.
11. Junnila M, Barak AJ,
Beckenhauer HC, Rahko T. Betaine reduces hepatic lipidosis induced by
carbon tetrachloride in Sprague-Dawley rats. Vet Hum Toxicol
1998;40:263–6.
12. Kim SK, Kim YC, Kim YC.
Effects of singly administered betaine on hepatotoxicity of chloroform
in mice. Food Chem Toxicol 1998;36:655–61.
13. Barak AJ, Beckenhauer HC,
Matti J, Tuma DJ. Dietary betaine promotes generation of hepatic
S-adenosylmethioine and protects the liver from ethanol-induced fatty
infiltration. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 1993;17:552–5.
14. Murakami T, Nagamura Y,
Hirano K. The recovering effect of betaine on carbon
tetrachloride-induced liver injury. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol
1998;44:249–55.
15. Barak AJ, Beckenhauer HC,
Tuma DJ. Betaine, ethanol, and the liver: a review. Alcohol
1996;13:395–8 [review].
16. Barak AJ, Beckenhauer HC,
Badakhsh S, Tuma DJ. The effect of betaine in reversing alcoholic
steatosis. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 1997;21:1100–2.
17. Semmler F. Treatment of
liver diseases, especially of fatty liver with betaine citrate. Ther
Ggw 1977;116:2113–24 [in German].
18. Kandziora J. Therapeutic
experience with the lipotropic hepatic drug Flacar in the internal
medicine practice. ZFA 1976;52:1561–3 [in German].
19. Babucke G, Sarre B.
Clinical experience with betain citrate. Med Klin
1973;68:1109–13 [in German].
20. Hilt G, Tuzin P. Clinical
results using betaine citrate (Flacar) in fatty livers. Med
Monatsschr 1973;27:322–5 [in German].
21. Hilt G, Tuzin P. Clinical
results using betaine citrate (Flacar) in fatty livers. Med
Monatsschr 1973;27:322–5 [in German].
22. Nicrosini F. Therapeutic
activity of betaine aspartate. Clin Ter 1972;15;61:227–36 [in
Italian].
23. Cairella M, Volpari B.
Betaine aspartate in the therapy of liver diseases. Clin Ter
1972;60:513–34 [in Italian].
24. Cachin M, Pergola F.
Betaine aspartate in the hepato-digestive domain. Sem Ther
1966;42:423–4 [in French].
25. Barak AJ, Beckenhauer HC,
Tuma DJ. Betaine, ethanol, and the liver: a review. Alcohol
1996;13:395–8 [review].
26. Soderling E, Le Bell A,
Kirstila V, Tenovuo J. Betaine-containing toothpaste relieves
subjective symptoms of dry mouth. Acta Odontol Scand
1998;56:65–9.
Reliable
and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health
benefit.