BETAINE

CAS NUMBER: 107-43-7

MOLECULAR FORMULA: C5H11NO2

MOLECULAR WEIGHT: 117.15

Betaine is a modified amino acid consisting of glycine with three methyl groups that serves as a methyl donor in several metabolic pathways and is used to treat the rare genetic causes of homocystinuria. 
Betaine has had only limited clinical use, but has not been linked to instances of serum enzyme elevations during therapy or to clinically apparent liver injury.
Betaine in chemistry is any neutral chemical compound with a positively charged cationic functional group, such as a quaternary ammonium or phosphonium cation that bears no hydrogen atom and with a negatively charged functional group such as a carboxylate group that may not be adjacent to the cationic site.
Betaine is a modified amino acid consisting of glycine with three methyl groups serving as methyl donor for various metabolic pathways.
Historically, the term was reserved for Betaine which is involved in methylation reactions and detoxification of homocysteine.
The pronunciation of the compound reflects its origin and first isolation from sugar beets, and does not derive from the Greek letter beta (β). 

Betaine is commonly pronounced beta-INE or BEE-tayn.
In biological systems, many naturally occurring betaines serve as organic osmolytes. 
These are substances synthesized or taken up from the environment by cells for protection against osmotic stress, drought, high salinity, or high temperature. 
Intracellular accumulation of betaines permits water retention in cells, thus protecting from the effects of dehydration.
This accumulation is non-perturbing to enzyme function, protein structure, and membrane integrity. 

Betaine is also a methyl donor of increasingly recognised significance in biology.
Betaine is the amino acid betaine derived from glycine. 
Betaine has a role as a fundamental metabolite. 
Betaine is an amino-acid betaine and a glycine derivative. 

Betaine is a conjugate base of a N,N,N-trimethylglycinium.
The original betaine, N,N,N-trimethylglycine, was named after its discovery in sugar beet in the nineteenth century. 
Betaine is a small N-trimethylated amino acid. 
Betaine is a zwitterion, which cannot isomerize because there is no labile hydrogen atom attached to the nitrogen atom. 

Betaine may be called glycine betaine to distinguish it from other betaines.
Betaine also called betaine anhydrous, or trimethylglycine (TMG) is a substance that's made in the body. 
Betaine's involved in liver function, cellular reproduction, and helping make carnitine. 

Betaine also helps the body metabolize an amino acid called homocysteine. 
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved betaine to treat a genetic condition where too much homocysteine builds up in the body.
Betaine is used to treat homocystinuria (an inherited condition in which the body cannot break down a certain protein, causing build-up of homocysteine in the blood). 
Increased amounts of homocysteine in the body can cause symptoms such as extreme tiredness, seizures, dislocation of the lens of the eye, abnormal bone structure, osteoporosis (weak bones), blood clots, or decreased weight or rate of weight gain and slowed development in children. 
Betaine is in a class of medications called nutrients. 

Betaine works by decreasing the amount of homocysteine in the blood.
Betaine is a chemical compound produced in laboratories. 
Betaine is believed to increase stomach acid.
In the past, Betaine could be found in over-the-counter (OTC) digestive aids as a source of hydrochloric acid, a key component of stomach juices that some people are low on.
However, in the late 1980s, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned betaine hydrochloride from use in OTC products because there was not sufficient evidence for Betaine to be considered “generally recognized as safe and effective.”

Although you can still find betaine HCL in the form of a dietary supplement, few studies have been done to elucidate what effects it may have.
Betaine comes as a powder to be mixed with food or drink and taken by mouth. 
Betaine is usually taken twice a day. 
Take betaine at around the same times every day. 
Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. 
Take betaine exactly as directed. 
Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of betaine and gradually increase your dose based on your body's response to the medication.
Your doctor may tell you to take other medications such as vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin B12 (cobalamin), and folic acid together with betaine.

Betaine controls homocystinuria but does not cure it.
Continue to take betaine even if you feel well. 
Do not stop taking betaine without talking to your doctor.
Betaine is a Methylating Agent. 
The mechanism of action of betaine is as a Methylating Activity.

Betaine is a chemical that occurs naturally in the body. 
Betaine can also be found in foods such as beets, spinach, cereals, seafood, and wine.
Betaine is approved by the U.S. 
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of high urine levels of a chemical called homocysteine (homocystinuria) in people with certain inherited disorders. 
High homocysteine levels are associated with heart disease, weak bones (osteoporosis), skeletal problems, and eye lens problems.
Betaine supplements are most commonly used for reducing blood homocysteine levels and trying to improve athletic performance.

Betaine (sometimes also referred to as trimethylglycine or “TMG”) is a compound derived from the amino acid choline and is naturally occurring in plant species (especially sugar beets).
In recent years, betaine anhydrous has garnered a healthy amount of praise in sports supplementation, specifically as a pre-workout augmenter and potent performance enhancer.
Betaine is an amino acid whose importance has been discovered in the world of athletes in the last few years, but has been recommended by doctors for a long time because of its positive effects on heart health.
Betaine is a very popular supplement not only among bodybuilders but also among athletes from different branches, as it has a positive effect on body composition (muscle mass increase) and training performance. 
Studies show that betaine increases muscle mass and increases endurance.

Betaine is a stable and nontoxic natural substance. 
Because Betaine looks like a glycine with three extra methyl groups, betaine is also called trimethylglycine. 
In addition, betaine has a zwitterionic quaternary ammonium form [(CH3)3N+ CH2COO−]. 
In the nineteenth century, betaine was first identified in the plant Beta vulgaris. 
Betaine was then found at high concentrations in several other organisms, including wheat bran, wheat germ, spinach, beets, microorganisms, and aquatic invertebrates. 
Betaine intake plays a decisive role in the betaine content of the body. 

Betaine is safe at a daily intake of 9–15 g for human and distributes primarily to the kidneys, liver, and brain. 
The accurate amount of betaine intake generally relies on its various sources and cooking methods. 
Besides dietary intake, betaine can be synthesized from choline in the body. 
Betaine (CAS: 107-43-7), also known as N,N,N-trimethylglycine, was named after its discovery in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) in the 19th century. 
Betaine is a small N-trimethylated amino acid, existing in zwitterionic form at neutral pH. 

Betaine is now often called glycine betaine to distinguish it from other betaines that are widely distributed in microorganisms, plants, and animals. 
Many naturally occurring betaines serve as organic osmolytes, substances synthesized or taken up from the environment by cells for protection against osmotic stress, drought, high salinity, or high temperature. 
Intracellular accumulation of betaines permits water retention in cells, thus protecting from the effects of dehydration. 
Betaine functions as a methyl donor in that it carries and donates methyl functional groups to facilitate necessary chemical processes. 
In particular, it methylates homocysteine to methionine, also producing N,N-dimethylglycine. 
The donation of methyl groups is 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 comes from either the diet or by the oxidation of choline. 
Betaine insufficiency is associated with metabolic syndrome, lipid disorders, and diabetes, and may have a role in vascular and other diseases (PMID: 20346934 ). 
Betaine is important in development, from the pre-implantation embryo to infancy. Betaine is also widely regarded as an anti-oxidant. 

Betaine has been shown to have an inhibitory effect on NO release in activated microglial cells and may be an effective therapeutic component to control neurological disorders (PMID: 22801281 ). As a drug, betaine hydrochloride has been used as a source of hydrochloric acid in the treatment of hypochlorhydria. Betaine has also been used in the treatment of liver disorders, for hyperkalemia, for homocystinuria, and for gastrointestinal disturbances (Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th Ed, p1341).
Betaine is a zwitterionic quaternary ammonium compound and is mainly present in animals, microorganisms and plants. 
Betaine is one of the main constituent of several food items like wheat, shellfish, spinach and sugar beets. 
Betaine is also termed as trimethylglycine, lycine, glycine betaine and oxyneurine. 

Betaine is a methyl derivative of glycine.
Betaine has a molecular mass of 117.2.
Betaine is a derivative of trimethylglycine and nutritional choline. 
In other words, choline is a "precursor" to betaine and must be present in order for it to be synthesized in the body.
Betaine is a methyl group donor that functions in the normal metabolic cycle of methionine and reduces homocystinuria in patients with inborn errors of methionine metabolism. In the United States, betaine is distributed under the brand name Cystadane by Rare Disease Therapeutics. 
Many reports have shown that betaine's therapeutic effectiveness is limited, and does not lower tHcy levels or prevent clinical symptoms.

Betaine is formed by choline in combination with the amino acid glycine.
Like some B vitamins, including folate and vitamin B12, betaine is considered a "methyl donor." 
This means that Betaine aids liver function, detoxification and cellular function in the body.
Betaines most important role is to help the body process fat.
Probably the most extensively researched benefit of betaine is that it supports the conversion of the amino acid homocysteine ​​in the blood to methionine.
Although amino acids are critical compounds essential for many bodily functions, studies show that high homocysteine ​​levels can be harmful to blood vessels, potentially leading to plaque buildup and conditioning called atherosclerosis (artery blockage).

Betaine is a well known, naturally occurring drug substance that can be isolated from sugar beets.
The drug product is an oral powder consisting of 1 g of betaine (betaine free base) without any excipients.
Betaine is packaged in 300 ml High-Density polyethylene (HDPE) bottle with polypropylene (PP) child resistant caps and three polystyrene spoons as measuring devices for the administration of the product.
Betaine is proposed as an orphan drug for the treatment of homocystinuria. 

Betaine plays two important roles in metabolism as a methyl group supplier and an osmolyte.
As a result, methionine and choline chloride do not have to be added to the ration. 
The osmolytic function also improves the structure of the intestinal mucous membranes, which optimizes nutrient absorption and coccidiostat effects.
Betaine is an amino acid that has been shown to have potential benefits in fighting heart disease, improving body composition, and helping to increase muscle gain and fat loss. 
This is mostly thought to be due to its ability to promote protein synthesis in the body.
Never heard of betaine before? Also known as trimethylglycine, it's been getting more popular in supplements lately, but it's not actually a newly discovered nutrient.
While its positive effects on preventing heart disease have been studied for a long time, betaine has only recently been included more frequently in exercise-focused and energy supplements, protein powders, and other products aimed at improving exercise performance and body composition.

Betaine, a methyl derivative of glycine first isolated from sugar beets, has been shown to have potential benefits for fighting heart disease, improving body composition, and helping promote muscle gain and fat loss because of its abilities to promote protein synthesis in the body.
Betaine is a multifunctional nutrient supporting important metabolic functions. 
Betaine, also known as trimethylglycine, is a zwitterionic (neutral molecule with bipolar structure) quaternary ammonium compound with the chemical formula (CH3) 3N + CH2COO-. First discovered in the juice of sugar beets (Beta vulgaris), betaine occurs in many other plants (spinach, wheat, broccoli), animals (shrimps, shellfish, crabs) and microorganisms. 
Betaine is a chemical substance made in a laboratory. 
Betaine is used as medicine.

Betaine is used as co-surfactant to improve the properties of anionic surfactants.
Betaine also increases the cleaning and gentleness efficiency of final products such as shampoos and handwashing liquids. 
Betaine can have anionic or cationic properties as Betaine contains amphoteric groups depending on the water solution. 
At acidic PH, the cationic property of this substance shows good conditioning quality and can significantly help cationic protein and polymers on the hair in special shampoos.

Betaine can produce high viscosity and sometimes gel with anionic surfactants. 
Such betaines are compatible with all types of surfactants. Such betaines are compatible with all types of surfactants and have good cleansing and foaming properties. 
By using Betaine, the use of primary surfactants in the formulation can be reduced. 
Betaine is a mild surfactant that can reduce skin irritations caused by other surfactants and is pleasant to the skin and hair.
Betaine (trimethylglycine) functions very closely with choline , folic acid , vitamin B12 , and a form of the amino acid methionine known as S-adenosylmethionine ( SAMe ).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 an interesting history. 
Betaine used to be included in over-the-counter (OTC) products as a "stomach acidifier and digestive aid." 
But a federal law that went into effect in 1993 banned Betaine from use in OTC products because there wasn't enough evidence to classify it "generally recognized as safe and effective." Betaine hydrochloride is now available only as a dietary supplement whose purity and strength can vary.
Betaine hydrochloride is also used to treat abnormally low levels of potassium (hypokalemia), high levels of the compound homocysteine in the blood, hay fever, "tired blood" (anemia), asthma, "hardening of the arteries" (atherosclerosis), yeast infections, diarrhea, food allergies, gallstones, inner ear infections, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and thyroid disorders. 

Betaine is also used to protect the liver.
Don't confuse betaine hydrochloride with betaine anhydrous. 
Use only the FDA-approved betaine anhydrous product for the treatment of high levels of homocysteine in the urine (homocystinuria). 
This is a symptom of some rare genetic diseases.

Betaine is a functional nutrient commonly used as a feed additive in animal nutrition, mainly as methyl donor and organic osmolyte. 
Compared to choline, betaine is more efficient as it can directly donate one of its methyl groups, whereas choline needs to be converted to betaine within the mitochondria of the liver cells. 
Additional betaine molecules in the diet increase the efficiency of osmoregulation. 
Betaine is absorbed by stressed cells to maintain (intestinal) cell integrity, cellular activity, protein structure and homeostasis. 
Positive effects of betaine are reported on feed digestibility, carcass quality and in periods of heat stress.
Betaine belongs to a positively charged cationic functional group such as a quaternary ammonium or phosphonium cation lacking a hydrogen atom, and is any uncharged chemical compound belonging to a negatively charged functional group lacking any hydrogen atoms. 
Another name is dimethyl aminoacetate.

USES:

Betaine is a surfactant, humectant, and excellent skin conditioner. 
Betaine is also used to build product viscosity and as a foam booster. 
Betaine is found mostly in skin cleansers, shampoos, and bath products.
Betaine works by preventing the build-up of an amino acid called homocysteine. 
This amino acid can harm blood vessels and contribute to heart disease, stroke, or circulation problems.

Betaine is used to reduce homocysteine levels in people with a genetic condition called homocystinuria, in which the amino acid builds up in the body. 
Betaine is not a cure for homocysteinuria.
Betaine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Betaine is a natural compound, and belonging to a kind of quaternary ammonium alkaloids. 
The name of this substance is because of that it is first extracted from sugar beet. 

Betaine has been over 50 years since it has been used as a feed additive. 
Betaine has attracted much attention due to its important of in protein metabolism and lipid metabolism of animals, and has been widely applied. 
Adding to the chicken feed can increase the amount of broiler carcass quality and chest quantity and also improve the food palatability and utilization rate. 
Increased feed intake and daily gain is the main component of palatability of aquatic attractant. 
Betaine can also improve the feed rate of piglet, and thus promoting its growth. 
Betaine has another important feature as a kind of osmotic pressure regulator which can alleviate the stress of gastrointestinal and increase the viability of juvenile shrimp and fish seedlings under the variation of various stress conditions, such as: cold, heat, disease, and weaning in living conditions. 
Betaine has a protective effect on the stability of VA and VB and can further improve their application efficacy without having the irritation effect of betaine hydrochloride at the same time.

-Adding betaine to the feed has protective effects on the vitamins contained in the feed, also makes feed be tolerable to high temperature and can subject to long-term storage, and thus greatly improving feed utilization rate as well as reducing the costs. 
-Adding 0.05% betaine to the chicken feed can substitute 0.1% methionine; adding betaine to the bait have palatability effect on both fishes and shrimp, thus betaine can be used as the swelling agent of aquatic product in large amount. 
-Adding betaine to the pig feed added betaine can increase the appetite of pigs and increase the rate of lean meat. 
-Betaine is equivalent to 3.5kg of methionine. 
-The ability to provide methyl of betaine is 1.2 times as strong as that of choline chloride, and 3.8 times as strong as that of methionine with a very significant feed efficiency.
-Betaine is used as betaine type amphoteric surfactants, also used as leveling agent of dye vat dyes.
-Betaine can be used as feed grade anhydrous betaine for being as a feed additive. 
-Betaine is a natural and efficient methyl donor which can partially substitute methionine and choline chloride, lower the feed costs, reduce back-fat of pig, and increase the rate lean meat and carcass quality.
-Betaine can be used for lowering blood pressure, anti-fatty liver and anti-aging.
-Betaine can be used as a feed additive for promoting animal growth and increased disease resistance.

-BIOCHEMISTRY:

Betaines are intermediates in the Wittig reaction. 
The addition of betaine to polymerase chain reactions improves the amplification of DNA by reducing the formation of secondary structure in GC-rich regions. 
The addition of betaine may enhance the specificity of the polymerase chain reaction by eliminating the base pair composition dependence of DNA melting.

-FOOD ADDITIVE:

In 2017, the European Food Safety Authority concluded that betaine was safe "as a novel food to be used at a maximum intake level of 6 mg/kg body weight per day in addition to the intake from the background diet.

APPLICATION:

Betaine has been used in reverse transcription to increase the thermal stability of proteins and to destabilize the DNA helix.
Betaine has been used:

-in the preparation of KLA buffer to perform polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
-to study the its effects on Km and Vmax of human aldose reductase
-to study its effects on the growth of A549 lung cancer both in vitro and in vivo

-Sparing of choline and methionine
-Protection against heat stress
-Support gut integrity during coccidiosis
-Carcass improvement

ADVANTAGES:

-High heat stability
-Reduce fatty liver cases

BENEFITS:

Betaine is commonly marketed as a supplement that can be taken for a slew of conditions, but little research exists on its purported health benefits.
Some doctors may recommend Betaine as a source of hydrochloric acid for people who do not produce enough of it due to a health condition called hypochlorhydria. 
Otherwise, despite many claims from promoters and alternative medicine practitioners, there is insufficient evidence that Betaine can be taken for any of the following reasons:

-Promote healthy stomach pH
-Enhance protein and vitamin absorption 
-Reduce symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
-Reduce symptoms of food allergies 
-Reduce symptoms of gallstones 
-Support heart health
-Fortify joints 
-Reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
-Improve asthma symptoms 
-Protect the liver 
-Improve digestion of fats, especially in those post-cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal surgery)

While Betaine does deliver hydrochloric acid, research has only revealed a short-term effect on stomach acid content. 
This may help counteract the effect of certain drugs and in turn aid in the absorption of other drugs, per a 2014 study.1
That said, more studies are needed to fully examine this potential effect. 
Betaine appears to have a multitude of benefits for athletes and gym-goers alike.
Betaine has been gaining a reputation as a pre-workout performance enhancer (for power and energy boosts) and also as a possible adjunct for fat-loss regimens. 
The primary reasons to supplement with betaine anhydrous include:

-Increased power output
-Increased capacity to perform anaerobic work
-Increased energy levels
-Promotes cellular hydration (similar to creatine)
-May reduce LDL cholesterol/blood lipids
-May help reduce body-fat tissue (needs more conclusive research)

Betaine also appears to have benefits for anxiety and depression since it increases S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) in the process of regenerating methionine.
Betaine is has been linked to decreasing depression and anxiety in a variety of studies.
Betaine could indeed be beneficial for athletes and trainees looking to improve their state-of-mind.

PROPERTIES:

-Water Solubility: 1.86 g/L    
-logP: -2.1    
-logP: -4.5    
-logS: -1.9    
-pK (Strongest Acidic): 2.26    
-Physiological Charge: 0    
-Hydrogen Acceptor Count: 2    
-Hydrogen Donor Count: 1    
-Polar Surface Area: 37.3 Ų    
-Rotatable Bond Count: 2    
-Refractivity: 41.99 m³·mol⁻¹    
-Polarizability: 12.52 ų

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES:

Betaine is also known as trimethylamine, and is the quaternary ammonium derivatives of glycine and a class of N-methyl-compound or trimethyl inner salt after the hydrogen of the amino group being substituted by the methyl group. 
Common kinds include Betaine, β-alanyl-betaine and prolyl-betaine. 
We can obtain prismatic crystals or leaf-shaped crystals from ethanol, is sweet taste, and deliquescent. 
Melting point: 293 °C; it will decomposed at 300 °C. 

Betaine is soluble in water, methanol and ethanol, but insoluble in ether, and can be isomerized into dimethylamino methyl acetate at the melting point.
We can obtain its monohydrate crystal from the aqueous solution of the free acid HO-N (CH3) 3-CH2COOH which generates betaine upon dehydration at 100 °C, and is stable in acid. 
Betaine can obtain trimethylamine upon reaction with concentrated aqueous potassium hydroxide and can have Maillard reaction with sugar (browning reaction). 
Betaine is presented in plant such as cottonseed and beetroot as well as in animal substance such as barbed shark meat and crab refined juice. 

Betaine can be recycled from the mother liquor of beet sugar. 
Betaine may also be obtained from the methylation reaction of amino acetate or the reaction between chloroacetate with trimethylamine. 
Clinically Betaine is used in combination with N-amidino glycine for treatment of myasthenia gravis. 
In analytic chemistry, Betaine can also be used as the reagent for identifying gold. 
Betaine is the amphoteric surfactants of betaine used as a leveling agent for vat dyes dying. 
Drought or salt stress, many plants can accumulate betaine inside their body and become a major organic solutes for osmotic adjustment and have a further protective effect on cell membrane and cellular proteins.

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES:

Betaine is colorless crystals or white crystalline powder, odorless, and has a sweet taste. 
Melting point: 293 °C (decomposition). 
Betaine is highly deliquescent. 
Betaine can be dissolved in 0.63 g of water, 1.8g of methanol, and 11.5g of ethanol. 
Betaines slightly soluble in ether. Concentrated alkaline can lead to its decomposition and release of trimethylamine.
Male rats: orally LD50:11.2g/kg, female rats by oral LD50:11.15g/kg.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Since Betaine is not described in any pharmacopoeia, an internal monograph has been developed by the ASMF holder as well as by the applicant, Orphan Europe. 
They differ slightly but are both acceptable.
Appropriate specification for betaine includes parameters such as appearance, identification, pH, loss on drying, assay, related substances, particle size, bulk volume, microbiological quality. 
Impurity limits have been adequately justified by batch analysis, stability studies, toxicological and clinical studies.
Analytical methods to control the active substance such as test on foreign matter, assay and related sugar impurities (HPLC) and other amino acids (AAA), identification (IR), limit tests for chloride, sulphate, iron and heavy metals, pH, loss on drying, sulphated ash and total viable aerobic count have been suitably described and validated by both the applicant and the ASMF holder in accordance with ICH guidelines.
Data are provided for 3 batches of active betaine anhydrous tested by the ASMF holder and 3 batches tested by the applicant. 
Results are in line with the respective specification and confirm the consistency and uniformity of the process.

ACTIONS:

Betaine has been shown to increase S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) levels and hence, may have a role in diminishing hepatic steatosis. 
Betaine is an osmolyte which protects cells against environmental stress.
End-product of oxidative metabolism of choline, betaine is a general methyl donor, in particular in a minor pathway of methionine biosynthesis. 

Betaine is used to treat homocystinuria, which is a defect in the major pathway of methionine biosynthesis.
End-product of oxidative metabolism of choline, betaine is a general methyl donor, in particular in a minor pathway of methionine biosynthesis. 
Betaine is used to treat homocystinuria, which is a defect in the major pathway of methionine biosynthesis.
Betaine, as an osmolyte helps to guard the cells, proteins and enzymes from environmental stress. 
Betaine also acts as a methyl donor to involve in the methionine cycle.

HOW DOES IT WORK:

Betaine helps in the metabolism of a chemical called homocysteine. 
Homocysteine is involved in the normal function of many different parts of the body, including blood, bones, eyes, heart, muscles, nerves, and the brain. 
Betaine prevents the buildup of homocysteine in the blood. Levels of homocysteine are very high in some people who have problems with its metabolism.
In humans, Betaine serves a variety of roles as a methyl-group donor and cofactor; of particular importance is the methylation of the amino acid homocysteine, an amino acid which has been linked to vascular and inflammatory issues when not properly regulated in the body.
Therefore, Betaine is a crucial component to the formulation of many biologically important molecules and regulator of homocysteine levels.
Furthermore, Betaine is an osmotic compound and promotes cellular hydration, much like creatine does. 
This helps maintain cellular integrity and water balance.

SYNONYM:

107-43-7
glycine betaine
oxyneurine
lycine
Trimethylglycine
Abromine
Trimethylglycocoll
Glycocoll betaine
Glycylbetaine
Rubrine C
acidin-pepsin
alpha-Earleine
Cystadane
Jortaine
N,N,N-trimethylglycine
Trimethylaminoacetic acid
Loramine AMB 13