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Trimethylglycine Benefits

Trimethylglycine is a nutrient produced in the body that aids several chemical processes, such as decreasing homocysteine levels. TMG is a methyl donor, which means it carries methyl molecules from one place to another to help the body perform appropriately. But trimethylglycine, also known as betaine or betaine anhydrous, becomes dimethylglycine once its work in reducing dangerous homocysteine levels is finished.

  1. Homocysteine Level Reduction Benefit

    • Homocystinuria is a genetic condition that causes an elevation of the homocysteine levels in the body. Elevated homocysteine levels, which are basically an increase in amino acid, can be a risk factor for other conditions. A positive benefit of TMG is that it methylates homocysteine, preventing it from circulating within the body. Six grams of trimethylglycine per day is considered a therapeutic dose in the reduction of high homocysteine levels.

    Stroke and Heart Disease Benefit

    • Stroke and heart disease can result from high homocysteine levels, according to the University of Maryland's Medical Center. TMG's ability to methylate excessive homocysteine from the body is seen as a benefit against the possibility of stroke and other heart-related problems.

    S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) Stimulation Benefit

    • According to NYU's Langone Medical Center, TMG has the ability to stimulate production of S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe). SAMe can be produced in the body naturally (and the body produces all it needs normally), or it can be ingested as a supplement (necessary at times due to deficiencies resulting from certain conditions).
      Given that SAMe can be stimulated to produce itself in the body by TMG, TMG has the potential to help the liver ward off effects of alcohol when it motivates SAMe production. This benefit is not direct, since SAMe is the one actually recognized for fighting against ethanol-induced fat infiltration, not TMG for its stimulation of SAMe.

    SAMe, TMG, and Osteoarthritis and Depression Benefit

    • TMG may also be beneficial in dealing with osteoarthritis and depression. For this, both SAMe and TMG are manufactured in supplement form, and in much greater quantities than the body produces. Since SAMe supplements are more expensive than TMG, but supposedly similar in therapeutic benefit for these two conditions, it has been suggested that TMG may one day prove to be a less expensive alternative to SAMe.

    Possible Controversial Benefit Warning

    • Once TMG's work has been completed in decreasing homocysteine levels in the body, it becomes another substance known as dimethylglycine (DMG). Another possible therapeutic use of TMG/DMG may be as a sport performance enhancer.
      Calcium gluconate and DMG have been the latest substances touted as being the "vitamin B15" being used with successful results by both Russian and American athletes. However, the vitamin B15 label has supposedly been comprised of other substances in the past, so it is unknown what vitamin B15 is at this time.

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