Betaine anhydrous
Scientific names: Trimethylglycine anhydrous
Alternate names: Betaína Anhidra, Betaine, Bétaïne Anhydre, Betaine Anhydrous, Bétaïne de Glycine, Bétaïne de Glycocoll, Cystadane, Glycine Betaine, Glycocoll Betaine, Glycylbetaine, Lycine, Oxyneurine, TMG, Trimethyl Glycine, Trimethylbetaine, Trimethylglycine, Trimethylglycine Anhydre
Actions: Anticancer, Exercise performance, Homocysteine lowering, Liver, Mouth moisturizing, Osmolytic, Weight loss
Background
Betaine anhydrous is a chemical that occurs naturally in the body. It can also be found in foods such as beets, spinach, cereals, seafood, and wine.
Betaine anhydrous helps the body to process 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 anhydrous prevents the buildup of homocysteine in the blood.
A specific betaine anhydrous prescription product (Cystadane) is FDA-approved for the treatment of high urine levels of homocysteine (homocystinuria). People also use non-prescription betaine anhydrous supplements for reducing blood and urine homocysteine levels, athletic performance, depression, dry mouth, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
Don't confuse betaine anhydrous with betaine hydrochloride. These are not the same.
Betaine anhydrous helps the body to process 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 anhydrous prevents the buildup of homocysteine in the blood.
A specific betaine anhydrous prescription product (Cystadane) is FDA-approved for the treatment of high urine levels of homocysteine (homocystinuria). People also use non-prescription betaine anhydrous supplements for reducing blood and urine homocysteine levels, athletic performance, depression, dry mouth, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
Don't confuse betaine anhydrous with betaine hydrochloride. These are not the same.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Betaine anhydrous is likely safe when used in doses of up to 6 grams daily. Betaine anhydrous is available as an FDA-approved prescription product (Cystadane) and a dietary supplement. It's usually well-tolerated. Side effects might include nausea, stomach upset, diarrhea, and body odor.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if betaine anhydrous is safe or what the side effects might be.
Children: Betaine anhydrous is likely safe for most children when taken by mouth in doses up to 150mg/kg daily.
High cholesterol: Betaine anhydrous can increase levels of total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol in some people. People with high cholesterol should use betaine anhydrous cautiously.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if betaine anhydrous is safe or what the side effects might be.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if betaine anhydrous is safe to use when pregnant or breast feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Children: Betaine anhydrous is likely safe for most children when taken by mouth in doses up to 150mg/kg daily.
High cholesterol: Betaine anhydrous can increase levels of total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol in some people. People with high cholesterol should use betaine anhydrous cautiously.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Effective Effectiveness definitions
- High levels of homocysteine in the urine (homocystinuria). Taking betaine anhydrous by mouth lowers homocysteine levels in the urine. A specific prescription form of betaine anhydrous (Cystadane) is FDA-approved for treating certain disorders in both children and adults.
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
- High levels of homocysteine in the blood (hyperhomocysteinemia). Taking betaine anhydrous by mouth lowers homocysteine levels in the blood of some people. But it's not clear if this also decreases the risk of heart disease.
Dosing & administration
Betaine anhydrous has most often been used by adults in doses of 1.25-3 grams by mouth twice daily. Betaine anhydrous is available as an FDA-approved prescription product (Cystadane) and a dietary supplement. Prescription products are standardized, meaning they contain a consistent dose of betaine anhydrous. Non-prescription products may contain more or less betaine anhydrous than indicated on the label.
Discuss the use of both prescription and non-prescription products with a healthcare provider.
Discuss the use of both prescription and non-prescription products with a healthcare provider.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if Betaine Anhydrous interacts with any medicines. Before taking Betaine Anhydrous, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Products
View all products
Per 7 g:
- Trimethylglycine (TMG) 300 mg
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) 643 mg
- Brassica oleracea var. italica powder 100 mg
- Silybum marianum ext. 500 mg
- Schisandra chinensis ext. 200 mg
- Cynara scolymus ext. 800 mg
- Hordeum vulgare 883 mg
- Chlorella pyrenoidosa powder 100 mg
- Rosmarinus officinalis ext. 50 mg
- Coriandrum sativum powder 50 mg
- Galium aparine ext. 160 mg
- L-glutamine 800 mg
- Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) 100 mg
- Calcium D-glucarate 100 mg
- Taurine 60 mg
- L-cysteine 50 mg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 80 mg
- Magnesium citrate 8 mg
- Zinc citrate 5 mg
- R-alpha lipoic acid 25 mg
- Apple pectin 320 mg
- Natural lemon lime flavour
- Xylitol
- Glycine
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Citric acid anhydrous
Practitioner product
Per 36 g (Wild Berry):
- Trimethylglycine (TMG)
- Magnesium aspartate
- Sodium citrate
- Potassium aspartate
- Calcium citrate
- Glucose monohydrate (Dextrose)
- Maltodextrin
- Rice amylopectin
- Beta vulgaris powder
- Citrulline malate amino acid (L-Citrulline)
- Beta alanine
- Silicon dioxide
- Honey (powder)
- Raspberry flavour
- Creatinol-O-Phosphate (Creatine)
- Malic acid
- Schisandra chinensis (berry) ext.
- Stevia rebaubiana
RRP: $79.95$67.96Save: 15%
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This monograph was last reviewed on 01/05/2024 10:00:00 and last updated on 17/11/2021 21:11:37. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
