Trimethylglycine (TMG), also called betaine, is a substance manufactured by the body. It helps break down another naturally occurring substance called homocysteine.In certain rare genetic conditions, the body cannot dispose of homocysteine, resulting in its accumulation to extremely high levels. This, in turn, leads to accelerated cardiovascular disease and other problems.
DMG supplements are used to treat a wide variety of illnesses and health problems, including ADHD, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, allergies, respiratory disorders, pain and swelling, cancer, alcoholism, and drug addiction. Mar 09, 2012 DMG may not be indicated for cancer known to be hypermethylated. Methylation enzyme inhibitors are being used as therapy for such cancers. (See DNA Hypermethylation.).
Oral TMG is an FDA-approved treatment for this condition. It 'methylates' homocysteine, removing it from circulation.Meaningful, but not altogether consistent, evidence suggests that the relatively slightthat can occur in healthy people is also harmful.On this basis, it has been suggested that TMG might reduce heart disease risk in healthy people as well. However, this has not been proven, and TMG has shown the potential for having adverse effects on cholesterol profile, which could counter any possible benefit via homocysteine.Note: TMG is similar chemically to betaine hydrochloride, but it has entirely different actions. P1TMG is not required in the diet because the body can manufacture it from other nutrients.
Grains, nuts, seeds, and meats contain small amounts of TMG. However, most TMG in food is destroyed during cooking or processing, so food isn't a reliable way to get a therapeutic dosage.After TMG has done its work on homocysteine, it is turned into another substance, dimethylglycine (DMG). Some manufacturers will tell you that DMG is identical to TMG, but this isn't true. DMG is not a methylating agent, so it can't have any effect on homocysteine. (See alsobelow.). P3There is no doubt that TMG greatly reduces homocysteine levels and improves health among people with the rare disease cystathionine beta-synthase deficiency (as well as related conditions).
TMG also appears to reduce relatively mild homocysteine elevations in people without genetic defects.However, as noted above, TMG also seems to worsen, and this may counteract any possible benefits.For this reason, if you have elevated levels of homocysteine, it may make more sense to reduce it by taking supplemental, and; these supplements are known to, and, unlike TMG, they provide nutritional benefit as well.TMG may help protect the liver against the effects of alcohol, perhaps by stimulating the formation of. In addition, it may be helpful for non-alcoholic forms of fatty liver (non-alcoholic steatosis) as well.TMG has also been suggested as a less expensive substitute for SAMe in other condition for which SAMe is used (such asand).
However, there is no evidence to show that it is effective.A substance labeled pangamic acid or vitamin B15has been extensively used as a performance enhancer by Russian athletes and has also become popular among American athletes. However, it is not clear there really is any such substance; or, to state it another way, various substances have at various times been given that name. Most recently, the term has been associated with a mixture of calcium gluconate and DMG; one small study failed to find this form of pangamic acid effective for.
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Effect of homocysteine-lowering nutrients on blood lipids: results from four randomised, placebo-controlled studies in healthy humans.PLoS Med. 2005;2:e135.Last reviewed September 2014 byPlease be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician.
It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Dimethylglycine, also known as DMG, is a natural substance found in both plant and animal cells, and is derived from the amino acid glycine (see reference 1 under Clinical Summary para 1). As a supplement, it is purported to offer a number of health benefits, from enhancing physical performance to improving behavior in children with autism and attention deficit disorder.
However, the evidence to support these claims is lacking, according to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (see reference 1 under Mechanism of Action). How DMG Works.
The body produces DMG in the cells by breaking down choline (see reference 1 under Clinical Summary). In the body, it acts as an antioxidant and improves oxygenation of the cells (see reference 1 under Clinical Summary). The thought is that taking DMG as a supplement may further enhance oxygenation, which improves athletic performance (see reference 1 under Clinical Summary). It is also thought to act as a neurological stimulator, which is why it has gained popularity in the autism community (see reference 1 under Clinical Summary).
According to an October 2009 review article on the use of complementary medicine in autism published in 'Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics,' the two clinical trials testing the use of DMG on children with autism showed no positive effect or improvement in behavior (see reference 2 under DMG). Copyright ©2019Leaf Group Ltd.Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the LIVESTRONG.COM,and.The material appearing on LIVESTRONG.COM is for educational use only. It should not beused as a substitute for professional medical advice,diagnosis or treatment. LIVESTRONG is a registered trademark of the LIVESTRONG Foundation.The LIVESTRONG Foundation and LIVESTRONG.COM do not endorseany of the products or services that are advertised on the web site.Moreover, we do not select every advertiser or advertisement that appears on the web site-many of theadvertisements are served by third party advertising companies.