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Betaine
  Betaine
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Alternative Names: Trimethylglycine (TMG).

Betaine HCl is the hydrochloride salt of betaine. It is an interesting supplement additive, being used for both its betaine component as well as the HCl component.
Source


Betaine HCl is an off-white crystal; beet juice is a good natural source.

Function; Reasons For Use
As a methyl donor, betaine acts to protect DNA (via methylation) from damage. Betaine is also lipotropic, listing it as a hepatoprotectant in the Merck index for its ability to move fat from the liver.

As a hydrochloric salt, betaine HCl is often used to promote digestion by lowering the pH of the stomach. This can be especially helpful in older people whose pH in the stomach has increased due to lack of HCl production. Increased digestion in the stomach can greatly help those who have food allergies, as undigested food in the intestines is a major problem.





Betaine can help with the following:
Circulation  Atherosclerosis

Uro-Genital

  Pregnancy-Related Issues


KEY
May do some good
Likely to help


GLOSSARY

Allergy (Allergies)
Hypersensitivity caused by exposure to a particular antigen (allergen), resulting in an increased reactivity to that antigen on subsequent exposure, sometimes with harmful immunologic consequences.

DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid, the large molecule that is the main carrier of genetic information in cells. DNA is found mainly in the chromosomes of cells.

Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)
An inorganic acidic compound, excreted by the stomach, that aids in digestion.

Liver (Hepatic)
The largest and one of the most complex organs of the body, the liver is responsible for much of the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. It is the site of much of the body's detoxification. It is connected very closely with digestion and the regulation of blood sugar, among many other functions. Found behind the ribs on the right side of the abdomen, it has many important functions such as removing harmful material from the blood, making enzymes and bile that help digest food, and converting food into substances needed for life and growth. Hepatic: Pertaining to the liver.

pH
A measure of an environment's acidity or alkalinity. The more acidic the solution, the lower the pH. For example, a pH of 1 is very acidic; a pH of 7 is neutral; a pH of 14 is very alkaline.

Stomach
A hollow, muscular, J-shaped pouch located in the upper part of the abdomen to the left of the midline. The upper end (fundus) is large and dome-shaped; the area just below the fundus is called the body of the stomach. The fundus and the body are often referred to as the cardiac portion of the stomach. The lower (pyloric) portion curves downward and to the right and includes the antrum and the pylorus. The function of the stomach is to begin digestion by physically breaking down food received from the esophagus. The tissues of the stomach wall are composed of three types of muscle fibers: circular, longitudinal and oblique. These fibers create structural elasticity and contractibility, both of which are needed for digestion. The stomach mucosa contains cells which secrete hydrochloric acid and this in turn activates the other gastric enzymes pepsin and rennin. To protect itself from being destroyed by its own enzymes, the stomach’s mucous lining must constantly regenerate itself.




Last updated: May 11, 2008


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