I have read that betaine HCl is the same as trimethylglycine (TMG), which is also called betaine. But are they really the same?
It's confusing to me that these supplements always appear to be used for different purposes. Betaine HCl appears to be used for digestion, while TMG appears to be used for methylation.
How can they be "the same thing" if they are used differently?
If I were to prescribe one of these supplements, would it cover both functions simultaneously? Read on for answers to these important questions!
Also, I hope you'll enjoy my latest podcast: Beyond Stimulants: A Practical and Holistic Approach to ADD/ADHD. This podcast offers a new and helpful way to understand ADD/ADHD and suggests a practical approach to resolving its debilitating symptoms.
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Is Trimethylglycine (TMG) the Same as Betaine HCl?
How do they support digestion and methylation?
In my attempt to clarify the differences between betaine HCl and trimethylglycine (also called betaine), I found the following article by T. G. Guilliams, Ph.D. and L. E. Drake, MS entitled: Meal-Time Supplementation with Betaine HCl for Functional Hypochlorhydria: What is the Evidence? (1)
The article makes a case for the use of betaine HCl to help acidify the stomach while taking proton pump inhibitors (PPI), which increases pH levels in the stomach.
The article clarifies the difference between betaine HCl and betaine:
Betaine HCl is the hydrochloride salt of betaine, a different but important supplemental compound. It is important to distinguish between betaine HCl and betaine (or trimethylglycine (TMG)) as these agents have very different chemistry and clinical indications.
The non-acidic betaine is used primarily as a methyl donor, especially to treat homocystinuria (for which it is approved as a prescription drug). In contrast, betaine HCl readily releases H+ in an aqueous environment (approximately 0.65 mmol/100 mg).
By releasing H+ in an aqueous environment, betaine HCl makes the environment more acidic. However, betaine, i.e. TMG, can also help digestion by increasing the function of digestive enzymes amylase, lipase, trypsin, and chymotrypsin.
The article further notes that:
Supplementation of the high salt diet with betaine was also able to offset the diminished gut microbial diversity induced by the high salt diet.
Since these effects were seen only in rats (and only under high salt stress), it is unknown if any of these benefits would be realized in humans (with or without hypochlorhydria).
TMG/betaine acts as an effective methylator throughout the body. It can lower homocysteine, which has been linked to inflammation, depression, specific forms of dementia, and various types of vascular disease.
It helps in the production of important neurotransmitters and Co-Enzyme Q10. Methylation allows the DNA to be properly used as a template for creating proteins.
In summary, these two supplements have important differences and should not be used interchangeably. Betaine HCl should be used to help increase gastric acid to help with digestion.
Betaine, or TMG, may also support digestion (by supporting digestive enzymes), but this was only shown in mice. Primarily, it should be used as a powerful methylator, which lowers homocysteine, improves neurotransmitter function, increases Co-Q10 levels, and allows proper DNA transcription.
Another helpful summary of the differences between betaine HCl and betaine (TMG), can be found in this article: What is the Difference Between Betaine and Betaine HCl
Have a wonderful week!
References:
1. Guilliams TG, Drake LE. Meal-Time Supplementation with Betaine HCl for Functional Hypochlorhydria: What is the Evidence? Integr Med (Encinitas). 2020 Feb;19(1):32-36. PMID: 32549862; PMCID: PMC7238915.
2. “Trimethylglycine.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 6 Mar. 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trimethylglycine.
3. Madhu. “What Is the Difference between Betaine and Betaine Hcl.” Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms, Differencebetween.com, 30 Aug. 2021, https://www.differencebetween.com/what-is-the-difference-between-betaine-and-betaine-hcl/.
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