Generality
Betaine is a natural substance extracted from sugar beet (Beta vulgaris), to whom it owes its name.
By virtue of this activity, Betaine has been used successfully in the treatment of homocystinuria and hyperhomocysteinemia, conditions associated with an increased cardiovascular risk.
Betaine is available on the market both as a drug (eg Cystadane ®) and as a food supplement.
Indications
Why is Betaine used? What is it for?
The health interest in Betaine derives from its ability to transfer methyl groups to homocysteine, transforming it into methionine (essential amino acid from which it derives).
This is a rather positive effect, since at high concentrations plasma homocysteine has been shown to significantly increase cardiovascular risk.
Deepening
Betaine shares the action of the enzyme methionine synthase, which performs the remethylation of homocysteine into methionine thanks to the presence of vitamin B12, as a coenzyme, and folic acid (the enzyme reduces 5 methyl-tetrahydrofolate (MTHF) to methyltetrahydrofolate , which, in turn, provides the methyl group necessary for the transformation of homocysteine into methionine).
The contribution of betaine to homocysteine remethylation is in any case secondary to the mechanism just described.
Currently, therefore, to lower the levels of homocysteine in the blood, action is taken on several fronts, associating:
- folic acid, possibly in the 5-methyltetrahydrofolate form,
- vitamin B12,
- Betaine
- vitamin B6 (pyridoxalphosphate acts as a coenzyme in the transulfuration of homocysteine, operated by the enzyme cystathionine-Β-synthase, which catalyzes the condensation reaction of homocysteine with serine, forming cystathionine, which is then degraded to cysteine, see image).
In light of its precious biochemical role, Betaine is mainly used as a useful remedy against hyperhomocysteinemia and homocysteinuria.
Properties and Effectiveness
What benefits has Betaine shown during the studies?
In addition to the detoxifying activity against homocysteine, extensively described in the previous paragraph, Betaine has shown other interesting activities during the studies, especially experimental ones.
More precisely, Betaine would seem:
- Exercise a "hepatoprotective action against environmental intoxicants;
- Exercise a lipotropic action (useful activity in preventing and accelerating the removal of deposited fat) against the fatty liver (steatosic);
- Exercise a mild antidepressant action, since as shown in the figure it can be converted into S-adenosylmethionine, a substance with non-specific antidepressant effects;
- Exercise a "neuroprotective action against alcohol-induced damage;"
- Exercise a potential slimming activity.
These activities, mostly derived from experimental models, would however require further clinical investigations.
Dosage and method of use
How to use Betaine
Betaine is generally present in the form of supplements.
The dosage most used in the treatment, as an adjuvant, of hyperhomocysteinemia and hyperhomocysteinuria in adults is generally 6g per day, divided into two equal doses.
Classically Betaine is used in association with B vitamins such as Vitamin B6, Vitamin B9 and Vitamin B12, all useful in controlling homocysteine levels.
Side effects
The use of betaine has only occasionally been associated with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Contraindications
When should Betaine not be used?
The use of Betaine is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the active principle or to structurally related molecules.
Pharmacological interactions
What drugs or foods can modify the effect of Betaine?
There are currently no known drug interactions worthy of note between Betaine and other active ingredients.
However, the simultaneous use of Betaine and Folic Acid could increase the ability of Betaine to reduce plasma homocysteine concentrations.
Precautions for use
What do you need to know before taking Betaine?
The use of Betaine should be avoided, or if strictly necessary supervised by a physician, during pregnancy and during the subsequent period of breastfeeding.
The same precautions should be used in gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcer.
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