Betaine: Evaluation of Antioxidant and Anti Parkinsonism Activity of Betaine in Experimental Rats

[Bolt_Upright]

I saw a post in Surface Your Real Self called "Betaine and diabetes" surfaceyourrealself.com/202..., so naturally I Googled Betaine and Parkinson's:

Evaluation of Antioxidant and Anti Parkinsonism Activity of Betaine in Experimental Rats 2019 jddtonline.info/index.php/j...

"Discussion and Conclusion: Betaine showed dose dependent effect by reducing LPO level as increasing SOD, GSH and Catalase activity and marked reduced proinflammatory cytokine, hence we conclude that betaine has good anti parkinsonism activity."

and Evaluation of Betaine Neuroprotective Effects on 6-Hydroxydopamine-Induced hemi-Parkinsonism in Male Wistar Rats 2019 ijvm.ut.ac.ir/article_72761...

"OBJECTIVES: It was aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of betaine in an animal model of PD.

METHODS: In male Wistar rats under two-week course of oral betaine administration (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg per day), the behavioral, biochemical, and histological evaluations were conducted one week follow- ing unilateral nigral 6-OHDA injection.

RESUTLS: Betaine administration with dose of 200 mg/kg, one week before and after 6-OHDA lesioning, was associated with a meaningful reduction in the plasma levels of homocysteine (Hcy) in comparison with the control and sham groups (P < 0.05). Our evaluations revealed a remarkable improvement in motor asymmetry induced by apomorphine in the rats under treatment of betaine 200 mg/kg. Moreover, in this group, a significant decrease of malondyaldehyde (MDA) concentrations was detected in the brain tissues, as well as a significantly diminished neuronal cell loss (percent) in substantia nigra pars compacta (P < 0.05). The results of 50 and 100 mg/kg betaine groups were not significant.

CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, our findings indicate the antioxidant neuroprotective effects of betaine in this animal model of PD and it is in concordance with betaine properties in decreasing the plasma levels and possible neurotoxic effects of Hcy."

I personally am trying to shrink my stack. There is not a lot on this out there. One good thing: Betaine is cheap.

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Betaine (Cystadane) everydayhealth.com/drugs/be... Effects on ALS

"Betaine works by preventing the build-up of an amino acid called homocysteine. This amino acid can harm blood vessels and contribute to heart disease, stroke, or circulation problems.

Betaine is used to reduce homocysteine levels in people with a genetic condition called homocystinuria, in which the amino acid builds up in the body. Betaine is not a cure for homocysteinuria."

SilentEchoes

[Bolt_Upright]

So according to this, alstuttu.org/wiki/index.php... "The main mechanisms of betaine are either its usage as a methyl donor, where it either directly donates a methyl group to reduce homocysteine into L-methionine (seen as cardioprotective) or it increases bodily levels of S-Adenosyl Methionine (SAMe) or active folate molecules, and those two can then go on to donate methyl groups to other parts of the body. Due to this, supplementation of betaine is able to indirectly support whole-body methylation, and directly support a reduction in homocysteine (which is reliably observed following moderate to high dose supplementation. The other major mechanism is that betaine is as an osmolyte, or a molecule that is shuttled in and out of a cell to affect its hydration status. Similar to Creatine, increased intracellular concentrations of betaine promote cell hydration and resilience to stressors."

These all sound like things I want to do.

[Despe]

Bolt,

First supplement Cleveland Clinic FM doctor suggested to hubby (about 5 years ago). It is a permanent supplement in the stack ever since.

[Bolt_Upright in reply to Despe]

Thanks Despe. Do you think it helps? I guess it would be hard to tell.

[Despe in reply to Bolt_Upright]

It breaks down fat, carbohydrates, etc. so the patient can absorb the nutrients. I find it to be very helpful, one before a meal.

Digestive enzymes and Betaine should in the stack of everyone with PD and those with digestive problems.

[ForViolet]

From the study it looks to be dose dependent. My husband has used Betaine for 30 years, but not at that high dose. He used to take it with every meal, but now has cut back. Our capsules are 425mg.

Reducing homocysteine in that study took 200mg/kg. Right?And 50mg and 100mg didn't show significant results... ? And this was a short term study I think...

The concept sounds good. I hadn't heard about the homocysteine effect of betaine.

I wonder how much people use who have homocystinuria. I see 3 grams two times a day to a maximum of 20 grams done under supervision to get the right dose,

[Bolt_Upright in reply to ForViolet]

So this study was in rats. I think you have to divide the dose by... 8? for humans? That would be 25 mg per kg? For 70 kg would be 1,750 mg?

[Bolt_Upright in reply to Bolt_Upright]

mayoclinic.org/drugs-supple...

For oral dosage form (powder for solution):

To prevent buildup of homocysteine:

Adults, teenagers, and children 3 years of age and older—The starting dose is usually 3 grams taken two times a day with meals. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.

Children younger than 3 years of age—The dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. Betaine should be taken with meals.

[Bolt_Upright]

Huh?

What is the difference between TMG and betaine HCl?

While still in the same molecular family, betaine hydrochloride [HCl] is a very different molecule. It is a protonated form of TMG, meaning it will give up or transfer a proton and a chloride ion in an aqueous solution (liquid). This makes betaine HCl a very good dietary source of hydrochloric or gastric acid.

Okay, this is the one the articles are referring to: Betaine (N, N, N-trimethylglycine) is an amino-acid derivative exerting numerous beneficial effects on the organism.

[Bolt_Upright in reply to Bolt_Upright]

examine.com/supplements/tri...

When looking at the human evidence at this moment in time, it appears that betaine is effective and reliable for reducing homocysteine concentrations when taken daily at 3g or more. A single dose of betaine reduces homocysteine levels, which remain suppressed as long as supplementation is continues. Betaine has been found to reduce homocysteine by 10% in persons with normal levels or by 20-40% in persons with elevated homocysteine levels.

[Bolt_Upright in reply to Bolt_Upright]

wa.kaiserpermanente.org/kba...

I'm thinking 3 to 6 grams a day.

"Betaine (trimethylglycine) has been shown to lower homocysteine levels.

Betaine (trimethylglycine) (6 grams per day) and choline (2 grams per day) have each been shown to lower homocysteine levels. Choline in the amount of 2.6 grams per day (provided as 34 grams per day of soy lecithin) has also been shown to lower homocysteine levels in a double-blind trial. More recently, 1.5 grams of betaine per day, an amount similar to that in a typical diet, also has been found to lower homocysteine levels. Doctors usually consider supplementation with these nutrients only when supplementation with folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 do not reduce homocysteine levels sufficiently. The results of this study, however, point to the potential benefit of increasing one's intake of foods rich in betaine (such as whole wheat, spinach, beets, and other plant foods)."

[Bolt_Upright]

mountsinai.org/health-libra...

Precautions

Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, you should take dietary supplements only under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care provider.

Most side effects from betaine are mild and include diarrhea, stomach upset, and nausea.

Betaine can raise total cholesterol levels. People who are overweight, have heart disease, or are at risk for heart disease, should not take betaine without talking to their provider.

People with kidney disease should not take betaine.

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healthline.com/nutrition/tm...

Dosage

There are no official dosage recommendations for these supplements, but most products provide 750–3,000 mg of TMG per serving.

TMG is considered safe when used in doses up to 15 grams per day (23Trusted Source).

Most studies on the potential benefits of TMG supplements in humans have used amounts of 500–9,000 mg per day, typically divided into several smaller doses (8Trusted Source).

If you have any underlying health conditions or are taking other medications, talk with your doctor before taking a TMG supplement and use them only as directed.

[park_bear]

The study cited in your post used pretreatment of betaine prior to administration of toxicant. Therefore it is not a valid model Parkinson's - betaine merely prevented the action of the toxicant which could be for any number of reasons. A valid model requires establishment of a Parkinson's like condition first before applying the treatment substance

Also there is a concern about betaine causing high levels of TMA/TMAO which should be checked on before pursuing this treatment.

[Gcf51]

I have been taking 500mg of TMG twice a day for years.