TMG

Category: metabolite

Aliases: Trimethylglycine, Betaine, Betaine anhydrous

Pharmacological Mechanism

Methyl donor to homocysteine via betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) — a B12-independent remethylation route parallel to methionine synthase. Complementary methyl donor for high-methylation-demand protocols (e.g., NMN → NAD⁺ → methylated nicotinamide). Also a renal osmolyte and a performance-enhancement ergogenic at ~2.5 g/d (mechanism uncertain — possibly via methyl support for creatine synthesis).

Half-Life (t½)

PO: 2h

Dosing Guidelines

• PO: Typical 500 mg (Range: 500–500 mg)

Target Organ Systems

• renal

Interactions

• Methionine (synergistic): TMG donates a methyl back to homocysteine → methionine via BHMT.
• NMN (synergistic): NMN → NAD⁺ → methylated nicotinamide (by NNMT) consumes methyl donors; TMG replenishes.
• SAMe (synergistic): BHMT route preserves SAMe pool.
• Homocysteine (synergistic): Betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) uses TMG as methyl donor to remethylate Hcy → methionine; adjunct in B12-independent hyperhomocysteinemia.
• Creatine Monohydrate (synergistic): Methionine → SAMe → creatine biosynthesis consumes methyl donors; TMG replenishes. Commonly stacked with creatine + NMN / NAD+ precursors.
• Nicotinamide Riboside (synergistic): Methyl-donor support for downstream NNMT methylation.

Pathways It Modulates

• Glutathione synthesis + redox cycle (substrate) — trimethylglycine (betaine; methyl donor)

Chemical Identifiers

• PubChem CID: 247
• Formula: C5H11NO2
• Molecular weight: 117.15 g/mol
• InChIKey: KWIUHFFTVRNATP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
• SMILES: C[N+](C)(C)CC(=O)[O-]

References

• PMID 16365055