Beetroot nutrient supports heart and brain health and more

Beetroot nutrient betaine for heart, diabetes, depression, Alzheimer's

Beetroot contains a nutrient called betaine.

But when Dr Paul Clayton – then Chair of the Forum on Food and Health at the Royal Society of Medicine – first suggested to me that we include betaine in our supplement NutriShield, very few people had heard of it.

Now it is appearing regularly as a major anti-ageing supplement, but with a fancy scientific name – TMG or Tri-Methyl-Glycine.

You find betaine (aka TMG) in wheatgerm, spinach and, of course, beetroot (hence the name betaine).

Here’s what it does.

Betaine/Trimethylglycine is a methyl donor – essential for gene expression

Studies show that betaine/TMG has many potential health benefits, including the ability to enhance heart health, boost athletic performance, promote healthy insulin levels, and protect against depression.

TMG/betaine is called a methyl donor – it is involved in a chemical process called methylation, which is essential for gene expression.

That is the process (called epigenetic change) whereby genes are either turned on or off.  Betaine encourages gene expression that appears to reduce multiple sclerosis risk. Link to reference. The positive epigenetic impact of betaine goes even further, having – according to a detailed 2018 study in Frontiers of Immunology:

“ ... beneficial actions in several human diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease”.

Betaine for heart health

Betaine converts homocysteine (BAD) — a type of amino acid — into another compound called methionine (GOOD).

This is very important, since high levels of homocysteine can damage your blood vessels and significantly increase heart disease risk. Link to reference  By lowering homocysteine levels, betaine helps lower heart disease risk.

Improved athletic performance

Athletes are using TMG/Betaine because research shows it can improve performance in endurance activities. Link to reference   That’s related to the fact that betaine and beetroot powder can help increase nitric oxide levels in the blood, which improves blood flow.

You may not be an elite athlete, but the reported reduction in fatigue and increases in muscle function are benefits we can all appreciate.

Improved Insulin Resistance

Still further studies have found that TMG supplements could improve insulin resistance. Link to reference

Insulin resistance is a condition that damages your body’s ability to use the hormone insulin to regulate blood sugar levels and can lead to diabetes.

Improvement in symptoms of depression and anxiety

Betaine may also improve symptoms of depression and anxiety. Because these conditions appear to be linked with elevated inflammation and homocysteine levels – problems that betaine/TMG can help lower.

But don't rely on just one supplement alone – even betaine

Most studies on the human benefits of TMG/betaine supplements in humans have used dosages of between 300mg and even up to 6,000 mg per day. There is 450mg of betaine in NutriShield Premium.

Although we are proud of being one of the first companies to offer betaine in our supplement, it’s worth restating that no one nutrient is going to make a big difference to your health. Nutrition is like an orchestra – all the members have to combine for a memorable performance.

So, there are other nutrients in NutriShield that help protect you:-

♥  For your heart – grapeseed and green tea extracts, curcumin, lutein and lycopene

♥  For insulin resistance/diabetes – Omega 3, curcumin, magnesium

♥  For mood/depression – curcumin, folic acid, vitamin D3, B12