Betaine

What does the research say?

While research is still ongoing, some studies have shown promising results for betaine in building muscle mass. Some studies have reported increases in muscle strength and power [6, 12]. Betaine's role in methylation can enhance protein synthesis [22] , which is essential for muscle growth. Betaine has been shown to improve muscle endurance, which indirectly benefits muscle building by allowing for more intense workouts [14] . Furthermore, studies have shown that betaine can help mitigate age-related muscle loss and improve mitochondrial function, which enhances the body's ability to convert nutrients into muscle-building energy [27, 30]. Additionally, a study showed increased testosterone levels after betaine supplementation, which is an anabolic hormone that can enhance muscle growth [14] . However, more research is needed to establish the most effective dosages and long-term benefits for muscle building [12] .

None reported in most studies

Most studies have not reported any side effects from betaine supplementation [6, 10, 14, 27]. This suggests that betaine is generally safe for most individuals at recommended dosages.

Increased levels of trimethylamine (TMAO)

Some studies suggest that betaine supplementation can increase levels of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), which may be linked to cardiovascular issues, however, more research is needed [8] .

[1] Multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements, safety implications, and performance outcomes: a brief review.

This review discusses the use of multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements, focusing on beta-alanine as a common component. It explains beta-alanine's role in increasing muscle carnosine, which buffers acid buildup during high-intensity exercise, ultimately enhancing performance. While the review does not focus on betaine, it highlights the context of supplement use for performance.

[2] Cell type-selective secretome profiling in vivo.

This study investigates betaine-homocysteine S-methyltransferase (BHMT), a cytosolic enzyme involved in choline metabolism and hepatic lipid accumulation. It explores how BHMT is secreted by hepatocytes in response to dietary changes, but it does not discuss the role of betaine in muscle building.

[3] Genome-wide analysis identifies novel susceptibility loci for myocardial infarction.

This large-scale study identifies genetic risk factors for myocardial infarction but does not focus on betaine or its effects on muscle building.

[4] Methylene Tetrahydrofolate Reductase Deficiency.

This paper discusses MTHFR deficiency, a metabolic disorder where betaine is used as a treatment to improve survival and neurological outcomes, but does not focus on muscle building.

[5] Sequential extraction of proteins by chemical reagents.

This paper describes techniques for protein extraction and does not discuss betaine or muscle building.

[6] Dietary Supplements and Musculoskeletal Health and Function.

This review discusses dietary supplements and their role in musculoskeletal health and function. It notes that betaine can increase muscle strength and power in trained individuals, making it an ergogenic aid, but doesn't delve into the mechanism of action.

[7] Zwitterionic polymer ligands: an ideal surface coating to totally suppress protein-nanoparticle corona formation?

This study investigates zwitterionic polymers and their properties for coating nanoparticles, and it does not relate to muscle building.

[8] The Relationship of Circulating Choline and Choline-Related Metabolite Levels with Health Outcomes: A Scoping Review of Genome-Wide Association Studies and Mendelian Randomization Studies.

This review explores choline and related metabolites like betaine, which plays roles in various bodily functions, including liver, muscle, and brain functions. It associates betaine with reduced risks of certain diseases and improved metabolic health but doesn't discuss muscle building specifically.

[9] Sensorable zwitterionic antibacterial hydrogel for wound electrostimulation therapy.

This study describes the creation of a zwitterionic hydrogel for wound healing and monitoring, and does not relate to muscle building.

[10] The Effect of Choline and Resistance Training on Strength and Lean Mass in Older Adults.

This study examines the effects of choline and resistance training on strength and lean mass in older adults. It notes that betaine, a choline metabolite, may positively affect body composition and training volume, but results are inconsistent regarding its impact on muscle creatine content and strength performance.

[11] Small and stable sulfobetaine zwitterionic quantum dots for functional live-cell imaging.

This study discusses the use of sulfobetaine in surface coatings for quantum dots in cell imaging but is not related to muscle building.

[12] Effects of Betaine Supplementation on Muscle Strength and Power: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review analyzes studies on betaine supplementation and its effect on muscle strength and power. The review finds that the evidence for a clear ergogenic effect of betaine on these parameters is limited, though some studies do show increases.

[13] The methylester of gamma-butyrobetaine, but not gamma-butyrobetaine itself, induces muscarinic receptor-dependent vasodilatation.

This study focuses on the vasodilating effects of gamma-butyrobetaine methyl ester and its interaction with muscarinic receptors, but not on muscle building or betaine.

[14] Betaine supplementation improves CrossFit performance and increases testosterone levels, but has no influence on Wingate power: randomized crossover trial.

This clinical study finds that betaine supplementation can improve CrossFit performance and increase testosterone levels. It highlights betaine’s role in methylation and osmoregulation, though it does not observe significant changes in fat-free mass.

[15] Diet- and microbiota-related metabolite, 5-aminovaleric acid betaine (5-AVAB), in health and disease.

This review discusses 5-aminovaleric acid betaine, a metabolite related to gut microbiota, and its potential health effects. It is not focused on building muscle with Betaine.

[16] The anti-diabetic potential of betaine. Mechanisms of action in rodent models of type 2 diabetes.

This review discusses betaine's potential in managing type 2 diabetes, focusing on its mechanisms of action in rodent models. It notes betaine's ability to improve glucose tolerance and insulin action, but it does not focus on muscle building.

[17] A thermolabile aldolase A mutant causes fever-induced recurrent rhabdomyolysis without hemolytic anemia.

This clinical study describes cases of aldolase A deficiency and does not focus on betaine or muscle building.

[18] In vitro analysis of hepatic carnitine biosynthesis in human systemic carnitine deficiency.

This study analyzes carnitine biosynthesis in patients with systemic carnitine deficiency and does not relate to betaine or muscle building.

[19] Accumulation and excretion of long-chain acylcarnitine by rat hearts; studies with aminocarnitine.

This study investigates the accumulation of long-chain acylcarnitine in rat hearts and its relation to cardiac function. It does not relate to muscle building with Betaine.

[20] Organohydrogel Actuators with Adjustable Stimulus Responsiveness for On-Demand Morphing.

This study focuses on the development of organohydrogel actuators and not relevant to Betaine or muscle building.

[21] Butyrobetaine is equal to L-carnitine in elevating L-carnitine levels in rats.

This study compares butyrobetaine and L-carnitine in elevating carnitine levels in rats and does not relate to muscle building with Betaine.

[22] Lean Body Mass Harbors Sensing Mechanisms that Allow Safeguarding of Methionine Homeostasis.

This review discusses how betaine is involved in the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine, and how it contributes to maintaining methionine homeostasis. It touches on protein synthesis but does not directly discuss muscle building.

[23] Osmoregulatory function of betaine in alleviating heat stress in poultry.

This review focuses on the osmoregulatory function of betaine and its effects in alleviating heat stress in poultry. It notes that betaine can improve weight gain and muscle yield but does not relate to muscle building in humans.

[24] Endothelium- and nitric oxide-dependent vasorelaxing activities of gamma-butyrobetaine esters: possible link to the antiischemic activities of mildronate.

This study investigates the vasorelaxing activities of gamma-butyrobetaine esters and their connection to nitric oxide. It does not focus on the effects on building muscle mass.

[25] ¹H NMR and multivariate data analysis of the relationship between the age and quality of duck meat.

This study analyzes the chemical composition of duck meat at different ages, identifying changes in metabolites such as betaine. It does not focus on muscle building in humans.

[26] Enhancing protein solubilization with nondetergent sulfobetaines.

This study discusses the use of sulfobetaines for protein extraction, and does not discuss the effects of betaine on muscle building.

[27] Betaine delays age-related muscle loss by mitigating Mss51-induced impairment in mitochondrial respiration via Yin Yang1.

This study reveals that betaine delays age-related muscle loss by improving mitochondrial respiration and preserving muscle mass and strength in aging individuals. It focuses on betaine's role as a methyl donor and its effect on mitochondrial function.

[28] Dietary Betaine Improves Glucose Metabolism in Obese Mice.

This study explores how betaine lowers blood glucose in obese mice but does not specifically explore the effects on muscle mass.

[29] Carnitine and deoxycarnitine concentration in rat tissues and urine after their administration.

This study examines the relationship between L-carnitine and deoxycarnitine in rats and does not relate to muscle building with Betaine.

[30] Betaine attenuates age-related suppression in autophagy via Mettl21c/p97/VCP axis to delay muscle loss.

This study shows that betaine can delay muscle loss by enhancing autophagy in aged skeletal muscle by increasing S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM), a crucial metabolite for autophagy regulation, highlighting Betaine's positive effect on muscle health as it ages.