Betaine Information | Mount Sinai

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Alfthan G, Tapani K, Nissinen K, Saarela J, Aro A. The effect of low doses of betaine on plasma homocysteine in healthy volunteers. Br J Nutr. 2004;92(4):665-669.

Atkinson W, Elmslie J, Lever M, Chambers ST, George PM. Dietary and supplementary betaine: acute effects on plasma betaine and homocysteine concentrations under standard and postmethionine load conditions in healthy male subjects. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008;87(3):577-585.

Angulo P, Lindor KD. Treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver: present and emerging therapies. Semin Liver Dis. 2001;21(1):81-88.

Barak AJ, Beckenhauer HC, Badkhsh S, Tuma DJ. The effect of betaine in reversing alcoholic steatosis. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 1997;21(6):1100-1102.

Barak AJ, Beckenhauer HC, Tuma DJ. Betaine, ethanol, and the liver: a review. Alcohol. 1996;13(4):395-398.

Boushey CJ, Beresford SA, Omenn GS, Motulsky AG. A quantitative assessment of plasma homocysteine as a risk factor for vascular disease. Probable benefits of increasing folic acid intakes. JAMA. 1995;274(13):1049-1057.

Eikelboom JW, Lonn E, Genest J, Hankey G, Yusuf S. Homocyst(e)ine and cardiovascular disease: a critical review of the epidemiologic evidence. Ann Intern Med. 1999;131(5):363-375.

Hanje AJ, Fortune B, Song M, Hill D, McClain C. The use of selected nutrition supplements and complementary and alternative medicine in liver disease. Nutr Clin Pract. 2006;21(3):255-272. Review.

Imbard A, Benoist JF, Esse R, et al. High homocysteine induces betaine depletion. Biosci Rep. 2015;35(4):pii:e00222.

Kanbak G, Arslan OC, Dokumacioglu A, Kartkaya K, Inal ME. Effects of chronic ethanol consumption on brain synaptosomes and protective role of betaine. Neurochem Res. 2008;33(3):539-544.

Kendler BS. Supplemental conditionally essential nutrients in cardiovascular disease therapy. Cardiovasc Nurs. 2006 Jan-Feb;21(1):9-16. Review.

Kishi T, Kawamura I, Harada Y, et al. Effect of betaine on S-adenosylmethionine levels in the cerebrospinal fluid in a patient with methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency and peripheral neuropathy. J Inherit Metab Dis. 1994;17(5):560-565.

Malinow MR, Bostom AG, Krauss RM. Homocyst(e)ine, diet, and cardiovascular disease. A statement for healthcare professionals from the nutrition committee, American Heart Association. Circulation. 1999;99(1):178-182.

Miglio F, Rovati LC, Santoro A, Senikar I. Efficacy and safety of oral betaine glucuronate in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. A double-blind, randomized, parallel group, placebo-controlled prospective clinical study. Arzneimittelforschung. 2000;50(8):722-727.

Olthof MR, Bots ML, Katan MB, Verhoef P. Effect of folic acid and betaine supplementation on flow-mediated dilation: a randomized, controlled study in healthy volunteers. PLoS Clin Trials. 2006;1(2):e10.

Olthof MR, Van Vliet T, Boelsma E, et al. Low dose betaine supplementation leads to immediate and long term lowering of plasma homocysteine in healthy men and women. J Nutr. 2003;133(12):4135-4138.

Olthof MR, Vliet TV, Verhoef P, et al. Effect of homocysteine-lowering nutrients on blood lipids: results from four randomised, placebo-controlled studies in healthy humans. PLoS Med. 2005;2(5):e135.

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Sarkar PK, Lambert LA. Aetiology and treatment of hyperhomocysteinaemia causing ischaemic stroke. Int J Clin Pract. 2001;55(4):262-268.

Schwab U, Torronen A, Toppinen L, et al. Betaine supplementation decreases plasma homocysteine concentrations but does not affect body weight, body composition, or resting energy expenditure in human subjects. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002;76(5):961-967.

Schwahn BC, Wang XL, Mikael LG, et al. Betaine supplementation improves the atherogenic risk factor profile in a transgenic mouse model of hyperhomocysteinemia. Atherosclerosis. 2007;195(2):e100-e107.

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Betaine: MedlinePlus Drug Information

pronounced as (bee’ ta een)

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Betaine is used to treat homocystinuria (an inherited condition in which the body cannot break down a certain protein, causing build-up of homocysteine in the blood). Increased amounts of homocysteine in the body can cause symptoms such as extreme tiredness, seizures, dislocation of the lens of the eye, abnormal bone structure, osteoporosis (weak bones), blood clots, or decreased weight or rate of weight gain and slowed development in children. Betaine is in a class of medications called nutrients. It works by decreasing the amount of homocysteine in the blood.

Betaine comes as a powder to be mixed with food or drink and taken by mouth. It is usually taken twice a day. Take betaine at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take betaine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of betaine and gradually increase your dose based on your body’s response to the medication.

Your doctor may tell you to take other medications such as vitamin B₆ (pyridoxine), vitamin B₁₂ (cobalamin), and folic acid together with betaine.

Betaine controls homocystinuria but does not cure it. Continue to take betaine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking betaine without talking to your doctor.

To use betaine powder, follow these steps:

1. Shake the bottle gently before removing the cap.
2. Using the measuring scoop provided, measure the number of scoops your doctor has prescribed. One level scoop of powder is equal to 1 gram of betaine.
3. Mix the measured amount of powder with 4 to 6 ounces (120 to 180 milliliters) of water, juice, milk, or formula until the powder is completely dissolved. Betaine powder may also be mixed with food.
4. Drink or eat the mixture immediately.
5. Replace the cap tightly on the bottle after using.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before taking betaine,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to betaine or any other medications.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any medical condition.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking betaine, call your doctor.

Be sure to follow all dietary recommendations made by your doctor or dietitian.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Betaine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if this symptom is severe or does not go away:

• nausea

Some side effects can be serious.

If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• confusion
• drowsiness
• behavior changes
• headache
• vomiting
• seizures
• loss of consciousness

Betaine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can’t be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

• Cystadane^®

• Trimethylglycine

Last Revised – 09/15/2016

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Betaine in cosmetics – uses and benefits

Origin and production of betaine for cosmetics

Betaine is of natural origin. This substance is found in plants, as well as in the tissues of many animals – for example, crustaceans. But for cosmetic needs, it is extracted exclusively from vegetable raw materials – and specifically from sugar beet juice. Due to its natural origin, the component is often used in natural cosmetics, which have special environmental certificates.

In cosmetics, betaine acts as an independent substance that has a large number of useful properties, as well as a stabilizer that improves the performance of the entire formula.

Beneficial properties of betaine for cosmetics

One of the main advantages of betaine is that it has a complex effect on the skin. Among its most important properties, we highlight:

• hydration. Betaine doesn’t just hydrate tissues. It strengthens the membranes between cells, thereby reducing transepidermal moisture loss. That is, the effect of moisturizing gradually increases, accumulates, and over time, the skin suffers much less from the natural evaporation of the liquid;
• softening. With regular use of betaine, the skin becomes velvety, tender and soft;
• removal of redness and irritation. The component works well on problem skin prone to irritation. It also enhances local immunity, due to which the skin becomes healthier and less susceptible to negative environmental factors;
• hair strengthening. Since betaine is also used in hair cosmetics, its properties in this context should also be mentioned. This component in the composition of masks, balms and shampoos soothes and moisturizes the scalp, and also closes the hair scales. With its application, the hair will be stronger, shiny, elastic and healthy. They will be able to better withstand temperature extremes and other negative environmental factors;
• formula stabilization. When betaine is added to the composition of cosmetic products, they become more viscous, uniform, and also foam better.

All these properties have made betaine very popular for the manufacture of various cosmetic formulations.

What cosmetics use betaine

It can be found in a huge number of means, including:

• baby shampoos and washing gels – betaine acts very delicately and is not harmful to babies;
• facial cleansers: gels, milks, foams;
• bath soaps and foams;
• deodorants, antiperspirants – especially formulations intended for sensitive skin;
• face, hand and body creams;
• means to combat age-related changes;
• face masks;
• shaving and aftershave lotions;
• cosmetics for sun protection, as well as for restoring skin after sunburn, sunbathing;
• shampoos, conditioners and hair conditioners.

The concentration of betaine in the formula depends on which specific cosmetics we are talking about. Hair formulations typically use 3.5% and skin cleansers up to 4%. Moisturizing hand and face creams contain up to 3% of this substance. In masks, the concentration can be the same or increased – up to 5%.

Indications for use of cosmetics with betaine

It is worth taking a closer look at this component in cases where the following problems are observed:

• hypersensitivity of the skin and its excessive dryness. Due to the retention of moisture inside the cells, the water-lipid balance is quickly restored;
• the first age-related changes that manifest themselves not only in fine wrinkles, but also in the fact that the skin loses its tone, elasticity, and its color deteriorates. Moisturizing and restoring tissues, betaine helps to significantly prolong youth;
• tangled, frizzy hair. If the curls have become naughty and look bad, products with betaine will restore their shine, smoothness and elasticity.

Please note that betaine is absolutely suitable for any skin type. But it is especially recommended for high dryness, dehydration, sensitivity, as well as for the first age-related changes.

Betaines. Great Russian Encyclopedia

Chemical compoundsChemical compounds

Betaines, intra-salt form of organic compounds containing a carboxyl group and a quaternary nitrogen atom. Sometimes the name “betaines” is extended to other internal (intramolecular) salts of quaternary ammonium, oxonium and sulfonium bases. Betaines are zwitterions with spatial charge separation. The most common representatives are N-trialkyl-substituted amino acid derivatives. Their simplest representative is glycine betaine (CH ₃ ) ₃ N ⁺ CH ₂ COO ^– – first isolated in 1869 by the German chemist K. W. B. Scheibler from sugar beet sugar production waste, from its Latin name ( Beta vulgaris ) was the name of the class. Depending on the position of the nitrogen atom relative to the carboxyl group, α-, β-, γ-betaines, etc. are distinguished.

Physical and chemical properties

Betaines are crystalline substances, usually highly soluble in water.

When heated to 300°C, betaines of N-methylated α-amino acids are converted into methyl esters. Betaines of N-methylated β-amino acids upon distillation give an unsaturated acid and a tertiary amine. Betaines of γ-amino acids, when heated, form a lactone and a tertiary amine.

With salts of heavy metals (lead, gold, platinum) betaines form complexes insoluble in organic solvents, with hydrochloric acid – hydrochlorides.

Production methods

Betaines are prepared by reacting alkyl halides or alkyl sulfates with amino acids, trialkylamines with halocarboxylic acids or β-lactones. When pyridine reacts with maleic anhydride, betaines containing a pyridine ring are obtained.

Participation in metabolism

Methylation of amino acids with the formation of betaines is characteristic of the nitrogen metabolism of many plants and animals. In turn, betaines are donors of methyl groups in metabolic processes. In plants, betaines can act as osmolytes. There are betaines among the alkaloids. These include the simplest pyrrolidine alkaloids stachidrine, betonicin and turicine (betaines of proline, 4-hydroxyproline and allo-4-hydroxyproline, respectively), the pyridine alkaloid trigonelin (N-methylnicotinic acid betaine), and the indole alkaloid hypophorin (tryptophan betaine). Myokinin (double betaine of ornithine) has been isolated from the muscles of humans and other mammals.

Uses

Some betaines have medical uses, such as glycine betaine hydrochloride, which is part of the digestive enzyme preparation acidin-pepsin. Synthetic betaines containing hydrophobic alkyl radicals C ₁₀ –C ₁₈ are amphoteric surfactants used as emulsifiers, dispersants, antistatic agents, wetting agents in the paper, leather, textile and metalworking industries.

Typical representatives

Glycine betaine (N-carboxymethyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium hydroxide, internal salt), (CH ₃ ) ₃ N ⁺ CH ₂ COO ^– , the most common and well-known representative of these compounds, commonly referred to simply as betaine. In plants, it acts as an osmolyte. Molar mass 117.147 g/mol. Melting point 293 °C. Decomposes at 310 °C. It is a colorless crystalline substance that crystallizes as a monohydrate and loses water when heated to 100 °C. Has a sweet taste. Glycine betaine (monohydrate) is soluble in water [157 g/100 ml (19°C)], ethanol [8.6 g/100 ml (18 °C)], methanol, very slightly soluble in diethyl ether, chloroform. The acid dissociation constant (pK _a ) is 1.83. On melting, it isomerizes to dimethylaminoacetic acid methyl ester. Betaine is obtained from molasses – a waste product of beet sugar production, as well as synthetically – by the interaction of trimethylamine and chloroacetic acid. Betaine chloride is used in medicine as a substitute for hydrochloric acid.

Carnitine [γ-trimethyl-β-hydroxybutyrobetaine; N-(3-carboxy-2-hydroxypropyl)-N,N,N-trimethylammonium hydroxide, internal salt], (CH ₃ ) ₃ N ⁺ CH ₂ CH(OH)CH ₂ COO ^– . Contains an asymmetric carbon atom, has optical activity, exists in the form of two enantiomers – L-carnitine and D-carnitine. In wildlife, carnitine is predominantly found in the L-configuration. Present in the tissues of animals, plants, microorganisms. Molar mass 161.199 g/mol. Melting point of DL-carnitine 195-197°C (degraded), L-carnitine 197-198°C (degraded). L-carnitine is a colorless crystalline substance, highly soluble in water and hot ethanol, practically insoluble in acetone, diethyl ether, acetonitrile and benzene. Hygroscopic. Acid dissociation constant (pK _a ) is 3.80. Higher animals synthesize L-carnitine from L-lysine and use it to transport fatty acids across membranes from the cytoplasm to the mitochondria. In medicine, it is used as a means to correct energy metabolism disorders.

L-ergothioneine (thioneine; thiolhistidinetrimethylbetaine; 2-mercaptohistidine betaine), natural amino acid, sulfur-containing histidine derivative. L-ergothioneine is synthesized in actinobacteria, cyanobacteria and fungi from hercynin (histidine betaine).