Betaine and reduction of non-ethanol fatty liver deposits

[Pax]

So... this may be beating a dead horse, but in addition to Betain (trimethylglycine) being a powerful homocysteine antagonist, it also appears to both control and decrease fatty liver depositis from a non-ethanol etiology. In other words, fatty liver deposits caused by: chemicals (as in pro-hormones) can help be controlled and reduced via the use of betaine. Looks like it may have some aid in lowering liver enzyme levels and be synergistic with NAC and R-ALA in aiding the liver in returning to normal functioning.

An Abstract:


Liver Disease
Studies with rats have suggested that betaine may help protect against fatty deposits in the liver, which can occur from chronic alcohol use, protein malnutrition, obesity, poorly controlled diabetes, and other causes. A few studies on people have also been conducted. In one preliminary study, 10 people with fatty liver disease from causes other than alcohol received betaine for up to one year. All of the participants had improvement in liver function tests and a reduced amount of fat and other changes in the liver itself. In another larger, better-designed study that took place in Italy, nearly 200 patients received either betaine, in combination with two other substances, or a placebo. Those who received the betaine combination supplement had improved liver function, reduced fat in the liver, and diminished abdominal pain. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and to see whether it is the betaine that is specifically responsible for the benefit to the liver.


Excerpted from: http://www.medformation.com/ac/CAM.nsf/conssupplements/Betainecs.html

 

[mab904]

Great info...thanks Pax :thumbsup:

 

[Ubiquitous]

Cool Pax... I had known about the homocysteine... it's just good to see more confirmation on how good Betaine can be.

 

[bioman]

As betaine increases SAMe levels, it may be the SAMe that is responsible for the reduction in fatty tissues.

For supplementation purposes though, betaine is much cheaper.

 

[Pax]

Great info...thanks Pax :thumbsup:

wow! anything for you U look great mab. keep it up!!

 

[Beowulf]

Mab, ask him to change his freaky avatar

 

[EasyEJL]

does betaine HCL still do this or does most of it get used up in the making of hydrochloric acid in the stomach?

 

[ZiR RED]

As betaine increases SAMe levels, it may be the SAMe that is responsible for the reduction in fatty tissues.For supplementation purposes though, betaine is much cheaper.

This is correct. SAM is the universal methyl donor. Betaine donates a methyl group to methionine to create SAM. to synthesize VLDL (which is required to mobilize and transport lipids out of the liver) SAM is required in the formation of phosphatidycholine. If you do have lipid accumulations in your liver, you can also expect a transient rise in cholesterol after starting betaine; however, this should level out after a 1-3 months as lipid droplets are cleared from the liver.EasyEJL - betaine HCL contains less betaine per unit (due to the HCL) than betaine anhydrous. I believe 35% of the product is HCL, so you would need to take about 1.3 to 1.4 times as much to get the same effects.

 

[Quadzilla99]

ZiR with the goods, per the usual