Betaine Anhydrous (Trimethylglycine)

What Is Betaine Anhydrous?

Betaine anhydrous (also called trimethylglycine or TMG) is a naturally occurring compound derived from choline metabolism, found in foods such as beets, spinach, and whole grains. The "anhydrous" form is the water-free crystalline powder. It is a methyl donor — one of its primary functions is donating a methyl group to homocysteine, converting it to methionine via betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT). This reduces circulating homocysteine levels, which have been associated with cardiovascular risk at elevated concentrations.

Important clarification — not betaine HCl: Betaine HCl (betaine hydrochloride) is a different product used in digestive health contexts as a source of hydrochloric acid. Betaine anhydrous (TMG) is the correct form for sports nutrition and methylation support applications. Ordering "betaine" without specifying "anhydrous" or "TMG" may result in the wrong product.

Specification & Form

How It's Sourced

YNP Ingredients sources Betaine Anhydrous from certified manufacturers in China, supplied with FSSAI-compliant documentation.

Applications

• Pre-workout and sports performance formulations
• Cardiovascular and methylation support supplements
• Liver health products (betaine supports hepatic fat metabolism)
• General wellness formulations targeting homocysteine management

Industries Served

Sports Nutrition · Nutraceuticals/Dietary Supplements

Evidence Note

Craig (2004) published a comprehensive review establishing betaine's role in methyl donation, homocysteine metabolism, and cellular osmolyte function, confirming betaine's ability to reduce circulating homocysteine in human studies. A controlled trial by Cholewa et al. (2013), using 2.5 g betaine anhydrous daily for six weeks, found significant improvements in bench press volume and body composition (reduced fat mass, improved lean body mass) versus placebo in resistance-trained men — though the effect size was modest and the evidence base is considerably smaller than creatine's. The NIH recognises betaine (as a choline metabolite) as playing a role in liver function, homocysteine metabolism, and as an osmolyte.

Buyer Checklist

• Confirmed "anhydrous" form (not betaine HCl) is what your formulation requires
• Label claims reviewed against the evidence base above
• COA confirming assay/purity (as trimethylglycine %)
• FSSAI-compliant documentation confirmed
• 25 kg pack size and MOQ confirmed

Common Mistakes

Ordering betaine HCl when betaine anhydrous (TMG) is needed. These are distinct products with different applications — betaine HCl is an acidifier used in digestive support; betaine anhydrous (TMG) is the methyl donor/osmolyte used in sports nutrition.

Making claims equivalent in strength to creatine evidence. Betaine has a growing evidence base but is not at the level of creatine's multi-decade research foundation. Position language accordingly.