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==== Heart Health and Homocysteine Levels ==== | ==== Heart Health and Homocysteine Levels ==== | ||
* '''Homocysteine Reduction''': TMG acts as a methyl donor in the conversion of homocysteine, a non-proteinogenic α-amino acid, back to methionine. Elevated homocysteine levels are a known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. By helping to lower these levels, TMG can potentially contribute to reduced risks of heart diseases. | * '''Homocysteine Reduction''': TMG acts as a methyl donor in the conversion of homocysteine, a non-proteinogenic α-amino acid, back to methionine. Elevated homocysteine levels are a known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. By helping to lower these levels, TMG can potentially contribute to reduced risks of heart diseases. The US [[wikipedia:Food_and_Drug_Administration|Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) approved betaine trimethylglycine (also known by the brand name Cystadane) for the treatment of [[wikipedia:Homocystinuria|homocystinuria]], a disease caused by abnormally high [[wikipedia:Homocysteine|homocysteine]] levels at birth. <ref name="homocysteine">{{cite journal|pmid=15550695|first1=P. I.|doi-access=free|display-authors=etal|first3=S. E.|last3=Vollset|first2=P. M.|last2=Ueland|last1=Holm|doi=10.1161/01.ATV.0000151283.33976.e6|pages=379–385|journal=Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol.|date=February 2005|title=Betaine and folate status as cooperative determinants of plasma homocysteine in humans|issue=2|volume=25|title-link=doi}}</ref> | ||
* '''Endothelial Function''': Some studies suggest that TMG might improve endothelial function, thus potentially benefiting cardiovascular health. | * '''Endothelial Function''': Some studies suggest that TMG might improve endothelial function, thus potentially benefiting cardiovascular health. | ||