TMG (trimethylglycine) may be one of the most important nutrients to prevent heart disease, stroke, liver disease and to slow aging. TMG is also called glycine betaine, but the name “trimethylglycine” signifies that it has three methyl groups attached to each molecule of glycine. In the body, TMG donates one of its methyl groups to cellular DNA, which may help protect DNA against damage and its consequences, cancer and premature aging.
When a TMG methyl group is donated to a molecule of homocysteine, it is converted first to methionine then to S-adenosyl-methionine (SAMe). No “safe” level of homocysteine has been established, suggesting that taking nutrients like TMG could lower the risk of heart attack and stroke, in addition to protecting DNA.