Betaine is a neutral chemical compound with both a positively charged and negatively charged functional group. It has several dietary functions and helps prevent heart and liver disease. Betaines function as osmolytes and methyl donors, aiding in liver function, cell reproduction, and preventing disease. They are found in beets, broccoli, grains, shellfish, and spinach. Betaine supplements are also available.
Betaine is a broad term in chemistry that describes any neutral chemical compound with both a positively charged or cationic functional group and a negatively charged or anionic functional group. Functional groups are specific groups of atoms that give the molecules they are attached to specific chemical properties. In a betaine, these functional groups may not be adjacent to each other in molecular structure. Betaines have several dietary functions and help prevent heart and liver disease.
The cationic functional group of a betaine is usually an onium ion. An onium ion is an ion (atom with a positive or negative charge) formed by adding a proton to a neutral molecule. The ammonium ion has the formula NH4+ and is an onium ion. NH3, ammonia, is a neutral molecule. Adding a proton produces ammonium, so ammonium is an onium ion.
The term betaine was originally coined to describe the specific molecule trimethylglycine. Trimethylglycine gets its name from its discovery in sugar beets, scientifically called Beta vulgaris. With the formula (CH3)3N+CH2CO2H, trimethylglycine is a betaine. It has several therapeutic uses and is sometimes used as a digestive aid. It is often referred to as glycine betaine to separate it from the general category of betaines.
Usually, betaines are zwitterions. A zwitterion is a chemical compound that has positive and negative formal charges on different atoms but is, above all, neutral. In compounds like these, the cationic and anionic functional groups oppose and cancel each other out. While the different ends of the compound have distinct and different charges, the overall result is a completely neutral compound.
In many biological systems, betaines function as osmolytes, substances that affect osmosis. Betaines are usually produced or synthesized by cells and serve to protect against various cellular stresses associated with osmosis. The protective actions of betaines work primarily to prevent cellular dehydration.
More and more scientists are recognizing the importance of betaines as methyl donors. Methyl molecules are important aids to many biological and chemical processes in the body. By donating methyl to bodily processes, betaines aid in liver function, cell reproduction, and many other important processes throughout the body. They are also believed to be effective in preventing heart and liver disease and are found in beets, broccoli, grains, shellfish and spinach. Betaine supplements are also made from sugar beets and come in a variety of forms.
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