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Imagine stumbling upon a molecule that supports heart health and acts as a natural mood booster.
Well, that’s TMG – a compound found naturally in the body that may improve your heart health, mood, and athletic performance. It’s short for trimethylglycine but is also called betaine or betaine anhydrous. It consists of a glycine molecule and three other methyl groups.
Research suggests it promotes liver health and plays a role in methylation, the process of forming DNA. However, it’s most well-known for metabolizing homocysteine – an amino acid in the blood linked to an increased risk of heart issues and other health complications.
TMG donates one of its three methyl groups to homocysteine, converting it into a compound called methionine. This process is important as it keeps homocysteine levels under control.
If you want to get in on the action, this article lists the best TMG supplements on the market.
We’ve researched and vetted the best TMG supplements on the market – including some hidden gems you won’t find on any other “best” lists.
Plus, all the products are third-party tested. If you choose any product on our list, you can’t go wrong.
Best Overall TMG supplement: Renue by Science TMG (code “RFS10” for 10% off)
Best TMG Supplement for Anti-Aging: Codeage Liposomal Nicotinamide Riboside
Best TMG for Methylation: Kirkman Labs TMG Powder with B12 and folic acid
Best TMG Powder: Life Extension TMG
Best Bulk TMG Supplement: PureBulk TMG
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Renue by Science TMG gets our top spot for its quality and quantity. It comes in 500 mg capsules, allowing you to stack up for a higher dose.
Renue by Science third-party tests and makes its products in the USA. If you don’t want to take our word for it, you can find a certificate of analysis on their website.
Their TMG is free of preservatives, artificial flavors and colors, and sweeteners. It’s also allergen-free and produced in an FDA-approved facility.
This commitment to quality makes Renue by Science TMG stand out on this list.
Each bottle contains 230 capsules. Plus, you get 10% off when you use our code RFS10.
Renue by Science TMG is a great way to support methylation, promoting overall health and well-being.
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PartiQlar TMG stands out because it uses Pure TMG at a good dose and a fair price. It’s a simple formula with nothing but TMG.
Another great benefit of this product is it’s made in the USA and comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee. So if it doesn’t work for you, there’s no risk.
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Kirkman Labs TMG is a simple choice for TMG newbies and vets alike.
Each bottle includes 120 capsules of 500 mg of betaine derived from beets. This gives beginners a great starting dose while allowing more experienced TMG users to stack their dose.
Kirkman Labs TMG is gluten and casein-free and comes in a vegetarian capsule, making it suitable for different diets.
Additionally, Kirkman Labs uses the Ultra Tested® protocol, the highest standard of purity testing in the supplement industry. Each batch is tested for more than 950 environmental contaminants, ensuring the product is free from common allergens, pesticides, and toxins. This rigorous testing standard reflects a commitment to producing supplements of the highest quality.
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Codeage Liposomal Nicotinamide Riboside+ is an advanced anti-aging formula. While it isn’t a pure TMG supplement, it contains other ingredients that work synergistically, namely Nicotinamide Riboside (NR). NR is a potent longevity supplement getting a lot of buzz – we’ve written about it here.
Each serving combines 500 mg of NR with TMG and trans-pterostilbene.
The synergy between NR and TMG supports healthy homocysteine levels, energy production, and cellular health as you age. Furthermore, for those taking NAD+ boosting supplements like NR, TMG becomes even more crucial. These supplements can lead to depleted methyl group levels in the body, and TMG restores these levels.
Trans-pterostilbene, another key ingredient, is an antioxidant that works with NR and TMG to defend against oxidative stress, further promoting cellular health and longevity.
The cool thing about this product is its liposomal delivery system. Liposomes are small fat particles that surround the nutrients, ensuring they are protected from the digestive tract and readily absorbed.
It is vegan, non-GMO, and free from gluten, dairy, and soy, making it suitable for various dietary preferences and needs.
Codeage is committed to producing high-quality supplements. Manufactured in the USA in a cGMP-certified facility, this supplement undergoes rigorous third-party testing to ensure purity and potency.
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Source Naturals TMG delivers 750 mg of trimethylglycine in every serving. It also comes in a veggie capsule, making it suitable for vegetarian diets. The company recommends taking it with other methyl donor supplements like vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, and folic acid for additional benefits.
Source Naturals use a third-party certifying body to confirm products are manufactured under strict GMP conditions and compliant with FDA regulations.
Overall, Source Naturals TMG makes getting trimethylglycine a breeze.
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Each bottle of ProHealth TMG Pro contains 120, 1000 mg tablets of pure betaine anhydrous.
It is 3rd party tested for purity and heavy metals. Plus, it’s also soy and gluten-free and comes in a vegetarian capsule, making it suitable for a wide range of diets.
This product is notable for its high potency and commitment to quality, making it an excellent choice.
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Kirkman Labs also has a TMG powder with folic acid and vitamin B12 to support methylation processes in the body. This creates a powerful trio of nutrients to support heart health, liver function, and cognitive health.
One serving (⅓ teaspoon) gives you 1000 mg of TMG, 666 mcg of folic acid, and 6 mcg of vitamin B12.
The powder allows for flexible dosing and easy incorporation into daily routines, as it mixes easily into beverages or food. It comes in an 8 oz container, providing 133 servings! It’s great value.
Kirkman Labs, a trusted name in the supplement industry, is renowned for producing high-quality, pure, and effective supplements. Their focus on rigorous testing and adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) ensures you receive products that are not only effective but also safe.
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When it comes to capsule-based supplements, Now Foods TMG might be the best bang for your buck.
Every bottle offers 100, 1000 mg capsules of pure betaine anhydrous. It also comes in a veggie capsule, making it vegetarian and vegan-friendly.
It is non-GMO, vegan-friendly, and free from common allergens such as wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, and tree nuts.
A bottle provides 33 servings if taking three per day.
Family-owned since 1968, Now Foods third-party tests its ingredients for purity and potency. They also manufacture in a GMP-certified facility.
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PureBulk, founded in 2008, is committed to providing high-quality supplements at affordable prices. Their TMG powder is ideal if you want to buy it in bulk.
It provides 750 mg of high-quality TMG per serving. You can choose sizes from as little as 25 grams up to 1.5 kg.
The powder has a mildly tart and sweet umami flavor and dissolves easily in water, making it easy to incorporate into your daily routine. Overall, powder helps you adjust the dose and may even improve bioavailability.
One of the standout features of this supplement is its purity and concentration. PureBulk ensures its TMG powder contains no fillers, additives, or anti-caking agents.
Plus, each batch undergoes extensive third-party testing in accredited labs in the USA. This confirms identity, purity, and potency, giving you confidence that you’re getting the best.
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Life Extension is known for its dedication to extending the healthy human lifespan. They focus on high-quality, scientifically validated products and have been a trusted name in the health and wellness industry for years.
Their TMG is a budget-friendly option, offering 500 mg liquid vegetarian capsules for easy absorption.
A bottle gives you 30 servings of TMG if you take two capsules per day.
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Life Extension also offers its TMG in powder form. Like its capsule version, Life Extension TMG Powder offers 500 mg of betaine anhydrous in every scoop. It is also gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly.
Every bottle offers 97 servings if you take one scoop per day.
Although we ranked these supplements, we want you to decide on the best product for your needs.
Here’s what we took into consideration when ranking these products.
The supplement industry isn’t FDA-regulated, making it challenging to find a reputable supplement.
That’s why we only select companies that adhere to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) regulations and have their products third-party tested. This is probably the most important thing to consider when buying a supplement.
Most studies on TMG use doses ranging from 500 to 900 mg. So, we looked for supplements offering doses in this range.
We also looked for supplements free from additives and artificial flavors, so you get just what you need and nothing else.
Living our healthiest lives can get expensive. That’s why we selected high-quality products that won’t hurt your wallet.
TMG (trimethylglycine) is an amino acid in the human body that consists of three methyl groups attached to a glycine molecule.
Commonly found in beets, TMG is known for donating methyl groups to other molecules to support a variety of bodily processes.
Methyl donation is particularly important for something called methylation, essential for DNA repair, detoxification, gene expression, and producing neurotransmitters.
Methylation tends to decrease with age, leading to various health issues – which is where TMG supplements can help. Basically, it replenishes the ‘methyl pool’ in your body needed for optimal metabolism.
TMG is also effective for converting homocysteine to methionine, which is crucial for alleviating depression symptoms and supporting heart and liver health.
As you can see, TMG isn’t just a one-trick pony.
Whether you’re looking to boost your wellness routine or support specific health goals, TMG might be worth considering!
Let’s explore some of the most common health benefits of TMG supplements.
High homocysteine levels are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Thankfully, by naturally lowering homocysteine levels, a TMG supplement may support cardiovascular health and reduce your risk of heart disease.
For example, a review of five trials found that taking 4 grams of TMG per day for 6 weeks reduced blood homocysteine levels.
Another review found that taking TMG lowered homocysteine levels without affecting blood pressure or triglyceride levels.
The relationship between TMG and exercise performance is still being explored.
However, it’s speculated that TMG may reduce fatigue, promote protein production, and increase creatine levels (a protein that supports muscle strength).
One review highlighted that TMG improved muscle power and increased strength in two studies. However, the same review also found no relationship between TMG and exercise performance or strength in other studies.
Overall, we need more research to confirm the claims of TMG improving athletic performance.
Recent research, like this study from 2020, highlights a link between high homocysteine levels and depression.
Based on this, TMG may relieve depression symptoms by lowering high homocysteine levels.
On top of this, some research suggests TMG may enhance the effects of S-adenosyl-methionine (SAMe), a supplement for depression.
A study showed that participants with depression who took SAMe with TMG reported more improvement in depression symptoms than participants who took SAMe alone.
More research is needed to make any conclusive claims. Moreover, dietary supplements are NOT to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Rather, we highlight this research to explain that TMG may have mood-boosting effects.
TMG supplements may support blood sugar regulation by improving insulin sensitivity – how easily the body uses insulin to push glucose into the cells to use or store.
This animal study found TMG reduced insulin resistance.
Unfortunately, the studies are on lab animals, so we need more clinical studies to confirm the benefits in humans.
Still have questions about TMG supplements? We’ve got you covered.
TMG plays a crucial role in methylation and is essential for converting homocysteine to methionine. This may indirectly support the production of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe). SAMe is involved in creating nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) for energy production and cellular processes.
While TMG does not directly increase NAD, its role in methylation may support pathways that lead to healthy NAD+ production.
Cortisol is a stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Levels can become elevated from chronic stress, leading to poor sleep, anxiety, and burnout.
However, there is limited direct research on TMG’s effect on cortisol levels. While its role in overall cellular function might contribute to better stress management, TMG doesn’t directly lower cortisol levels.
If you want to regulate your cortisol levels, read our article on the best supplements to reduce cortisol.
Yes. In fact, Dr. David Sinclair combines TMG with NMN as part of his longevity stack.
NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide) is a precursor to NAD+, an anti-aging compound that supports cellular energy production. Supplementation with NMN boosts NAD+ levels in the body. However, NMN actually “uses” up methyl groups when it’s metabolized.
Essentially, taking TMG is a good way to ensure your body has plenty of methyl groups for healthy methylation. So, combining TMG with NMN could enhance the overall effectiveness of NAD+ synthesis in the body.
As I said, Dr. Sinclair takes them together. His longevity research is fascinating, and he’s leading the charge when it comes to the best supplements to support a long and healthy life.
That said, talk to your doctor if you have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications.
To read more about the interesting benefits of NMN, check out our article on the best NMN supplements.
When used as directed, TMG does not come with side effects. It may cause digestive issues like bloating, cramps, indigestion, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting in high doses.
Some research suggests that TMG may cause fluid buildup around the brain due to its ability to increase methionine in the blood. But the likelihood of this happening is rare.
Stop using TMG immediately and consult a healthcare professional if you experience side effects.
It is safe to take TMG every day when taking it within recommended limits. But the research on the long-term effects of TMG is sparse. It is best to check in with a health professional before making TMG a part of your daily routine.
Most supplement brands recommend taking 500 to 2000 mg of TMG per day. Most studies use anywhere from 500-9,000 mg per day, divided into multiple doses.
However, research has found that TMG is safe up to 15 grams per day.
You can take TMG at any time of the day. Most people have TMG in the morning or as recommended by a healthcare professional.
TMG and SAMe (S-Adenosylmethionine) are methyl donors, playing crucial roles in the methylation processes.
However, SAMe is more directly involved in neurotransmitter synthesis and mood regulation. TMG may be better for homocysteine metabolism and cardiovascular health.
TMG supplements are generally suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets as it’s often derived from plant sources like beets.
However, always check the supplement label to see whether the brand uses gelatin-based or plant-based capsules.
TMG is a natural health supplement, so the time it takes to see the effects varies.
You may notice the benefits to your homocysteine levels and mood within a few weeks. However, other benefits may take several months to come into effect.
We suggest staying consistent with your dose and tracking your symptoms and blood markers with the help of your doctor.
As a methyl donor, TMG supplements may interact with certain medications, such as antidepressants and those for cardiovascular health.
Consult with your healthcare provider before starting TMG supplements, especially if you’re on chronic medication.
Yes, TMG is found naturally in a variety of foods. The best sources are spinach, beets, quinoa, wheat, and seafood. That said, cooking methods may affect how much TMG is available from food.
Overall, a supplement gives you a concentrated and standardized dose.
No! Betaine HCI (or betaine hydrochloride) is not the same as trimethylglycine. It’s a separate compound with a different purpose.
While TMG acts as a methyl donor, lowering homocysteine levels, betaine HCI is a digestive aid.
So, make sure your TMG supplement says betaine or betaine anhydrous on the label, not betaine HCI.
Whether a TMG supplement is worth it depends on your health goals.
Based on clinical studies, it may not be the best pre-workout for enhancing athletic performance. However, it’s a great supplement to add to your wellness routine to reduce your risk of heart disease or enhance your mental health.
Disclaimer: We are strangers on the internet, and if you’ve learned anything, it should be not to trust us completely. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking any dietary supplement, including TMG.