betaine anhydrous

What Does Betaine Anhydrous Do?

Betaine anhydrous, also known as trimethylglycine (TMG), is a powerful osmolyte and methyl donor that helps your body maintain fluid balance and supports critical metabolic processes. It works by protecting cells from environmental stress and enhancing the body's ability to produce creatine and protein.

• Increased Power Output: Betaine has been shown to improve vertical jump power and bench press capacity by optimizing muscle fiber recruitment and protein synthesis.
• Enhanced Muscular Endurance: As an osmolyte, it helps your muscle cells stay hydrated under the heat and stress of a workout, allowing you to grind out more reps before reaching failure.
• Improved Body Composition: Clinical studies suggest that consistent supplementation can help shift your body composition by simultaneously supporting lean muscle gain and fat loss.
• Methylation Support: It facilitates the conversion of homocysteine to methionine, a process vital for cellular repair, liver health, and the production of neurotransmitters.
• Creatine Synthesis: By providing methyl groups, betaine supports the body's natural production of creatine, further fueling ATP regeneration during heavy lifting.

Clinical vs. Gym Bro Dosing

Key Insight: To unlock the true performance-enhancing effects of betaine anhydrous, you must take it daily. Unlike caffeine, which works instantly, betaine requires cellular saturation. If your pre-workout only contains 1.5g, consider supplementing with an additional 1g on the side or on rest days to hit the 2.5g clinical threshold.

Side Effects & Warnings

• Digestive Issues: Some users may experience mild bloating, nausea, or stomach cramps, particularly if taken in high doses on an empty stomach.
• Body Odor: In rare instances, the metabolism of betaine can produce a "fishy" odor in sweat or breath, though this is typically only seen at very high dosages.
• Cholesterol Shifts: Some data suggests a slight increase in total cholesterol levels, though this is generally not a concern for healthy individuals with a balanced diet.

Tip: If you have a sensitive stomach, try splitting your daily dose into two smaller servings taken with meals rather than consuming the full 2.5g in a single pre-workout shake.