What is the Betaine Diet?

Raw spinach salad contains the natural compound betaine.

Betaine is a compound found in plants such as spinach, wheat germ, wheat bran and beets. It is also found in marine invertebrates, such as crustaceans and mollusks. It is sometimes used as a supplement to treat depression or autism, as well as for a rare disease, cystathionine beta-synthase deficiency, and related conditions. Betaine also helps with liver function and cellular reproduction.

Foods Containing Betaine

Betaine is a methyl donor, as are S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), folic acid, and vitamins B6 and B12Grains. The University of Maryland states that betaine carries methyl molecules in the body to help make chemical processes work.

Nuts, seeds and meats contain small amounts of betaine, as do sweet beets, spinach, wheat germ and bran. Mollusks and crustaceans also contain betaine. However, according to an article on the Health Library website, most betaine in food is destroyed during cooking or processing.

Raw Foods with Betaine

Raw sunflower seeds are a natural source of betaine.

To get the benefit of betaine in a natural diet, eat raw foods such as raw spinach salad and wheat germ on your salad or on yogurt. Spinach and wheat germ are two excellent sources of betaine that can complement a healthy diet. Raw sunflower seeds are also a natural source of betaine.

Carnitine --Turning Fat Into Energy

Betaine also helps the body make carnitine which is a nutrient that helps the body turn fat into energy. The body needs a balanced amount of betaine, while too much betaine may possibly contribute to high cholesterol.

References

• Health Library: Trimethylglycine (Betaine)
• Ray Sahelian, M.D.: Betaine
• Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry: Determination of Trigonelline in Seeds and Vegetable Oils by Capillary Electrophoresis as a Novel Marker for the Detection of Adulterations in Olive Oils
• University of Maryland Medical Center: Betaine