NOW Foods TMG supplies 1,000 mg of trimethylglycine in a single coated tablet, 100 tablets per bottle, dispatched next working day from Dublin.

TMG is short for trimethylglycine. It is also called betaine, the name it was given when it was first isolated from beetroot, and it occurs naturally in wheat bran, wheat germ, beetroot and spinach. Betaine is one of a small number of food substances that holds an authorised EU health claim, which is set out in full further down this page together with the intake conditions attached to it.

This is a single-ingredient food supplement. There are no added vitamins, minerals, botanicals, flavourings or sweeteners. Because each tablet carries a full 1,000 mg, you can set your intake in 1,000 mg steps rather than being tied to the manufacturer's larger serving size.

Supplement facts

No Nutrient Reference Value (NRV) has been established for betaine, so no %NRV figure is given. NRVs exist only for the vitamins and minerals listed in Annex XIII of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, and betaine is neither a vitamin nor a mineral.

Ingredients: Trimethylglycine (betaine anhydrous), microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, vegetarian coating, stearic acid (vegetable source), croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate (vegetable source).

Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut or sesame ingredients. Produced in a facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.

Key features

• 1,000 mg trimethylglycine per tablet, so intake can be set in 1,000 mg steps
• Betaine holds an authorised EU health claim, stated in full below with its conditions of use
• Single-ingredient formula with no added flavourings or sweeteners
• No gelatine in the tablet: vegetarian coating, plant-source stearic acid and magnesium stearate
• 100 tablets per bottle, a 50-day supply at 2 tablets daily
• Held in stock in Ireland and dispatched next working day from Dublin, with no customs charge

How to take it

The EU register names 1.5 g of betaine per day as the intake at which the beneficial effect is obtained. That is 1 to 2 tablets daily, taken with water and with food.

The manufacturer's label permits a higher ceiling of up to 6 tablets in a day. At 1,000 mg per tablet that comes to 6 g, which is above the 4 g figure named in the register, so we do not suggest it. Most people buying betaine for the authorised effect take 1 to 2 tablets daily.

Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. For adults aged 18 and over.

Frequently asked questions

What is NOW Foods TMG 1000 mg?

It is a single-ingredient food supplement supplying 1,000 mg of trimethylglycine in each coated tablet, with 100 tablets in a bottle. There are no added vitamins, minerals, botanicals, flavourings or sweeteners.

Is TMG the same thing as betaine?

Yes. Trimethylglycine is the chemical description: a glycine molecule carrying three methyl groups. Betaine is the name it was given when it was first isolated from beetroot. Supplement labels use the two names interchangeably, and EU law uses "betaine".

How much is in each tablet?

1,000 mg of trimethylglycine per tablet. A full bottle of 100 tablets contains 100 g in total.

What is the authorised EU health claim for betaine?

Betaine contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism. The claim is listed in Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 and may be used on a food containing at least 500 mg of betaine per portion, which one tablet exceeds. The register requires two further statements: that the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 1.5 g of betaine, and that a daily intake in excess of 4 g may significantly increase blood cholesterol levels.

How many tablets should I take?

The intake named in the EU register for the authorised effect is 1.5 g of betaine daily, which is 1 to 2 tablets. The manufacturer's label allows a higher ceiling of up to 6 tablets, but 6 tablets supply 6 g, which sits above the 4 g figure in the register. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. If you are unsure what is appropriate for you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

How long does one bottle last?

That depends on your intake. At 1 tablet daily a bottle lasts 100 days, and at 2 tablets daily it lasts 50 days. The label counts a serving as 3 tablets, which is why it states 33 servings per container.

Is it suitable for vegetarians and vegans?

The tablet contains no gelatine. It uses a vegetarian coating, and both the stearic acid and the magnesium stearate are stated on the label as vegetable source. NOW Foods labels the product as suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

What about allergens?

The label states the product is not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut or sesame ingredients, and that it is produced in a facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens. That is a "not manufactured with" statement rather than a certified free-from status, so if you have a diagnosed allergy, take the shared-facility wording into account.

Is TMG sold as a food supplement in Ireland?

Yes. Betaine is sold in food supplements across the EU, and it is one of the substances carrying an authorised health claim in the EU register. Food supplements placed on the Irish market are regulated by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.

Are there any precautions?

For adults aged 18 and over. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. A daily intake of betaine in excess of 4 g may significantly increase blood cholesterol levels. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking any medication or under medical supervision, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before use. Keep the bottle tightly closed and keep the freshness sachet inside, as the tablets are sensitive to moisture.

How is it sent out, and will I pay customs?

Stock is held in Ireland and dispatched next working day from Dublin by DPD. Because it ships within Ireland there is no customs charge and no import handling fee.