How a vitamin-like compound helps livers stay fat-free
Alleviation of hepatic fat accumulation by betaine involves reduction of homocysteine via up-regulation of betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT).
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Betaine only worked in liver cells that naturally express BHMT—HepG2 cells (which lack BHMT) were completely unaffected.
Most supplements are assumed to work broadly; this shows a strict biological dependency on a single enzyme, meaning betaine’s effect isn’t universal—even within the liver.
Practical Takeaways
Consider adding betaine-rich foods (beets, spinach, whole grains) or supplements if you have fatty liver risk factors.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Betaine only worked in liver cells that naturally express BHMT—HepG2 cells (which lack BHMT) were completely unaffected.
Most supplements are assumed to work broadly; this shows a strict biological dependency on a single enzyme, meaning betaine’s effect isn’t universal—even within the liver.
Practical Takeaways
Consider adding betaine-rich foods (beets, spinach, whole grains) or supplements if you have fatty liver risk factors.
Publication
Journal
Biochemical and biophysical research communications
Year
2016
Authors
C. Ahn, D. Jun, J. D. Na, Y. Choi, Y. Kim
Related Content
Claims (6)
Taking a supplement called betaine can lower a substance in your blood called homocysteine, which is linked to a higher chance of getting Alzheimer’s—so this supplement might help protect your brain.
When rats take betaine supplements, their livers make more of a special enzyme that helps clean up a harmful chemical called homocysteine, so less of it builds up.
Betaine, a natural compound, can stop a harmful substance (homocysteine) from blocking an important energy-sensing system in one type of liver cell, but not in another—because the first cell type has a special enzyme (BHMT) that the second one doesn’t have enough of.
When there’s too much homocysteine in your blood, it can mess up key energy sensors in your liver, making it harder for the liver to stop storing fat—so more fat builds up inside it.
When rats eat a poor diet that lacks certain nutrients, their livers get fatty—but giving them betaine (a natural compound) helps keep the fat out, probably because it lowers a harmful chemical called homocysteine in the liver.