Beetroot, Betaine, and Methylation and immunity
Raw Beetroot contains betaine (trimethylglycine, TMG), which is indeed involved in the body’s methylation cycle.
Betaine helps convert homocysteine → methionine in the liver via the Betaine-Homocysteine Methyltransferase (BHMT) pathway. This supports production of S‑adenosyl methionine (SAMe), which is the body’s main methyl donor.
SAMe is used in hundreds of processes, including:
- Neurotransmitter metabolism (adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine and more)
- Liver detoxification
- DNA methylation
- Hormone metabolism
Methylation Genes
Several genes affect how well the methylation system works.
MTHFR
This gene helps activate folate for methylation. Variants can reduce efficiency of the cycle.
COMT
COMT uses SAMe to methylate catechol compounds, including: Dopamine, Adrenaline, Estrogen metabolites
People with slower COMT variants sometimes describe feeling “wired but tired”, because neurotransmitters clear more slowly.
Magnesium and COMT
COMT requires magnesium as a cofactor, so adequate magnesium can support the enzyme’s activity.
One commonly used form is: Magnesium glycinate. It’s often chosen because it’s well absorbed and gentle on digestion.Glycine and Hormone Metabolism
Betaine contains glycine, and glycine plays roles in: Liver detox pathways, Glutathione production, Neurotransmitter balance
SAMe-dependent methylation reactions also help process catechol estrogens, which is why methylation is sometimes discussed in relation to hormone balance. However, it’s important to note that hormone metabolism involves many systems, not only methylation.
Beetroot for Cough Relief
My mother used to support my immune system with raw beetroot juice, beetroot as well as TMG contains the following:
Nitrates → improve circulation
Polyphenols → anti-inflammatory
Vitamin C and antioxidants
Beetroot should not be consider a substitute for medication for your cough, however, if it does help and your cough is reduced than it is worth investigating your gene pool.
Traditional remedies often worked because they supported nutrition and immunity, even if people didn’t know the chemistry. Nowdays, we might have forgotten than food is still our main medicine and health, but also our own destroyer if we eat non-nutrition dense food! eg. take away food and more…. Let food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food!