The Kidney Molecule (Betaine) That Mimics Your Workout.
For years, scientists have puzzled over the "exercise paradox": why does a single intense workout feel stressful, yet consistent training leads to better health and a longer life?
Well, new multiomics research tracking 13 men over six years finally has the answer, and it comes down to a tiny molecule produced by your kidneys.
The Kidney's Anti-Ageing Signal: Betaine
The study revealed that the key difference between a single running session and a month of training is the kidney's production of Betaine.
· Short-Term: A 5km run triggered stress hormones and temporary inflammation, the metabolic "chaos" you feel right after a hard effort.
· Long-Term: After 25 days of consistent training, the kidneys ramped up production of Betaine. This circulated throughout the body, sending
powerful protective and anti-ageing signals to the DNA and immune system (T cells), adjusting epigenetic marks such as reducing ETS1 expression, and improving gut bacteria.
How It Works: Silencing Chronic Inflammation
Researchers found that Betaine doesn't just reduce stress; it actively blocks a master inflammatory switch called TBK1 (a kinase). By blocking TBK1, Betaine effectively shuts down chronic inflammation, often referred to as "inflammaging," which is a root cause of age-related disease.
The Major Implication: Betaine supplementation alone was shown to mimic many of the benefits of training in older mice, including improved cognitive function, reduced depressive behaviour, and better overall metabolism.
Because Betaine is considered safe and effective, it may be useful for people who cannot exercise regularly.
"This redefines 'exercise as medicine'," says co-corresponding author Dr. Liu Guang-Hui. "This study gives us a fresh way to turn how our body works into something we can target with chemicals. It opens the door to geroprotective treatments that can tweak how multiple organs work together."
Muhdo Research
This largely reinforces our own findings over the last 9 years. We have seen how certain nutrients, such as Betaine, have a positive effect on your Epigenetic Biological Age and improve the expression of certain longevity genes and pathways from analysing thousands of people globally.
Betaine (Trimethylglycine, TMG)
Betaine, also known as trimethylglycine (TMG), is a naturally occurring amino acid derived from choline. It functions primarily as an osmolyte (helping cells maintain hydration and integrity under stress) and in methylation as a methyl donor, which are essential for DNA repair, gene expression, and detoxification.
It’s for this reason that we have included Betaine in our Timeless and our B-Vitamin Complex supplements for its vital and dual role as a methyl donor and osmolyte and positions it as one of your foundations of cellular health and longevity.
Genes such as BHMT, CHDH, and MTHFR govern its metabolism and efficiency, influencing its ability to support critical biological pathways. By promoting cardiovascular health, genomic stability, and cellular resilience, betaine contributes to healthier ageing and an extended healthspan.
Supplementation may provide a practical approach to harnessing Betaine’s benefits, particularly in individuals with genetic variations affecting its metabolism.
Genetic Regulation of Betaine Metabolism
The metabolism and utilisation of Betaine are influenced by several key genes and enzymes and is synthesised in the body through the oxidation of choline, a process facilitated by the enzyme encoded by the CHDH gene (choline dehydrogenase).
Once formed, Betaine acts as a methyl donor in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine, a reaction catalysed by betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT), encoded by the BHMT gene.
Variations in the BHMT gene can affect the efficiency of homocysteine remethylation,
influencing cardiovascular health and the risk of hyperhomocysteinemia.
Additionally, the MTHFR gene indirectly interacts with betaine pathways by influencing folate metabolism. Folate and betaine pathways often compensate for each other in methylation processes, underscoring their interconnectedness.
