EN
Betaine is a trimethyl derivative of the amino acid glycine. As one of major osmolytes, betaine contributes to the maintenance of water balance in cells and protects cells, proteins and enzymes against adverse environmental conditions (high temperatures, diseases). Therefore, betaine is used to alleviate negative effects of coccidiosis in poultry and diarrhea in piglets. Betaine is known to participate in methylation as a donor of methyl groups. Methyl groups are indispensable for numerous metabolic processes, including the methylation of nucleic acids, and the synthesis of creatine, carnitine and choline. Betaine is involved in methionine and choline metabolism. Dietary betaine supplementation improves the production results of pigs and their carcass quality traits. It has also been documented that betaine can partly replace methionine or choline in diets for pigs. Betaine is also believed to increase the amount of energy available to the organism.