anybody taking TMG (trimethylglycine) to lower v. high homocysteine? - High Cholesterol Message Board

esam · 02-16-2004, 03:33 PM

hi
my husband has extremely high levels of homocysteine in his blood - when last checked it was in the 20's. he is on medication for high cholesterol. it seems to be genetic from his mother's side of the family.

i've been reading online about what he can take, supplement-wise, to help lower his homocysteine levels. he used to take niacin, folic acid, etc etc to lower his cholesterol but has since stopped cause he also has such problems with heartburn (on meds for that too) and the niacin and folate were making it worse. he is eating very healthy now (started south beach diet 6 wks ago) - and he has been exercising too.

i read today about this TMG - anybody familiar with it or taking it? it says to take it with B vitamins and folic acid, zinc, choline, and inositol. i've been looking online too for any other type of "supplement / vitamin" that would lower his homocysteine also.

anybody help? i'd appreciate it.

zip2play · 02-16-2004, 04:24 PM

No on the TMG BUT a big YES on folic acid (1200 mcg. and I should take more).

You state that he had "heartburn (on meds for that too) and the niacin and folate were making it worse." My guess is the 100 or more milligrams of Niacin was causing heartburn but NOT the 1 mg of folate....that's a pretty miniscule amount and couldn' upset a flea's digestion. Almost akin to saying that since Kool-Aid and cyanide caused the deaths at Jonestown, Kool Aid is dangerous (well it IS with all those food dyes, but only slightly so

!)

Have him give JUST the folic acid a try. You have to search for the 800 mg. supplements....hard to find.

bbs615 · 02-17-2004, 04:32 PM

I had been taking 1000 mg of TMG for several months and it did lower my homocysteine level from 11 to 9. I have increased the dosage to 3000 mg daily and won't know if my homocysteine level has further decreased until my next Dr. appointment in May.