It seems like every time we turn around there’s a new study illustrating the benefits of the amino acid betaine (trimethylglycine). The latest one, coming out of the University of Connecticut (Storrs), shows that when weight-trained men took 1.5 grams of betaine twice a day for two weeks, it led to not only an increase in squat strength but also a significantly greater boost in growth hormone and insulinlike growth factor-I as compared to a placebo. In other words, betaine now appears to improve muscle strength, muscle power, muscle endurance and even muscle growth.
Based on the promising results of this study, we’re going to increase our betaine recommendation to 1.5–2 grams twice per day. Take it with your preworkout and postworkout protein shakes.
