Choline can be converted to betaine, and betaine can no longer be reduced to choline.
 
In animals, betaine can transfer methyl groups to homocysteine ​​to synthesize methionine, which is metabolized from methionine. There is not much homocysteine ​​in natural feeds. During the conversion process, betaine itself is not converted to methionine, it only gives methyl groups, and there is no net production of new methionine during the cycle. Therefore, betaine only improves the utilization of methionine, and it cannot replace methionine for protein synthesis. Homocysteine ​​can also receive the methyl group of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate to form methionine. In general, homocysteine ​​formed by methyl transfer is no longer methylated to methionine, and is used to synthesize cysteine. Therefore, the overall process is irreversible (Lowry et al, 1987).
 
If the supply of choline and betaine is insufficient, there is a lack of methyl transfer, so the methyl group can only come from methionine, and methionine cannot be regenerated, which will affect protein synthesis. If methionine is oversupplied and choline and betaine are deficient, then a large amount of homocysteine ​​accumulates in the body, resulting in tibial chondrodysplasia and atherosclerosis (Cook, 1994). In mammals and adult livestock, betaine can partially replace choline and methionine. Chicks lack phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase, so betaine and methionine should not be substituted for choline.

Established in 1996. Healthy (Hangzhou) is a trusted ingredient and chemical supplier with products to serve the Food, Nutritional, Pharmaceutical, Cosmetic, Personal Care, Agricultural and Industrial markets.Our headquarter is located in Xiaoshan District,Hangzhou City,Zhejiang Province. Healthy affiliated companies include: Healthy (Henan) Bio-Sci Co.,Ltd., Healthy Hangming Bio-Sci Co.,Ltd., and Healthy (Hangzhou) Pharmaceutical Sci-tech Co.,Ltd., our company has a fully enclosed, automated, and continuous production garden-style modern production base. After the project reaches full capacity, it will produce 200,000 tons of betaine series products (including 50,000 tons of pharmaceutical and food-grade betaine), our products also include choline chloride and L-carnitine, acidity regulator and antioxidant,which are expected to have an annual output value of more than 2.5 billion RMB, and will become a large-scale leader in the global betaine series products.