Betaine is widely found in plants and animals.  Beet is one of the plants with the highest content of betaine, and the molasses it contains is the main source of betaine. The molecular formula of betaine is C5H11NO2, the molecular weight is 117.15, and the scientific name is trimethylammonium ethyl lactone or glycine trimethylamine inner salt.Raising pigs with betaine can bring considerable economic benefits to farmers.  

Methyl is essential for the synthesis of certain amino acids and glands in pigs, and is so unstable that it can only be supplied from food. Choline and methionine are important sources of methyl in pigs.  Betaine also provides methyl groups, and thus partially replaces methionine in the body.  Betaine is closely related to the metabolism of methionine. Betaine can supply methyl, thus reducing the consumption of methionine and enhancing the physiological effect of methionine. The exogenous betaine absorbed by animals is mainly stored in the liver and provides methyl groups for the chemical synthesis of important substances in the body.  

Studies have shown that the combination of betaine and ion-carrier coccidioides can significantly reduce the risk of animal infection with coccidioides,and then improve its growth function and resistance.  Especially for piglets, adding betaine in the feed can improve the intestinal function of both, prevent diarrhea and improve feed intake, which has outstanding practical value.  In addition, adding betaine to the diet can relieve the stress response of piglets, and then improve the feed intake and growth rate of weaned piglets.