Vitamin B16, also known as dimethylglycine (DMG), is derived from the amino acid glycine and is actually more of a dietary supplement than a vitamin. Medically, vitamin B16 isn’t recognized as a vitamin because a lack of B16 does not lead to any negative effects in your body (as opposed to other vitamin deficiencies like vitamin D, for example). Instead, experts prefer to call this substance DMG.
Here’s more of what you need to know about vitamin B16 and DMG.
What Exactly Is It?
DMG is a derivative of the amino acid glycine, and it has a similar chemical structure to a water-soluble vitamin. It is found naturally in plant and animal cells and is produced in these cells when your body metabolizes choline, according to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC).
Sources of DMG
Physiologically, DMG is a byproduct of choline. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, choline is an essential nutrient that helps your body with metabolism. Choline is naturally found in several types of foods.
Some foods that are rich in choline include:
- Beef liver
- Eggs
- Soybeans
- Fish
- Chicken
- Beans
- Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower
Choline and DMG are also available in supplement form, but before taking any vitamins or supplements, it’s important to reach out to a healthcare professional for their expertise, as they can offer you individualized health advice.
Uses and Benefits of DMG
No clinical guidelines from major societies currently recommend DMG for any indication. Most evidence is preclinical, meaning it was studied prior to being tested in humans or from small human studies. Clinical effectiveness remains unproven.
However, the MSKCC explains that DMG may have several potential uses, although significantly more research is needed to verify these claims. At this time, the potential benefits of DMG are very limited, but early claims and manufacturers suggest that it may improve athletic performance, boost growth and immune system functioning, and decrease the frequency of seizures in people with epilepsy.
One specific in vitro research study claims that it can improve skin healing. Before these benefits can be widely recognized, however, the effectiveness of DMG needs to be shown in research studies and human clinical trials.
You should always check in with a healthcare professional before taking any vitamins or supplements, as they are not regulated by the FDA and cannot be verified for what they contain.
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