DMG – N,N,-dimethylglycine

DMG is a glycine receptor agonist that is thought to have anticonvulsant activity in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) – deficient seizure models. Although DMG is in popular clinical use, controlled trials to date show little anticonvulsant activity.

DMG is a normal, physiologically active nutrient found in low levels in foods such as cereal grains, seeds and meats. It is a common intermediate in cellular metabolism of choline and betaine to methionine and participates indirectly in transmethylation reactions through the oxidation of its methyl groups to formaldehyde and subsequent transfer of these one-carbon fragments to folic acid.

DMG is not a vitamin although common usage has led to the acceptance of its being referred to as “B-15”. DMG seems to have the following benefits:

1. – increases 0₂ uptake in a low oxygen environment.
2. – is able to retard the normal increase in lactic acid in exercise.
3. – causes a fall in lactic acid levels after exercise in athletes.
4. – seems to increase the anaerobic threshold of highly trained athletes.
5. – can enhance both humoral and cell-mediated immunity.
6. – appears to be a metabolic enhancer.
7. – increases energy reserves of glycogen, creatinine phosphate and phospholipid in skeletal and cardiac muscle.
8. – stimulates cytochrome oxidase and succinate dehydrogenase activity in muscle tissue which improves metabolic pathways for energy utilization during exercise.
9. – allows for more rapid recovery from exercise-induced fatigue in humans and animals.

I have been unable to find any evidence for the use of this compound in Familial Shar-Pei Fever or in the prevention or treatment of amyloidosis. It is used for improvement in endurance and performance. Anecdotal accounts have DMG reducing recovery times, restoring appetite and promoting recovery from weight loss in patients with parvoviral gastroenteritis and toxemias with liver involvement.

(Reference: Canine Practice Vol.9, issue 6:7-13, 1982)