DMG and Creatine in the Equine Diet

Do these supplement ingredients improve performance?
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DMG and Creatine in the Equine Diet
Researchers have not conclusively determined whether supplementing horses with DMG offers these beneficial impacts. | Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt/The Horse

Q: As I condition my horse for the spring competition season I’m looking at supplements to both support my horse’s muscle development and help performance. I see DMG and creatine are common ingredients in the supplements I am researching. What are these, and do they improve performance?

A: The acronym “DMG” stands for dimethylglycine, which is a derivative of the amino acid glycine and an ergogenic compound, meaning it’s used to improve performance, recovery, or stamina. Sometimes referred to as vitamin B15, DMG contains two methyl groups, which it can donate to various reactions within the body. These include aerobic energy production pathways that use oxygen. A version with three methyl groups exists, trimethylglycine (also known as betaine).

Dimethylglycine occurs naturally in animals and plants and is an intermediary product of choline metabolism (choline is a water-soluble vitamin involved in the metabolism and transport of fats). It’s thought to enhance muscle creatine levels

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Clair Thunes, PhD, is an equine nutritionist who owns Clarity Equine Nutrition, based in Gilbert, Arizona. She works as a consultant with owners/trainers and veterinarians across the United States and globally to take the guesswork out of feeding horses and provides services to select companies. As a nutritionist she works with all equids, from WEG competitors to Miniature donkeys and everything in between. Born in England, she earned her undergraduate degree at Edinburgh University, in Scotland, and her master’s and doctorate in nutrition at the University of California, Davis. Growing up, she competed in a wide array of disciplines and was an active member of the U.K. Pony Club. Today, she serves as the district commissioner for the Salt River Pony Club.

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