Method of increasing the conversion of homocysteine to methionine and uses thereof

The present invention provides a method of decreasing total plasma homocyst(e)ine levels in an animal in need of such treatment, comprising the step of administering to said animal a pharmacologically effective dose of a thetin. Further provided is a method of treating hyperhomocyst(e)inemia in an animal in need of such treatment, comprising the step of administering to said animal a pharmacologically effective dose of a thetin. Also provided are novel pharmaceutical and nutritional compositions. Further provided is a method of reducing or eliminating the costly supplementation of methionine, choline, and betaine to protein-containing animal feeds.