Tier 2 — strong

Dietary and supplementary betaine: acute effects on plasma betaine and homocysteine concentrations under standard and postmethionine load conditions in healthy male subjects

Wendy Atkinson, Jane Elmslie, Michael Lever, Stephen T Chambers, Peter M George
The American journal of clinical nutrition 2008 87(3):577-585

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 18326594
DOI
10.1093/ajcn/87.3.577
Funding
Funding was not specified in the indexed record or accessible funding metadata.
Competing interests
A competing-interest declaration was not available in the indexed record or accessible disclosure metadata.

Study snapshot

DesignRandomized crossover controlled trial
ModelHuman participants
Sample8 healthy men
InterventionApproximately 500 mg supplemental betaine or betaine-rich and choline-rich meals versus a control meal
DurationAcute challenges with sampling through 24 hours
EndpointsFood versus supplement; Homocysteine

What the study showed, in plain terms

Published in 2008, this source examined homocysteine, methylation and vascular function. Design: Randomized crossover controlled trial. Sample/model: 8 healthy men. The exposure or intervention was Approximately 500 mg supplemental betaine or betaine-rich and choline-rich meals versus a control meal. Follow-up or treatment period: Acute challenges with sampling through 24 hours.

Food-derived and supplemental betaine raised blood betaine and attenuated the homocysteine rise after methionine loading. Effects on fasting homocysteine were modest.

Only eight men; results concern acute metabolism rather than disease outcomes.

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Continue with TMG and Homocysteine: How Much Can Betaine Lower It?

Key findings

  • Food-derived and supplemental betaine raised blood betaine and attenuated the homocysteine rise after methionine loading.
  • Effects on fasting homocysteine were modest.
  • The recorded outcome domains were Food versus supplement; Homocysteine.
  • The result applies to the tested exposure: Approximately 500 mg supplemental betaine or betaine-rich and choline-rich meals versus a control meal; Acute challenges with sampling through 24 hours.

What this study can and cannot tell us

  • Only eight men; results concern acute metabolism rather than disease outcomes.
  • An individual controlled trial must be interpreted alongside its comparator, sample size, endpoint selection and independent replication. It does not validate a different commercial formulation or a general longevity claim.
  • Source basis: Indexed abstract and bibliographic data. Missing method details, funding information or participant denominators are not inferred.

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Dr. Khaled Mahmoud, MBBChCritical Care Medicine, Longevity Science & Editorial Direction Dr. Amr Yasser, PhDCardiometabolic, Musculoskeletal, Gut & Bioavailability Dr. Abdulla Mostafa, PhDCellular Senescence, Neurological, Mitochondrial & Brain-Ageing Biology