Tier 2 — strong

Long-term effect of betaine on risk factors associated with the metabolic syndrome in healthy subjects

U Schwab, G Alfthan, A Aro, M Uusitupa
European journal of clinical nutrition 2011 65(1):70-76

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 20978525
DOI
10.1038/ejcn.2010.230
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 controlled trial
ModelHuman participants
Sample63 healthy volunteers
InterventionBetaine 4 g/day in mineral water versus mineral water alone
Duration6 months
EndpointsLipids; Homocysteine; Hemostatic markers

What the study showed, in plain terms

Published in 2011, this source examined homocysteine, methylation and vascular function. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Sample/model: 63 healthy volunteers. The exposure or intervention was Betaine 4 g/day in mineral water versus mineral water alone. Follow-up or treatment period: 6 months.

The trial did not show clear between-group improvement in lipids or homocysteine. Some time-by-group coagulation and lipid signals occurred without a consistent clinical benefit.

Young healthy participants and a modest sample; isolated statistical interactions should not be interpreted as disease prevention.

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

Key findings

  • The trial did not show clear between-group improvement in lipids or homocysteine.
  • Some time-by-group coagulation and lipid signals occurred without a consistent clinical benefit.
  • The recorded outcome domains were Lipids; Homocysteine; Hemostatic markers.
  • The result applies to the tested exposure: Betaine 4 g/day in mineral water versus mineral water alone; 6 months.

What this study can and cannot tell us

  • Young healthy participants and a modest sample; isolated statistical interactions should not be interpreted as disease prevention.
  • 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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Effect of homocysteine-lowering nutrients on blood lipids: results from four randomised, placebo-controlled studies in healthy humans
Margreet R Olthof et al. · PLoS medicine · 2005
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Betaine supplementation lowers plasma homocysteine in healthy men and women
Gery R Steenge et al. · The Journal of nutrition · 2003
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Low dose betaine supplementation leads to immediate and long term lowering of plasma homocysteine in healthy men and women
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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