Tier 1 — highest

Betaine Supplementation Moderately Increases Total Cholesterol Levels: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Emilia E Zawieja, Bogna Zawieja, Agata Chmurzynska
Journal of dietary supplements 2021 18(1):105-117

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 31809615
DOI
10.1080/19390211.2019.1699223
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

DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs
ModelEvidence synthesis; mixed research models
Sample6 randomized placebo-controlled trials
InterventionBetaine at least 4 g/day
Duration6-24 weeks
EndpointsTotal cholesterol; Lipoproteins; Triglycerides

What the study showed, in plain terms

Published in 2021, this source examined safety assessments and evidence synthesis. Its evidence base was 6 randomized placebo-controlled trials. It evaluated Betaine at least 4 g/day across 6-24 weeks.

Total cholesterol increased by approximately 0.34 mmol/L overall. Pooled LDL, HDL and triglyceride changes were not statistically significant in this analysis.

Few trials; outcome and inclusion differences explain why another meta-analysis can find an LDL signal. Clinical event risk was not measured.

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Key findings

  • Total cholesterol increased by approximately 0.34 mmol/L overall.
  • Pooled LDL, HDL and triglyceride changes were not statistically significant in this analysis.
  • The recorded outcome domains were Total cholesterol; Lipoproteins; Triglycerides.
  • This synthesis reuses the included study populations; it is not an additional randomized participant cohort.

What this study can and cannot tell us

  • Few trials; outcome and inclusion differences explain why another meta-analysis can find an LDL signal. Clinical event risk was not measured.
  • Pooled estimates depend on the included trials and may share participants with companion publications or other reviews. A statistically significant surrogate outcome does not establish disease prevention.
  • Source basis: Indexed abstract and bibliographic data. Missing method details, funding information or participant denominators are not inferred.

Related papers in the corpus

Tier 1
Effects of betaine supplementation on cardiovascular markers: A systematic review and Meta-analysis
Damoon Ashtary-Larky et al. · Critical reviews in food science and nutrition · 2022
Tier 2
Safety of betaine as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 258/97
EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) et al. · EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority · 2017
Tier 2
Safety of betaine as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283
EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (EFSA NDA Panel) et al. · EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority · 2019
Tier 4
Postauthorization safety study of betaine anhydrous
Ulrike Mütze et al. · Journal of inherited metabolic disease · 2022

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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