Tier 4 — mechanistic

Associations of plasma betaine, plasma choline, choline intake, and MTHFR polymorphism (rs1801133) with anthropometric parameters of healthy adults are sex-dependent

Monika A Mlodzik-Czyzewska, Anna M Malinowska, Artur Szwengiel, Agata Chmurzynska
Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association 2022 35(4):701-712

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 35668704
DOI
10.1111/jhn.13046
Funding
Indexed grant support: Narodowe Centrum Nauki; Polish National Science Centre. The indexed list may not contain the complete funding declaration.
Competing interests
A competing-interest declaration was not available in the indexed record or accessible disclosure metadata.

Study snapshot

DesignCross-sectional genotype study
ModelHuman participants
Sample421 Polish adults aged 20-40
InterventionHabitual dietary choline and/or betaine intake; no randomized TMG treatment
DurationDiet, blood and genotype assessment
EndpointsAnthropometry; MTHFR; Sex differences

What the study showed, in plain terms

Published in 2022, this source examined human observational and biomarker research. Design: Cross-sectional genotype study. Sample/model: 421 Polish adults aged 20-40. The exposure or intervention was Habitual dietary choline and/or betaine intake; no randomized TMG treatment. Follow-up or treatment period: Diet, blood and genotype assessment.

Higher plasma betaine was associated with lower BMI and weight mainly in men; other nutrient/genotype associations differed by sex.

Observational exposure analysis: residual confounding and reverse causation remain possible. Associations do not establish that betaine supplementation causes the same outcome.

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Continue with TMG, Methylation and MTHFR: Understanding the Evidence

Key findings

  • Higher plasma betaine was associated with lower BMI and weight mainly in men; other nutrient/genotype associations differed by sex.
  • The recorded outcome domains were Anthropometry; MTHFR; Sex differences.
  • The exposure was observed rather than assigned as an isolated supplement treatment.

What this study can and cannot tell us

  • Observational exposure analysis: residual confounding and reverse causation remain possible. Associations do not establish that betaine supplementation causes the same outcome.
  • Confounding, dietary patterns, illness, medication use and reverse causation can influence an association. Blood or dietary concentrations do not identify the effect of starting a capsule.
  • Source basis: Indexed abstract and bibliographic data. Missing method details, funding information or participant denominators are not inferred.

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Elham Sharifi-Zahabi et al. · Journal of diabetes research · 2026
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Association of choline and betaine with the risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality: Meta-analysis
Qinglin Yang et al. · European journal of clinical investigation · 2023
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Association of choline and betaine levels with cancer incidence and survival: A meta-analysis
Jiyoung Youn et al. · Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) · 2019

Editorial review

Reviewed by the Biohack Blueprint research team

Last verified

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