Betaine supplementation decreases plasma homocysteine concentrations but does not affect body weight, body composition, or resting energy expenditure in human subjects

• Published in: The American journal of clinical nutrition Vol. 76; no. 5; pp. 961 - 967
• Main Authors: Schwab, Ursula, Törrönen, Anneli, Toppinen, Leena, Alfthan, Georg, Saarinen, Markku, Aro, Antti, Uusitupa, Matti
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD American Society for Clinical Nutrition 01.11.2002; American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc
• Subjects: adipose tissue; Adult; betaine; Betaine - blood; Betaine - pharmacology; Biological and medical sciences; blood; Blood Pressure; Blood Pressure - drug effects; body composition; Body Composition - drug effects; body weight; Body Weight - drug effects; Cholesterol; diastolic blood pressure; Diet; Dietary Supplements; drug effects; Energy Intake; Energy Metabolism; Energy Metabolism - drug effects; Female; Folic Acid; Folic Acid - blood; homocysteine; Homocystine; Homocystine - blood; homocystinuria; Humans; Lipids; Lipoproteins; Lipoproteins - blood; Lipotropic Agents; Lipotropic Agents - blood; Lipotropic Agents - pharmacology; low density lipoprotein cholesterol; Male; Medical sciences; men; Metabolic diseases; metabolism; Middle Aged; Obesity; pharmacology; Physical Exertion; Physical Exertion - drug effects; resting energy expenditure; swine; women; Human; homocysteine; Obesity; lipids; Anthropometry; Body weight; Nutrition disorder; Supplemented diet; Basal metabolism; energy expenditure; Body composition; Feeding; folate; Homocystein; Betaine; Energetic cost; cholesterol; liver enzymes; Blood pressure; Hemodynamics; humans; Nutritional status

Background: Betaine (trimethylglycine) is found in several tissues in humans. It is involved in homocysteine metabolism as an alternative methyl donor and is used in the treatment of homocystinuria in humans. In pigs, betaine decreases the amount of adipose tissue. Objective: The aim of the study wa...