Betaine supplementation and blood lipids: fact or artifact?
Betaine supplementation in humans has been shown to lower plasma homocysteine concentrations in modestly hyperhomocysteinemic patients. Betaine treatment is associated with increased plasma low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, suggesting that although betaine supplementation lowers homocysteine, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, changes in blood lipids may have a counterbalancing effect. However, whether the betaine effect on LDL concentration is a clinically significant problem that should change treatment options or is simply an artifact needs further study.
Zeisel
Steven H
SH
Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health and School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. steven_zeisel@unc.edu
D001622:Betaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008082:Lipotropic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D008055:Lipids; D008082:Lipotropic Agents; D006710:Homocysteine; D001622:Betaine