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

Abstract

Betaine is used to lower elevated plasma homocysteine levels, which are a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, some studies have shown that betaine may have a negative effect on blood lipids. Betaine supplementation is becoming more and more common, but the relationship between betaine supplementation and blood lipoprotein levels are unclear. The purpose of the study described here was thus to perform a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials on the effects of betaine supplementation at a daily dose of at least 4 g on blood lipids in adults. Six randomized controlled trials published between 2002 and 2018 were identified. All six studies used adult participants supplemented with at least 4 g/d of betaine for six to twenty-four weeks. A meta-analysis was carried out using a random-effects model, and the overall effect size was calculated for changes in plasma total cholesterol (TC), HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides (TG). The pooled estimate of the effects of betaine supplementation compared to placebo on TC was 0.34 mmol/L (95% CI: 0.02, 0.65), p = 0.0352. No significant effect was observed for LDL, HDL, or TG. Supplementation with at least 4 g/d of betaine for a minimum of six weeks may moderately increase plasma TC, which might be important in the context of cardiovascular health.

Keywords:

• betaine
• cholesterol
• lipids
• triglycerides
• supplementation

Declaration of interest

Authors declare no competing financial interests in relation to the work described.

Additional information

Funding

This work was partially supported by the Polish National Science Centre under Grant DEC- 2017/27/N/NZ9/00750.

Notes on contributors

Emilia E. Zawieja

Emilia E. Zawieja, MSc, is a PhD candidate. Her research interest are sports nutrition, dietary supplements, and sports biochemistry.

Bogna Zawieja

Bogna Zawieja, PhD, is an associate professor at Poznan Uiversity of Life Sciences, Department of Mathematical and Statistical methods. She is biostatistician with expertise in clinical trials.

Agata Chmurzynska

Agata Chmurzynska, PhD, is and Associate Professor at Poznan Uiversity of Life Sciences, Director of the Institute of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Head of the Molecular Metabolism Laboratory. Her research interests include regulation of lipid and one-carbon metabolism, body mass determination, and personalized nutrition.