Lee Swanson Research Update

Choline and Betaine May Ease Inflammation Markers

April 2008

Increased dietary intake of choline and its metabolite betaine may lead to a reduction in markers of inflammation linked to a range of diseases. That's according to a new study from Greece.

Study subjects with the highest average intake of choline and betaine had levels of inflammatory markers at least 20% lower than subjects with the lowest average intakes, researchers reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Chronic inflammation has been associated with a range of conditions linked to heart disease, osteoporosis, cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease and type 2 diabetes.

Researchers from Harokopio University and the University of Athens also report a link to levels of the amino acid homocysteine, and the data appears to be in line with intervention studies using high dose betaine or choline supplementation, which have reported homocysteine reductions of up to 20% (betaine, 1.5 to 6 grams per day).

Few studies have investigated the effects of choline and betaine in terms of disease prevention because food composition databases were not available until only recently. The new study has taken advantage of those databases and reports that people with increased intake of choline, and its oxidation product betaine, have lower levels of homocysteine.

"Our results support an association between choline and betaine intakes and the inflammation process in free-eating and apparently healthy adults," wrote lead author Paraskevi Detopoulou.

The Athens-based researchers surveyed 1,514 men and 1,528 women aged between 18 and 89 taking part in the ATTICA Study with no cardiovascular disease. Dietary intakes were assessed using a validated food-frequency questionnaire, while blood samples were taken to measure levels of the inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).

Detopoulou and co-workers report that the highest average intake of choline (above 310 mg per day) was associated with CRP, IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels 22%, 26% and 6% lower, respectively, than in people with the lowest average intake (less than 250 mg per day).

Similarly, the highest average betaine intake (more than 360 mg per day) was associated with CRP, TNF-alpha and homocysteine levels 19%, 12% and 10% lower, respectively, than in people with the lowest average intake (less than 260 mg per day).

Recommended daily intakes of choline were set in 1998 at values of 550 mg per day for men and 425 mg a day for women.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 87(2):424-430, 2008

New to Natural Health?
Tools
Customer Service

Sign Up for Our Emails