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

Zawieja EE, Zawieja B, Chmurzynska A · Journal of Dietary Supplements

Pooling every trial at 4 g/day or more, betaine raised plasma total cholesterol by 0.34 mmol/L (95% CI 0.02-0.65, P=0.035); pooled LDL, HDL and triglycerides did not move significantly. The signal is real, modest, and confined to doses at or above 4 g/day.

Population

Adults across 6 randomised placebo-controlled trials, 6 to 24 weeks

Intervention

Betaine at least 4 g/day

Comparator

Placebo

Limitations

Six trials, most small and short; no trial below 4 g/day was eligible, so the meta-analysis says nothing about the 1.5-3 g range; heterogeneous populations.