Serum betaine is inversely associated with low lean mass mainly in men in a Chinese middle-aged and elderly community-dwelling population

Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated that betaine supplements increase lean body mass in livestock and improve muscle performance in human beings, but evidence for its effect on human lean mass is limited. Our study assessed the association of circulating betaine with lean mass and its composition in Chinese adults. A community-based study was conducted on 1996 Guangzhou residents (weight/mass: 1381/615) aged 50-75 years between 2008 and 2010. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect general baseline information. Fasting serum betaine was assessed using HPLC-MS. A total of 1590 participants completed the body composition analysis performed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry during a mean of 3·2 years of follow-up. After adjustment for age, regression analyses demonstrated a positive association of serum betaine with percentage of lean mass (LM%) of the entire body, trunk and limbs in men (all P < 0·05) and LM% of the trunk in women (P = 0·016). Each SD increase in serum betaine was associated with increases in LM% of 0·609 (whole body), 0·811 (trunk), 0·422 (limbs), 0·632 (arms) and 0·346 (legs) in men and 0·350 (trunk) in women. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the prevalence of lower LM% decreased by 17 % (whole body) and 14 % (trunk) in women and 23 % (whole body), 28 % (trunk), 22 % (arms) and 26 % (percentage skeletal muscle index) in men with each SD increment in serum betaine. Elevated circulating betaine was associated with a higher LM% and lower prevalence of lower LM% in middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults, particularly men.Key words: Serum betaine: Body composition: Lean mass: Sarcopenia Sarcopenia is a progressive and generalised decline in muscle mass and function with age (1) that is associated with increased risks of frailty fractures and mortality (2,3) . The prevalence of sarcopenia ranges from 5 to 13 % in 60-70-year-olds and rises to 11-50 % in people over 80 years of age (4) . Loss of muscle mass is a characteristic of 'pre-sarcopenia', which is the early stage of sarcopenia that does not impact muscle strength or physical performance (5) . Muscle mass decreases at a median annual rate of 0·37 % in women and 0·47 % in men from young (18-45 years) to old age (>65 years) (6) . Notably, muscle mass exhibits a positive relationship with strength (7) and physical performance (8) . Sarcopenia-related annual healthcare expenditure is estimated at $18 billion in the USA alone (9) . Effective preventive and therapeutic measures for sarcopenia, such as nutritional intervention, have become a medical and societal challenge because of the disabling complications and healthcare costs.Betaine (trimethylglycine) acts as a methyl donor in the transmethylation of homocysteine and as an organic osmolyte, and it is abundant in spinach, beets and whole grains (10) . Betaine is commonly added to animal feeds to improve lean meat yield and quality in pigs and chickens (11,12) . Previous human studies have also indicated a potential ergogenic value of betaine on ...

Effect of Betaine on Reducing Body Fat—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Chen et al found that higher serum levels of betaine were associated with lower body fat and better profiles of body fat distribution in Chinese adults aged 40–75 years [34]. Subsequently, they also found higher serum concentrations of betaine were associated with higher lean mass percentage in the same cohort, particular in males [35]. Our previous study also showed that higher serum betaine levels are associated with better body composition in general adults of Newfoundland [36].…”

The effects of chronic betaine supplementation on body composition and performance in collegiate females: a double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled trial

“…Additionally, the trend for some enhancements in work capacity may be particularly useful to coaches working with female athletes in the aesthetic sports who commonly consume very little calories and have high training volumes in the weeks leading up to competition. Finally, given that plasma betaine is inversely associated with the loss of lean mass in middle-aged and older adults [ 54 ], further research is necessary to investigate the effects of betaine supplementation on changes in lean mass in various populations consuming a eucaloric diet.…”

Dietary betaine intake is associated with skeletal muscle mass change over 3 years in middle-aged adults: the Guangzhou Nutrition and Health Study

“…These findings were inconsistent with the findings from previous cross-sectional studies. Higher serum betaine levels have been observed to be associated with greater lean body mass in male adults who participated in the GNHS study and the CODING (Complex Disease in Newfoundland population: Environment and Genetics) study (20,21) . Humans obtain betaine either from foods that contain betaine or by de novo synthesis of betaine in the body.…”

“…In recent years, the role of betaine in maintaining muscle mass in humans has been a focus of attention. Our previous cross-sectional study found that middle-aged and older men with higher serum betaine levels had a higher percentage of lean mass and a lower likelihood of low lean mass (20) . Consistently, cross-sectional studies from Newfoundland (21) found that higher circulating betaine was associated with greater lean body mass.…”