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. 2013 Aug 22;10(1):39.
doi: 10.1186/1550-2783-10-39.

Effects of betaine on body composition, performance, and homocysteine thiolactone

Jason M Cholewa  1 , Monika Wyszczelska-Rokiel, Rafal Glowacki, Hieronim Jakubowski, Tracey Matthews, Richard Wood, Stuart As Craig, Vincent Paolone
Affiliations

Effects of betaine on body composition, performance, and homocysteine thiolactone

Jason M Cholewa et al. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. .

Abstract

Background: This study investigated the effects of long term betaine supplementation on body composition, performance, and homocysteine thiolactone (HCTL) in experienced strength trained men.

Methods: Twenty-three subjects were matched for training experience (4.8 ± 2.3 years) and body fat percentage (BF%: 16.9 ± 8.0%), randomly assigned to either a placebo (PL; n = 12) or betaine group (BET; n = 11; 2.5 g/day), and completed a 6 week periodized training program consisting of 3 two-week micro-cycles. Bench press and back squat training volumes were recorded and changes in training volume were assessed at each micro-cycle. Fasting urine was collected at baseline (BL), weeks 2, 4 and 6, and assayed for HCTL. Subjects were tested prior to and following 6 weeks of treatment. Arm and thigh cross sectional area (CSA) was estimated via girth and skin fold measurements. Body density was estimated via skin fold calipers and used to estimate BF%, fat mass (FM), and lean body mass (LBM). Performance was assessed via vertical jump (VJ), bench press 1 RM (BP), and back squat 1 RM (BS).

Results: Arm CSA increased significantly (p < .05) in BET but not PL. No differences existed between group and time for changes in thigh CSA. Back squat training volume increased significantly (p < .05) for both groups throughout training. Bench press training volume was significantly (p < .05) improved for BET compared to PL at microcycles one and three. Body composition (BF%, FM, LBM) improved significantly (p < .05) in BET but not PL. No differences were found in performance variables (BP, BS, VJ) between groups, except there was a trend (p = .07) for increased VJ power in BET versus PL. A significant interaction (p < .05) existed for HCTL, with increases from BL to week 2 in PL, but not BET. Additionally, HCTL remained elevated at week 4 in PL, but not BET.

Conclusion: Six-weeks of betaine supplementation improved body composition, arm size, bench press work capacity, attenuated the rise in urinary HCTL, and tended to improve power (p = .07) but not strength.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Percent change in bench press volume for placebo (n = 12) and betaine (n = 11) for 3 training micro-cycles. Note: * = Significantly (p < .05) different than placebo.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Percent change in back squat volume for placebo (n = 12) and betaine (n = 11) for 3 training micro-cycles. Note: * = Significantly (p < .05) different than placebo.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Bar graph for arm cross sectional area (cm2) for placebo (n = 12) and betaine (n = 11) for pre- and post-treatment. Note: * = Significantly (p < .05) different than pre-treatment.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Bar graph for body fat percentage for placebo (n = 12) and betaine (n = 11) for pre- and post-treatment. Note: Significantly (p < .05) different than pre-treatment.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Bar graph for lean body mass (kg) for placebo (n = 12) and betaine (n = 11) for pre- and post-treatment. Note: Significantly (p < .05) different than pre-treatment.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Changes in urinary homocysteine thiolactone values for placebo (n = 12) and Betaine (n = 11) between baseline and three time intervals. Note: * = Significantly (p < .05) different than betaine.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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