Effects of phosphatidylcholine and betaine supplements on women's serum choline

Background: Maternal phosphatidylcholine supplements have shown benefit in the development of the human fetal brain, as assessed both by newborn physiological measurements and by a related decrease in later childhood behavioral abnormalities. However, the relatively low choline component of phosphat...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: M. Camille Hoffman, Ann Olincy, Angelo D'Alessandro, Julie A. Reisz, Kirk C. Hansen, Sharon K. Hunter, Robert Freedman, Randal G. Ross
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2019-06-01
Series:Journal of Nutrition & Intermediary Metabolism
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352385918300367
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Summary:Background: Maternal phosphatidylcholine supplements have shown benefit in the development of the human fetal brain, as assessed both by newborn physiological measurements and by a related decrease in later childhood behavioral abnormalities. However, the relatively low choline component of phosphatidylcholine mandates high doses that are difficult for pregnant women to consume. Objective: Betaine can substitute for some choline effects. The hypothesis was that betaine supplementation would significantly increase women's serum choline. Design: A three-arm crossover clinical trial was used to assess serum concentrations of choline after betaine supplements at two doses, in comparison with phosphatidylcholine supplementation. The effects of both a single dose and of one-week twice-daily doses were assessed in normal non-pregnant women. Results: Betaine supplements at two doses failed to increase serum choline concentrations after single administration or one-week twice-daily dosing. Phosphatidylcholine supplements raised choline concentrations after both single doses (mean change from baseline 8.34 ± 7.29 ng/ml, paired t = 3.24, df 7, p = 0.014, range 1–21 ng/ml, d’ = 1.15) and one-week twice-daily doses (mean change from baseline 4.58 ± 3.68 ng/ml standard deviation; paired t = 3.51, df 7, p < 0.001, range 2–13 ng/ml, d’ = 2.65). Betaine concentrations rose after both betaine and phosphatidylcholine supplementation. Conclusions: Betaine supplements did not substitute for phosphatidylcholine supplements, which raise serum choline concentrations both after a single dose and after repeated administration. However, serum betaine concentrations did rise after both betaine and phosphatidylcholine consumption and, therefore, betaine may be a stable indicator of choline intake. Keywords: Phosphatidylcholine, Choline, Betaine, Dimethylglycine, Pregnancy
ISSN:2352-3859