Strength and Power

Maresh et al (2007). "The Effects of Betaine Supplementation on Strength and Power Performance" Med Sci Sports Exerc 39(5 Suppl): S101.

This study found that ingestion of betaine over 2 weeks led to increased power, force and maintenance as measured in:

- vertical jump power
- isometric squat force
- isometric bench press
- bench throw power

There were no differences in bench press repetitions, number of squat repetitions, and jump squat power.

Athletic Performance in the Heat

Armstrong et al (2008). "Influence of betaine consumption on strenuous running and sprinting in a hot environment." J Strength Cond Res 22(3): 851-60.

Investigators found a trend towards longer sprint time until exhaustion when betaine was present in either a sports beverage or in flavored water compared to placebo.

Papers 2004-7:

Millard-Stafford et al (2005). "Fluid replacement in the heat - effects of betaine." Med Sci Sports Exerc 37(5): S28.

Cancer Treatment Hypothesis

Jellinek (2008). "The need for a multi-level biochemical approach to defeat cancer that will also support the host." Medical Hypotheses 71(4): 515-526.

The author suggests a multi-level, simultaneous biochemical approach to treating key elements of cancer (metastasis, tumor growth and immunity) and that betaine should be a component to help prevent tumor growth. For studies to confirm the proposal, the overall expected result is that a combined administration of all agents cited here will outperform any single agent considered so far for anticancer treatment.

Papers 2004-7:

Cho et al (2007). "Dietary Choline and Betaine and the Risk of Distal Colorectal Adenoma in Women." J. Natl. Cancer Inst.: 1224-31.

Cho et al (2007). "Nutrients involved in one-carbon metabolism and risk of breast cancer among premenopausal women." Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 16(12): 2787-90.

Ziegler and Lim (2007). "One-Carbon Metabolism, Colorectal Carcinogenesis, Chemoprevention with Caution." J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 99(16): 1214-5.

Xu et al (2007). "A functional 19-base pair deletion polymorphism of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and risk of breast cancer in multivitamin users." Am J Clin Nutr 85(4): 1098-102.

Xu et al (2008). "Choline metabolism and risk of breast cancer in a population-based study." Faseb J 22(6): 2045-52.