Improved Body Weight and Biochemistry

Lu et al (2008). "Effects of betaine on body weight and biochemical index of obese rats fed high-fat diet." Acta Nutr Sinica 30(3): 311-5.

This study, published in Chinese, compared rats fed for 8 weeks on these diets:

- control
- high fat (HF)
- HF plus low betaine (15 mg/kg bwt) (HF/LB)
- HF plus medium betaine (30 mg/kg bwt) (HF/MB)
- HF plus high betaine (60 mg/kg bwt) (HF/HB)

Results for weight compared to control showed:

- HF diet led to greatest weight gain (i.e. 14% greater body weight at 8 weeks)
- HF/HB diet led to slowest weight gain (i.e. 7% greater body weight at 8 weeks)

Results for blood markers showed:

HF diet compared to control led to:

- higher fasting glucose and insulin
- higher malonaldehyde (MDA - marker of oxidative stress) and lower total antioxidant capacity (TAOC)
- lower HDL and higher LDL cholesterol
- higher free fatty acids (FFA)
- unchanged total cholesterol and triglyerides (TG)

Compared to HF diet:

- HF/HB diet led to improved blood glucose, MDA, TG and FFA
- HF/LB diet led to improved blood insulin, MDA and TAOC