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MSM

Health News Archive 40 - Homocysteine
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• Selenium Levels Linked to Homocysteine Concentrations
• Betaine Supplementation Lowers Homocysteine Levels

Selenium Levels Linked to Homocysteine Concentrations

Researchers have determined that elderly humans with low selenium concentrations have increased levels of the cardiovascular risk factor known as homocysteine.  Homocysteine is an amino acid linked to a number of diseases including heart disease and arthritis. A previous study in animals found an association between selenium intake and total plasma homocysteine concentrations. However, this same association between selenium levels and plasma homocysteine had not been investigated in humans.

Researchers in the current study evaluated the association between blood selenium concentrations and plasma homocysteine as well as other factors known to influence this cardiovascular disease risk factor, such as folate, vitamin B12, and creatinine.  The results indicated that the higher the serum selenium levels, the lower the homocysteine concentration. In addition, subjects with the highest levels of selenium experienced a 63 percent decreased risk of high homocysteine concentrations.

According to the researchers, "In conclusion, selenium should be considered as a potential factor to lower homocysteine."

Reference:

Gonzalez S, Huerta JM, Alvarez-Uria J, Fernandez S, Patterson AM, Lasheras C. Serum selenium is associated with plasma homocysteine concentrations in elderly humans. J Nutr. 2004 Jul;134(7):1736-40.

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Betaine Supplementation Lowers Homocysteine Levels

A study published in the December 2003 issue of the Journal of Nutrition found that supplementing with betaine, also known as trimethylglycine (TMG), lowered homocysteine both immediately and long term in a group of seventy-six healthy men and women. 

Participants were divided into four groups who received 1.5 grams betaine, 3 grams betaine, 6 grams betaine, or a daily placebo for six weeks. Homocysteine levels were ascertained with fasting homocysteine blood tests and with methionine loading tests. The methionine loading test is considered the more accurate method of determining homocysteine levels.  Subjects were tested before receiving their treatment regimens, at several points during the study, and at the study’s conclusion.

After one day of betaine supplementation, the methionine loading test determined that the group receiving 1.5 grams betaine had homocysteine levels that were 16 percent lower than the placebo group, and those who received 6 grams had homocysteine levels 35 percent less. After six weeks, homocysteine levels further declined to levels 23% and 40% lower than placebo in the groups receiving 1.5 grams and 6 grams, respectively. Fasting plasma homocysteine levels were 12% less in the group receiving 1.5 grams and 20% less in the group receiving 6 grams at the end of six weeks. This demonstrates an immediate as well as long-term ability for betaine to loweri homocysteine levels.

The researchers note that this is the first placebo-controlled study to demonstrate that supplementing with betaine at a dose as low as 1.5 grams per day can lower homocysteine levels in healthy adults. Their findings also show that betaine is quickly available as a methyl donor.

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