--- title: "Betaine supplementation modulates betaine concentration by MTHFR…" description: "Betaine supplementation boosts betaine and lowers homocysteine in active men, with MTHFR genotype potentially influencing betaine levels." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38876040.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38876040.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38876040.html" type: "study" study_key: "d38876040" journal: "Nutr Res" year: 2024 pmid: "38876040" doi: "10.1016/j.nutres.2024.05.003" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Betaine supplementation modulates betaine concentration by MTHFR genotype in healthy active males [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Betaine supplementation modulates betaine concentration by… **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38876040.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/d38876040 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | Nutr Res | | Year | 2024 | | PMID | [38876040](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38876040/) | | DOI | [10.1016/j.nutres.2024.05.003](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2024.05.003) | | Study key | d38876040 | ## Takeaway Betaine supplementation boosts betaine and lowers homocysteine in active men, with MTHFR genotype potentially influencing betaine levels. ## The question Does betaine supplementation increase betaine concentration and alter amino acid profiles in physically active males, and is this affected by MTHFR genotype and dose? ## Hypothesis Betaine supplementation will increase betaine concentration and alter amino acid profiles in relation to MTHFR genotype and dose in physically active males. ## Methods This study used a randomized placebo-controlled cross-over design. Blood samples were collected before and after each supplementation period to analyze serum for amino acid profile, homocysteine, betaine, choline, and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) concentrations. A washout analysis included participants who started with betaine (n=20). ## Results Betaine concentration significantly increased from 4.89 µg/mL to 17.31 µg/mL after supplementation, with a greater increase in MTHFR T-allele carriers compared to CC. Homocysteine concentration decreased from 17.04 µmol/L to 15.44 µmol/L, and TMAO concentrations non-significantly increased from 0.27 µg/ml to 0.44 µg/ml. No differences were found in amino acid profile or choline concentrations. Serum betaine concentrations returned to baseline after a 21-day washout. ## Conclusion Betaine supplementation increased betaine and decreased homocysteine concentrations in healthy active males, but did not affect amino acid profile or choline concentrations. The increase in betaine concentrations may be dependent on MTHFR genotype. ## Limitations The abstract does not explicitly state limitations, but the non-significant increase in TMAO and the lack of dose-response analysis could be considered implicit limitations. ## Verbatim from the abstract > Betaine supplementation caused a decrease in homocysteine concentration ## Change in Serum Betaine and Homocysteine Concentrations After Betaine Supplementation | Measure | Concentration (µg/mL or µmol/L) | | --- | --- | | Betaine (Before) | 4.89 | | Betaine (After) | 17.31 | | Homocysteine (Before) | 17.04 | | Homocysteine (After) | 15.44 | *Serum betaine concentration increased significantly after supplementation, while homocysteine concentration decreased.* ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Betaine (TMG) | Strong evidence | [Betaine (TMG)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/132.md) | ## Reference 1. **Betaine supplementation modulates betaine concentration by MTHFR genotype in healthy active males** Nutr Res 2024 · [PMID 38876040](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38876040/) · [DOI 10.1016/j.nutres.2024.05.003](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2024.05.003) > Betaine supplementation caused a decrease in homocysteine concentration ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38876040.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38876040.html","name":"Betaine supplementation modulates betaine concentration by MTHFR genotype in healthy active males","description":"Betaine supplementation boosts betaine and lowers homocysteine in active men, with MTHFR genotype potentially influencing betaine levels.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38876040.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Betaine supplementation modulates betaine concentration by…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38876040.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38876040.html#study","name":"Betaine supplementation modulates betaine concentration by MTHFR genotype in healthy active males","headline":"Betaine supplementation modulates betaine concentration by MTHFR genotype in healthy active males","datePublished":"2024","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Nutr Res"},"identifier":"PMID:38876040","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38876040/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2024.05.003","abstract":"Betaine supplementation boosts betaine and lowers homocysteine in active men, with MTHFR genotype potentially influencing betaine levels."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Betaine (TMG)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/132.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [Evidence: methyl donor, homocysteine remethylation](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s132.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).