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1: Clin Biochem. 2007 Jul;40(11):798-801. Epub 2007 Mar 28.Click here to read Links

An abnormal urinary excretion of glycine betaine may persist for years.

Lever M, Atkinson W, George PM, Chambers ST.

Clinical Biochemistry Unit, Canterbury Health Laboratories, Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Christchurch, New Zealand. michael.lever@chmeds.ac.nz

OBJECTIVES: Does abnormal betaine excretion persist? DESIGN AND METHODS: Patients (10) with abnormal excretion in 1998 were recalled in 2005. Subsequent urine samples were collected on 4 days from persistently abnormal subjects. RESULTS: Half the 1998 abnormal patients were abnormal in 2005. Only 1/20 controls was abnormal (p=0.015). All patients with abnormal excretion in 1998 and 2005 had abnormal excretion on successive days while no controls did. CONCLUSIONS: High betaine excretion may be chronic and a health risk.

PMID: 17490630 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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  • Betaine (Cystadane® )

    Betaine is used to treat homocystinuria (an inherited condition in which the body cannot break down a certain protein, causing build-up of homocysteine in the blood). Increased amounts of homocysteine in the body can cau...

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