What works?
Learn more about the effects of these drugs. The most reliable research is summed up for you in our featured article.
- Brand names include
- Cystadane
- Drug classes About this
- Digestant
What works? Research summarized
Evidence reviews
Betaine supplementation decreases plasma homocysteine in healthy adult participants: a meta-analysis
OBJECTIVE: Betaine supplementation has been shown to be an effective agent for decreasing plasma homocysteine in healthy adults. Studies in healthy volunteers show that 6 g/d of betaine lowers plasma homocysteine concentrations by 5% to 20%. The purpose of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials that used daily betaine supplementation to identify the range in betaine's effects on lowering homocysteine.
Survival and psychomotor development with early betaine treatment in patients with severe methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency
IMPORTANCE: The impact of betaine treatment on outcome in patients with severe methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency is presently unclear.
Homocysteine lowering interventions for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and bypass grafts
Homocysteine is one of the amino acids, the building blocks for proteins. High levels of homocysteine in the blood are associated with narrowing or blocking of arteries (atherosclerosis). However, it is not clear that the homocysteine itself causes the problem. Blood levels of homocysteine can be normalised by taking folic acid, vitamins B12 and B6, or betaine.
Summaries for consumers
Homocysteine lowering interventions for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and bypass grafts
Homocysteine is one of the amino acids, the building blocks for proteins. High levels of homocysteine in the blood are associated with narrowing or blocking of arteries (atherosclerosis). However, it is not clear that the homocysteine itself causes the problem. Blood levels of homocysteine can be normalised by taking folic acid, vitamins B12 and B6, or betaine.
Things you need to know
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