Guest guest Posted February 26, 2008 Report Share Posted February 26, 2008 from my inbox today..................... Clare in Taz A new study from Greece has revealed how an increased dietary intake of choline and its metabolite betaine may lead to a reduction in markers of inflammation which is linked to a range of diseases, including heart disease, osteoporosis, cognitive decline, Alzheimer's and type 2 diabetes. In fact, subjects with the highest average intake of choline and betaine had levels of inflammatory markers at least 20 per cent lower than subjects with the lowest average intakes.Choline is classified as an essential nutrient and is usually associated with the B vitamin group. It is found in meat, milk, eggs and vegetables like spinach.The researchers from Harokopio University and the University of Athens also found a link to levels of the amino acid homocysteine (high levels of which increase the risk of heart disease), and the data appears to be in line with intervention studies using high dose betaine or choline supplementation, which have reported homocysteine reductions of up to 20 per cent (betaine, 1.5 to 6 grams per day). Few studies have investigated the effects of choline and betaine in terms of disease prevention because food composition databases were not available until only recently. The new study has taken advantage of these databases and reports that people with increased intake of choline, and its oxidation product betaine, have lower levels of homocysteine. *************************************** Assessing the results*************************************** The researchers surveyed 1,514 men and 1,528 women aged between 18 and 89 taking part in the ATTICA Study with no cardiovascular disease. Dietary intakes were assessed using a validated food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ), while blood samples were taken to measure levels of the inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Lead researcher Paraskevi Detopoulou and his fellow researchers found that the highest average intake of choline (above 310 mg per day) was associated with CRP, IL-6, and TNF-alpha levels 22, 26 and six per cent lower, respectively, than in people with the lowest average intake (less than 250 mg per day). Similarly, the highest average betaine intake (more than 360 mg per day) were associated with CRP, TNF-alpha, and homocysteine levels 19, 12 and 10 per cent lower, respectively, than in people with the lowest average intake (less than 260 mg per day. www.thehealthierlife.co.uk Uncovering the latest natural health breakthroughs.www.agoralifestyles.com http://www.grisoft.com Anti-Virus Scanned this message Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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