Serum betaine is inversely associated with low lean mass mainly in men in a Chinese middle-aged and elderly community-dwelling population

Previous studies have demonstrated that betaine supplements increase lean body mass in livestock and improve muscle performance in human beings, but evidence for its effect on human lean mass is limited. Our study assessed the association of circulating betaine with lean mass and its composition in Chinese adults. A community-based study was conducted on 1996 Guangzhou residents (weight/mass: 1381/615) aged 50-75 years between 2008 and 2010. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect general baseline information. Fasting serum betaine was assessed using HPLC-MS. A total of 1590 participants completed the body composition analysis performed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry during a mean of 3.2 years of follow-up. After adjustment for age, regression analyses demonstrated a positive association of serum betaine with percentage of lean mass (LM%) of the entire body, trunk and limbs in men (all P < 0.05) and LM% of the trunk in women (P = 0.016). Each SD increase in serum betaine was associated with increases in LM% of 0.609 (whole body), 0.811 (trunk), 0.422 (limbs), 0.632 (arms) and 0.346 (legs) in men and 0.350 (trunk) in women. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the prevalence of lower LM% decreased by 17% (whole body) and 14% (trunk) in women and 23% (whole body), 28% (trunk), 22% (arms) and 26% (percentage skeletal muscle index) in men with each SD increment in serum betaine. Elevated circulating betaine was associated with a higher LM% and lower prevalence of lower LM% in middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults, particularly men.