Plasma trimethylamine-N-oxide following supplementation with vitamin D or D plus B vitamins.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the effects of vitamin D alone versus vitamin D plus B vitamins on plasma TMAO and choline metabolites, including betaine.
Results Summary
Betaine levels increased in the vitamin D plus B vitamins group compared to the vitamin D-only group. Changes in choline and dimethylglycine were observed in both groups, but betaine-specific effects were more pronounced with B vitamin supplementation.
Population
52 participants (27 in vitamin D group, 25 in vitamin D + B group)
Effective Dosage
Not specified for betaine (study used 0.5 mg folic acid, 50 mg B6, and 0.5 mg B12 alongside 1200 IU vitamin D3 and 800 mg calcium)
Duration
1 year
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
vitamin D + B | decrease | plasma trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) | participants | 2.8 μmol/L | TMAO declined | #1 |
vitamin D | decrease | plasma trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) | participants | 0.5 μmol/L | TMAO declined | #2 |
vitamin D + B | decrease | plasma homocysteine (Hcy) | participants | - | Hcy decreased | #3 |
vitamin D + B | increase | betaine | participants | - | betaine increased | #4 |
vitamin D + B | increase | plasma choline | participants | - | plasma choline increased | #5 |
vitamin D | increase | plasma choline | participants | - | plasma choline increased | #6 |
vitamin D + B | increase | dimethylglycine | participants | - | dimethylglycine increased | #7 |
vitamin D | increase | dimethylglycine | participants | - | dimethylglycine increased | #8 |
vitamin D + B | increase | urine betaine | participants | - | urine betaine increased | #9 |
vitamin D | increase | urine betaine | participants | - | urine betaine increased | #10 |
vitamin D + B | increase | test-retest variations of TMAO | participants | - | test-retest variations of TMAO were greater | #11 |
B vitamins plus vitamin D | decrease | plasma fasting TMAO | - | - | lowered plasma fasting TMAO | #12 |
vitamin D | neutral | choline metabolism | - | - | caused alterations in choline metabolism | #13 |
SCOPE: We compared the effect of supplementation with vitamin D + B or vitamin D on plasma trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and choline metabolites. METHODS AND RESULTS: This is a randomized single-blinded nonplacebo-controlled study. Twenty-seven participants received 1200 IU vitamin D3 and 800 mg calcium, and 25 participants received additionally 0.5 mg folic acid, 50 mg B6, and 0.5 mg B12 for 1 year. Plasma homocysteine (Hcy), TMAO, and choline metabolites were measured at baseline and 12 months later. TMAO declined in the vitamin D arm by 0.5 versus 2.8 μmol/L in the D + B arm (p = 0.005). Hcy decreased and betaine increased in the D + B compared to the D arm. Within-subject levels of plasma choline and dimethylglycine and urine betaine increased in both arms and changes did not differ between the arms. TMAO reduction was predicted by higher baseline TMAO and lowering Hcy in stepwise regression analysis. The test-retest variations of TMAO were greater in the D + B arm compared to vitamin D arm. CONCLUSION: B vitamins plus vitamin D lowered plasma fasting TMAO compared to vitamin D. Vitamin D caused alterations in choline metabolism, which may reflect the metabolic flexibility of C1-metabolism. The molecular mechanisms and health implications of these changes are currently unknown.