Recent science suggests that betaine, a compound derived from beetroot and other vegetables, may increase muscle endurance in strength and resistance exercise; but new research suggests that betaine’s sports benefit is not definitely linked to nitric oxide.
Recent science suggests that betaine, a compound derived from beetroot and other vegetables, may increase muscle endurance in strength and resistance exercise; but new research suggests that betaine’s sports benefit is not definitively linked to nitric oxide.
Dietary supplements purporting to increase nitric oxide have soared in recent popularity for athletic use-based on the theory that nitric oxide increases blood flow and thereby nutrient delivery and exercise recovery. Regardless of whether or not such supplements have these effects, betaine does not-at least not in young, healthy males.
Researchers at the University of Memphis designed three studies on 8, 13, and 10 young, exercise-trained subjects. In the first study, subjects were assigned to acute betaine intake (1.25 and 5.0 g). In the second study, subjects were assigned to chronic betaine intake (2.5 g per day for 14 days). A final third study looked at chronic intake, followed by acute intake (6 g for 7 days, then one dose of 6 g). Periodic blood sampling measured plasma nitrate/nitrite as an indicator of nitric oxide levels.
In each study, researchers could not detect any statistically-significant increases in nitrate/nitrite levels. But the study’s author claims such findings conflict previous studies, which found betaine to increase those levels in older men.
“Acute or chronic ingestion of betaine by healthy, exercise-trained men does not impact
plasma nitrate/nitrite,” wrote the study’s author. “It is possible that betaine supplementation by older and/or de-conditioned individuals, or possibly by women, may result in elevated nitrate/nitrite levels in plasma.”
As for betaine’s athletic boost in young, exercise-trained men, it appears that some mechanism outside of nitric oxide is at play.
BetaPower betaine was supplied by Danisco (Copenhagen) for the study, which was funded by Danisco and the University of Memphis. The study was published online at the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.
Judge denies CRN’s motion for preliminary injunction but its lawsuit against NY state will proceed
April 23rd 2024The judge in CRN's lawsuit against NY state's law banning the sale of weight management and muscle building supplements to minors has denied its motion for a preliminary injunction, but determined that CRN has standing to sue on behalf of its members.
Arla Foods to acquired whey nutrition business from Volac International
April 22nd 2024Arla Foods Ingredients has reached an agreement to acquire Volac’s Whey Nutrition business through a purchase of shares in Volac Whey Nutrition Holdings Limited and its subsidiary, Volac Whey Nutrition Limited and Volac Renewable Energy Limited.
CRN NY State lawsuit update: Dispatch from SupplySide East 2024
April 18th 2024CRN's Steve Mister updates Nutritional Outlook about its ongoing litigation against NY State. The organization sued the state to prevent the enforcement of law that bans sale of weight management supplements to minors.