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# Betaine, choline help prevent lung cancer in smokers
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/betaine_choline_lung_cancer_0730130950/
- Published: 2013-07-30T22:49:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:23:56.000Z
- Description: In an analysis of 2,821 lung cancer cases and 2,923 controls, betaine intake showed no link to lung cancer among never smokers but tracked with lower risk in smokers: 30% lower for former and 49% lower for current smokers in the top intake quartile. Choline showed similar patterns.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Supplements, Nutrition, #vivvo-import

Tuesday July 30, 2013 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study in PLoS ONE suggests that taking betaine and choline dietary supplements may significantly reduce the risk of lung cancer in both former and current smokers.

The current study led by J. Ying from University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas and colleagues was intended to analyze data from 2821 lung cancer cases and 2923 controls to see if there is an association between choline and betaine dietary intakes and the risk of lung cancer.

Dietary intake of betaine was not associated with lung cancer among never smokers. However, betaine intake was inversely associated with lung cancer risk among smokers and the protective effect was particularly significant among current smokers.

Specifically, former and current smokers in the highest quartiles of betaine intake were 30% and 49% reduced risk of lung cancer, respectively, compared with those in the lowest intakes. There was a significant linear trend was observed between intake of betaine and risk of lung cancer.

Similar associations were found for choline intake among both former and current smokers, particularly in the latter. But there was no linear trend was found between choline intake and risk of lung cancer.

The researchers concluded "Our results suggest that choline and betaine intake, especially higher betaine intake, may be protective against lung cancer through mitigating the adverse effect of smoking."

Prior research shows that choline metabolic pathways may be activated during the progression of diseases such as cancer. (reporting by David Liu, PHD)