International journal of food sciences and nutritionNov 19, 2016

How diet, body measurements, and blood factors relate to levels of choline, carnitine, and related compounds in the blood

Circadian Biology Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Apr 1, 2026

Abstract

Higher concentrations of l-carnitine, free choline, and trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) were found in elderly women with more western-style dietary patterns.

Dietary patterns estimated through a scoring method indicated a link to higher l-carnitine, free choline, and TMAO levels.
No effect of choline or betaine intake on plasma free choline, trimethylamine (TMA), or TMAO was observed.
Body mass index (BMI) showed a positive correlation with free choline and TMA levels.
Total homocysteine (tHcy) was positively correlated with free choline, TMA, and TMAO concentrations.
Free choline was also positively associated with both TMA and TMAO levels.
Dietary patterns and plasma tHcy concentration may influence the plasma concentrations of free choline, TMA, and TMAO.

Simplified

The objective of the study was to evaluate the nutritional, anthropometric, and biochemical factors that influence choline, l-carnitine, trimethylamine (TMA), and trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) metabolism in elderly women. The volunteers' diet was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were estimated using a self-established score method. Body mass index (BMI), serum glucose, total, HDL, LDL cholesterol, triacylglycerol, homocysteine (tHcy), free choline (fchol), L-carnitine, TMA, and TMAO were assessed. Higher concentrations of l-carnitine, fchol, and TMAO were found in those women who had more western-style dietary patterns. Nor choline or betaine intake affected plasma fchol, TMA, or TMAO. BMI was positively correlated with fchol and TMA. tHcy was positively correlated with fchol, TMA, and TMAO, while fchol was also positively correlated with TMA and TMAO. Dietary patterns and plasma tHcy concentration influence fchol, TMA, and TMAO plasma concentration. Plasma TMA and fchol may be associated with BMI.

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How diet, body measurements, and blood factors relate to levels of choline, carnitine, and related compounds in the blood

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