Choline, a member of the B vitamin complex, is a lipotropic substance that is effective in fat metabolism. It prevents excessive fat storage in the liver. It is important for liver health. It is beneficial in Alzheimer’s disease and memory problems.

Choline deficiency may cause liver disease and arteriosclerosis.

In fact, choline is not technically a B vitamin. However, because it works together with other B vitamins, especially folic acid (B9) and cobalamin (B12), in fat metabolism and in supporting heart and brain health, it is included in B vitamin complexes.

Choline is also necessary for gallbladder and liver health, hormone production, and the central nervous system.

Choline combines with acetic acid to produce acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is very important for brain and memory functions.

Scientists think that choline may be used in the treatment and even prevention of diseases of the brain and central nervous system such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. People with Alzheimer’s disease have low levels of acetylcholine in their brains.

Recent research has shown that choline is very important for healthy brain function in newborn babies.

Choline protects liver health by helping distribute fats from the liver throughout the body.

Choline forms phosphatidylcholine, a substance used in the construction of cell walls. When needed, phosphatidylcholine is used as a source of choline. In Germany, doctors use phosphatidylcholine in the treatment of liver inflammation.

Sources

Because it is naturally found in every living cell, it is present in all kinds of vegetables and animal meat. The human body can obtain choline from the amino acid glycine. We get choline from foods containing lecithin. Lecithin is broken down in the body and separated into choline. Rice, eggs, red meat, liver, cabbage, cauliflower, soybeans, chickpeas, lentils, green beans, peas, and sunflower contain lecithin. Lecithin is also added to foods such as ice cream, margarine, mayonnaise, and chocolate to help bind the fat and water they contain.

Our daily diet contains between 300 and 1000 milligrams of choline. 425 milligrams is sufficient for adult women and 550 milligrams for men. Pregnant women should take 450 mg, and breastfeeding mothers 550 mg.

Choline Deficiency

In practice, it is not possible to observe a deficiency of this alone. It is usually accompanied by protein deficiency. These symptoms occur either experimentally or together with deficiencies of other vitamins.

Fat metabolism is impaired. Fat begins to accumulate in the body, especially in the liver.

The integrity and strength of cell membranes are disrupted. This problem caused by choline deficiency is especially evident in the myelin sheath of nerve fibers.

Choline Excess

No specific symptom has been identified. When taken not through food but in high doses in medicinal form, it may trigger this in people with underlying epilepsy.

Therapeutic Use of Choline

It has a wide range of uses together with other B vitamins. Today, its effects in each area of use are not scientifically clear. Common uses include:

  • In nerve conduction disorders, memory problems, muscle twitching, palpitations, Alzheimer’s disease, and Huntington’s chorea
  • In liver and kidney diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis
  • To relieve the side effects of certain medications, for example when drugs from the phenothiazine group cause contractions and spasms in the facial muscles, known as tardive dyskinesia
  • It is also recommended for headaches, tension, loss of appetite, constipation, glaucoma and other eye problems, and tinnitus and other ear complaints
  • It is recommended to reduce high blood cholesterol and arteriosclerosis, gallstones, hypertension, and the risk of heart attack.