Choline is an important component of cellular paths in making acetylcholine. Choline is studied to improve memories and attention span. Choline is a requirement to make neurotransmitter acetylcholine that is a must-have for muscular function and cognitive function. 

The role it plays is key to cardiovascular function, infant development, and cognitive function. Choline is an important component of cellular paths in making acetylcholine.

The role it plays is key to cardiovascular function, infant development, and cognitive function. As an essential nutrient, choline is water-soluble, and everyone must consume it. In theory, most people get plenty via diet

However, some populations need more than others. Case in point, there are many benefits to supplementing with extra amounts in the diet for those who are in high-risk categories.

The molecule may be oxidized and changed to betaine or phosphorylated as well as phosphoryl groups that phosphocholine it in cells. Choline is a requirement to make neurotransmitter acetylcholine that is a must-have for muscular function and cognitive function. It's vital to help break down Homocysteine.

Top 5 Best Selling Choline Supplements

Product

Name

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Nature's Way Choline, 500 mg, 100 Tablets, Pack of 2


#1

Nature's Way Choline
Jarrow formulas Citicoline CDP Choline

#2

Jarrow Formulas Citicoline
Solgar – Choline/Inositol 500 mg/500 mg, 100 Vegetable Capsules

#3

Solgar Choline/Inositol
Country Life Choline 650 mg - 100 Tablets

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Country Life Choline
Life Extension Cognizin CDP-Choline Caps 250mg, 60 Vegetarian Capsules

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Life Extension CDP-Choline

What Is Choline

As an essential nutrient, choline is water-soluble, and everyone must consume it. In theory, most people get plenty via diet. However, some populations need more than others.

Case in point, there are many benefits to supplementing with extra amounts in the diet for those who are in high-risk categories. The molecule may be oxidized and changed to betaine or phosphorylated as well as phosphoryl groups that phosphocholine it in cells. 

Choline is a requirement to make neurotransmitter acetylcholine that is a must-have for muscular function and cognitive function. It's vital to help break down Homocysteine.

If you're seeking a supplement to give you the full cognitive health and function, Neuro Optimizer is recommended as it contains the Choline and other brain-boosting ingredients.

Health Benefits of Choline

1) Low levels of choline will cause severe liver damage

Choline is required to make phosphatidylcholine. Phosphatidylcholine is vital to help break down the lipids in the liver. Thus, low levels of choline may lead to the accumulation of lipids in the liver.

In studies that are conducted in healthy adults, a huge percentage of the subjects that were exposed to low levels of choline had fatty liver diseases and other issues with their livers. 

Such effects were found to be reversed when choline was introduced into their diets. The damage to the liver due to the low levels may wind up causing obesity, insulin resistance, and hypertension. 

2) Choline may decrease inflammation

Cholines has been known to decrease the levels of inflammation response in the body. Agonism of some of the acetylcholine receptors is a direct anti-inflammatory. 

Choline might improve the symptoms of inflammation including asthma. 

3) Choline is a must to build myelin, and it increases the levels

Choline is vital for myelin, which is vital for IQ and intelligence. In animals that had multiple sclerosis, Choline CDP gave beneficial effects to the myelin, axons, and the oligodendrocytes. 

In drug-induced demyelination, the Choline CDP effectively helps the myelin regenerate and reverses the deficits of motor coordination. This is due to the increase in the proliferating oligodendrocytes and the oligodendrocytes precursor cells.

4) Choline can improve cognitive performance

Acetylcholine is a vital molecule in the body's nervous system. Without it, the system can't transmit info within itself. Cognitive decline frequently happens partly due to the shortage of acetylcholine.

When this is increased, it can help to protect the body's nervous system from degeneration. Studies have shown that those who take the CDP Choline beverages that are caffeinated have an improved cognitive ability. It may also improve their memories. Other studies have shown that it can help to improve the attention span. 

5) Choline can help improve Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases

According to trials, increased intake of choline can help to improve the symptoms of those patients who are suffering from mild forms of Alzheimer's.

Another condition, Parkinson's is caused by the deterioration of the motor neurons that can cause stiffness and finally, trembling in extremities. Choline may help to relieve these symptoms. 

6) Low levels of choline may increase cancer

Higher levels of Homocysteine are a potential risk for cancer. If there isn't enough Choline to break down the Homocysteine, cancer may be at an increased risk.

According to one study, higher levels were also associated with the most lethal of prostate cancers. Higher levels of choline are concentrated in prostate cancer, and the blood concentrations have also been associated with an increased risk for prostate cancer. 

Interestingly, higher levels in the diet can help to decrease the incidence of developing breast cancer. The study shows that mutations in the gene that break down the choline may be what increases the risk of breast cancer.

7) Choline may help the following: Schizophrenia, Autism, and Bipolar Disorder

Autism and schizophrenia may be due to a maternal iron deficiency that occurs during gestation. It was found in rats, that prenatal choline supplements may help to lower the likelihood of subjects that may be at a higher risk of developing these conditions later in life.

Autism and schizophrenia are possibly due to genetic predispositions that may also be able to be avoided by the proper prenatal supplementations. In the rats, the supplements helped to reduce the incidence in the at-risk subjects of their developing such conditions later in life. Autism and schizophrenia may be avoided if the mother takes the proper prenatal supplementation.

Many studies show improved cognitive and memory after being treated. Some studies have shown that it may also help in bipolar disorders and it might help as a complement to pharmaceutical intervention. 

8) Choline may improve the recovery in traumatic brain injuries

Recoveries from traumatic brain injuries may be long and take a lot of patience. The Choline has been known to help them recover more quickly. 

9) High levels of choline could improve athletic performance

Studies that higher levels of the Alpha GPC can improve the performance of weight-lifting. When on low levels of the Choline, such athletes had muscle damage. 

10) High choline levels may also decrease appetite

Higher levels of the choline, those of 2000 mg per day, have been shown to reduce appetite. 

Choline Review

Pros

  • Choline improves cognitive performance.
  • Choline helps improve Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
  • Choline may improve Schizophrenia, Autism, and Bipolar disorders.
  • Choline source to support memory function.
  • Increases attention, focus & energy.
  • Neuroprotective for brain cell health.

Cons

  • In some individuals may cause an upset stomach.
  • In some individuals may cause diarrhea.
  • In some individuals may cause vomiting.

11) Choline might help in treating drug addiction

Evidence has shown that it may also help to reduce addiction in drug addicts who are addicted to such substances as cocaine.

12) Essential for fetal development

It's vital to fetal development. Choline isn't consumed in large enough amounts by pregnant women. In the early years of childhood, during breastfeeding, the mother needs to consume plenty of choline. It's vital to helping build up the baby's nervous system and for their cell and tissue development. 

Fetal alcohol syndrome disorders are caused when the mother consumes alcohol while she's pregnant and studies show that if the mother consumes choline, it may help with this. It may also help mitigate the symptoms of such conditions in infants. 

13) Choline is vital to gene expression in development

It can help to determine a person's characteristics. Many of the genes in the body can be turned off, and others can be turned on. Most of the gene expressions are determined while the gestational period is underway. Some of the genes are turned off, and others are turned on according to the levels of choline. 

Betaine, which is a choline metabolite, is vital to give the right methylation enzymes in the methyl groups. If there isn't any, then the gene expression won't be altered. 

14) Low levels of choline can prevent proper lipid metabolomics in intestines

Phosphatidylcholine is vital for lipid metabolism. The intention requires so much and specific levels to work correctly. Studies were done in rats who were a lactating show that low levels lead to unmetabolized lipids remaining in the intestinal tract.

They can also reduce the absorption surface of the intestines. 

15) Choline may improve glaucoma symptoms

Glaucoma is a condition that is caused when there is a pressure that builds up behind the optic nerve in the eye. Glaucoma can lead to blindness. Studies show that choline may complement other forms of glaucoma treatment.

Humans that are on diets low in Choline may have creatine phosphokinase or leakage from their cells. The leakage may cause the cells to die, and damage to their DNA.

Methylation requires choline to supply it. If there isn't enough, homocysteine can't be converted into the methionine. The Homocysteine will remain and can lead to cardiovascular diseases. The accumulation can cause cardiovascular conditions.

CDP choline can also slightly reduce blood pressure that may help to reduce cardiovascular diseases. However, it can be degraded by the microbes in the gut and increase other levels that may be serious to cardiovascular conditions as well. 

Buying Choline Supplements

If you're seeking a supplement to give you the full cognitive health and function, Neuro Optimizer is recommended as it contains the Choline and other brain-boosting ingredients.

Both of the Alpha GPC and the CDP choline are excellent sources of the Choline that reach the brain. I like Alpha GPC. The following choline supplements are all great:

Alpha GPC:

CDP Choline:

Choline Sources:

Dosing and Dietary Sources

Food rich in choline include:

  • Eggs
  • Fish
  • Chicken
  • Liver
  • Nuts

Someone who eats a vegan diet is at a higher risk of low choline in their body. It's recommended that adult males consume 550 mg of the choline daily, adult females require 425 mg daily.

Pregnant women should have 450 mg, and lactating women need 550 mg of choline daily. 

Side Effects and Risks

  • Upset stomach
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting

According to one study, higher levels of choline were also associated with an increased risk of a lethal form of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer cells have an increased amount of choline in them, and their blood concentration has also shown an increased level. 

The microbes in the gut can degrade the choline to TMAO, and it can increase the levels that are found in cardiovascular diseases.

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