Choline Supplements for Health

| Modified on Oct 25, 2018

A chemical similar to the B-vitamins, choline is one of the lesser known vitamins. Especially important for its role in early development, choline is important throughout life for supporting brain and liver function and much more. While often “lumped” in with the B-vitamins, choline is not yet officially considered part of the family; however, it is important for treating a variety of conditions.

What is Choline?

Although not officially recognized as a vitamin belonging to the B-complex family, choline is recognized as a required nutrient that needs to be part of an everyday meal plan. Described as an essential water-soluble nutrient, choline is an organic compound necessary for life’s most essential functions, including basic cellular structure, nutrient transportation and metabolism.

While it was once thought that the human body could produce enough choline with adequate supplies of other nutrients, research now suggests the supplement must be derived from the diet. The nutrient can be found in a wide variety of common foods including eggs, fish, beef, pork, vegetable oil and chicken.

Health Benefits of Choline Citrate

While previously not considered a key nutrient, researchers now suggest that choline may be more important than previously thought. This nutrient plays a role in many of the metabolic processes and reactions in the body and is especially important in the nervous system. It possesses a variety of other purposes as well.

Produced by the liver, the nutrient is also important for treating diseases of the liver, such as hepatitis and cirrhosis. The compound also treats depression, memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, Huntington’s chorea, Tourette syndrome, brain disorders, seizures and schizophrenia.

Choline has a variety of other purposes as well. Athletes rely on choline to enhance bodybuilding and delay fatigue during endurance sports. Pregnant women take choline to prevent deficiencies during pregnancy and after birth that may result in defects. The nutrient is also used for averting cancer, regulating blood pressure and cholesterol and controlling asthma.

From boosting brain function to treating asthma, choline is an essential nutrient with a variety of functions. While it was previously not considered a vitamin, choline has been reclassified in recent years and has since been identified as an essential nutrient.




Appetite

Posted by Crazydogjack (New Castle, Pa, USA) on 12/07/2010

Here's a question for all of you Earth Clinic friends.... I started taking Milk Thistle w/Choline for a fatty liver about two weeks ago. I noticed that my appetite has decreased (which isn't a bad thing), and I am wondering if any of you experts out there have any feedback as to why the decrease in appetite and cravings?


Brain Functions

2 User Reviews
5 star (2) 
  100%

Posted by Americantwin (Indianapolis, In) on 09/14/2012
★★★★★

Choline (often taken w/Inositol) has a noticeable effect on brain function, usually in a short time after starting it. Choline is a B vitamin but is not included in B complex supplements in large enough proportions, ( 1,000 mg ) to help mental ability. Choline is great for the liver! You will notice toxic-overload symptoms (nausea, flu-like symptoms) disappearing in a matter of weeks, also. My daughter and I have taken both for years without any noticeable adverse reactions. A chemist at Now Foods told me that Choline supplements are not made from soy (see posted reaction to soy). However, lecithin (from soy) is a source of Cholin, (sometimes spelled without the "e") as are dandelions and egg yolks. Cholin is supposed to be good for the kidneys and I'm puzzled why its properties aren't more praised among the health-minded groups. It's a supplement I would not be without. However, here are some supposed symptoms of excess: (none of which I have personally experienced)

1.) Excess increases muscle tone, causing temporary stiffness or tension

2) Excess is said to cause a fishy smell to skin

3) Choline is said to lower blood pressure

Be careful. Certain distributers try to trick you by labeling the bottle:

Choline/Inositol 500/500mg

when in fact each capsule is only 250 mg. You'll need 1000 mg daily to really tell a difference in your mental capacity, liver function, etc.

Feedback from others appreciated.

500/500 mg


Brain Functions
Posted by Cheryl (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ) on 05/12/2012
★★★★★

I have given my son who has dyslexia and ADHD 1/2 Livolin Forte which has phosphatidyl choline in desperation and surprisingly he has immense changes to his reading ability, cos at age 10 he couldnt read, and he will struggle to spell, but now after barely 1 week on livolin, he has the ability to grasp the phonetic sound some 40% of the words shown to him on sight. Can anyone tell me if it is harmful for him to take that supplement? I have been giving him fish oil but there is not much changes. I check into the internet which say phosphatidyl is helpful for brain problem like alzheimer and dementia. But I will like to share what I had learned so as to help other desperate parents.

Replied by Anonymous
(Maryland)
10/25/2018

Can you please tell if this worked for your son or did you find a better solution for dyslexia? I have looked everywhere and can't find a good remedy.


Youthfulness

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Tom (Park Ridge) on 10/14/2006
★★★★★

I eat foods high in good oils. Also I have very low stress. Additionally, I take choline/inositol supplements. 43 years old but people think I'm in my mid thirties, even though I'm 30 lbs overweight!