Choline is one of the B-complex vitamins and is a component of lecithin. Though choline can be manufactured internally from amino acids methionine and serine, it has recently been designated an essential nutrient.1 It is necessary for the production of acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter. Low levels of this neurotransmitter are associated with the memory loss of Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease. It is also essential for the metabolism of fats and the removal of fat from the liver. In humans, choline deficiency can lead to liver impairment.
Choline supplementation is a popular method of lowering cholesterol in Europe. Primarily in the phosphatidylcholine (PC) form, choline supplements increase the solubility of cholesterol, which decreases cholesterol's ability to induce atherosclerosis. PC also helps in lowering cholesterol levels, removing cholesterol from tissue deposits, and inhibiting platelet aggregation.2 (In Germany, PC is used as a treatment for several liver problems. In the United States, it is available only in health food stores as a dietary supplement.) A 1995 study found patients with high cholesterol and triglyceride levels to have a 33% decrease in triglyceride levels and a 46% increase in HDL cholesterol after one month of PC supplementation.3
The use of PC for treating liver damage has been thoroughly researched. Over 100 studies have been done on subjects with liver damage, many of them conducted double-blind. These tests have been conducted at various stages of liver deterioration triggered by causes ranging from alcoholism to chronic liver viruses. Almost unanimously, researchers have concluded that as a dietary supplement, PC helps protect the liver against a variety of other toxic onslaughts besides alcohol and viruses, including pharmaceuticals, chlorinated hydrocarbons and radiation exposure.4
Many symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are believed to result from decreased levels of acetylcholine in the brain. Though a 1994 study showing increased levels of acetylcholine can improve the memory of Alzheimer's patients, many patients do not respond to choline supplements. Test results have been mixed. Choline or lecithin are probably most helpful in the early stages of short-term memory loss.5
Choline is sometimes beneficial in treating bipolar, or manic depression. The mania associated with this disease may be due to decreased choline activity in the brain. Supplements raise these levels and may subsequently improve manic symptoms. Patients with unipolar or clinical depression should avoid supplements, as higher doses may increase feelings of depression.6
1 Canty DJ and Zeisel SH, Lecithin and choline in human health and disease. Nutr Reviews 1994, 52: 327-339.
2 Brook JG, Linn S, and Aviram M, Dietary soya lecithin decreases plasma triglyceride levels and inhibits collagen- and ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Biochem Med metabol Biol 35, 31-39, 1986.
3 Wojcicki J, et. al., Clinical evaluation of lecithin as a lipid-lowering agent. Phytotherapy Res, 9, 597-599, 1995.
4 Kidd, P, PhosphatidylCholine as an aid to liver function, NFM's Nutrition Science News 1996; 1:8, 54.
5 Rosenberg G and Davis KL, The use of cholinergic precursors in neuropsychiatric diseases. Am J Clin Nutr 36, 709-720, 1982; Levy R, Little A, Chuaqui P, and Reith M, Early results from double blind, placebo controlled trial of high dose phosphatidylcholine in Alzheimer's Disease. Lancet 1, 474-476, 1982; and Sitaram N, Weingartner B, Gaine ED, and Cillin JC, Choline: Selective enhancement of serial learning and encoding of low imagery words in man. Life Sci 22, 1555-1560, 1978.
6 Wurtman R, Barbeau A, and Growdon J, Choline and lecithin in brain disorders. Nutrition and the Brain, Vol. 5. Raven Press, New York, NY, 1979; Cohen B, Miller A, Lipinski J, and Pope H, Lecithin in mania: a preliminary report. Am J Psychiat 137, 242, 243, 1980; and Cohen B, Lipinski J, and Altesman R, Lecithin in the treatment of mania: Double-blind, placebo controlled trials. Am J Psychiat 139, 1162-1164, 1982.
CHOLINE: SOURCES
Available as:
1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.
CHOLINE: PROVEN BENEFITS
What this supplement does:
1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.
CHOLINE: UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS
1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.
CHOLINE: SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Miscellaneous information:
1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.
CHOLINE: DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
There are no specific deficiency symptoms in man, although some animals can suffer from lack of choline. Lecithin must be present for choline synthesis in the human body.1
1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.
CHOLINE: UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of heart or blood-vessel disease.
Decreasing mental alertness.1
1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.
CHOLINE: LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY
None available, except for experimental purposes.1
1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.
CHOLINE: OPTIMAL LEVELS
Up to 100 mg.
CHOLINE: MINIMUM DOSAGE
No RDA has been established.
CHOLINE: WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Check with your doctor if you have any questions.
Effect on lab tests:
Storage:
Others:
1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.
Signs and symptoms:
What to do:
1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.
Reaction or effect What to do
"Fishy" body odor Discontinue. Call doctor when convenient.
Loss of appetite Discontinue. Call doctor when convenient.
Nausea Discontinue. Call doctor when convenient.
Abdominal bloating Discontinue. Call doctor when convenient.
Gastrointestinal pain Discontinue. Call doctor when convenient.
Diarrhea Discontinue. Call doctor when convenient.1
1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.
Interacts with Combined effect
Nicotinic acid (nicotinamide, Decreases choline effectiveness. Vitamin B-3)
Methyl donors Work with choline to conserve carnitine and folic acid.1
1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements
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