Choline

Choline is an acetylcholine. Adequate intakes (AI) for this micronutrient of between 425 to 550 milligrams daily, for adults, have been established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences.

History

Choline was discovered by Andreas Strecker in 1864 and essential nutrient by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine (U.S.A.).

Chemistry

Choline is a quaternary N⁺CH₂CH₂OHX⁻. where X⁻ is a counterion such as tartrate. Choline chloride, in mixture with DES ) .

Physiology

  Choline and its pathways.

When choline is trimethylamine, a compound with a fishy odor. Hence, when large amounts of choline are taken the person may suffer from a fishy body odor.

Choline as a supplement

It is well established that supplements of methyl group transfer vitamins cholesterol carrying capacity of lecithin than to the methyl group transfer role of choline.^[specify]

Choline supplements are often taken as a form of 'smart drug' or blood-brain barrier. However, despite choline's lipid insolubility, a choline transporter exists that allows transport across the blood-brain barrier. The efficacy of these supplements in enhancing cognitive abilities is a topic of continuing debate.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that infant formula be made from cow's milk containing choline.^[4]

Due to its role in lipid metabolism, choline has also found its way into nutritional supplements which claim to reduce body fat; but there is little or no evidence to prove that it has any effect on reducing excess body fat or that taking high amounts of choline will increase the rate at which fat is metabolised.

Sources

The foods richest in phosphatidylcholine — the major delivery form of choline — are egg yolks, human digestion is still debated. In 2004, the USDA released its first database of the choline content in common foods.^[5]

The most often available choline lecithin, derived from soy or egg yolks, often used as a food additive. Phosphatidylcholine is also available as a supplement, in pill or powder form. Supplementary Choline is also available as Choline Chloride, which comes as a liquid due to its hydrophilic properties. Choline chloride is sometimes preferred as a supplement because phosphatidylcholine can have gastrointestinal side effects.

Additional images

References

1. ^ Jane Higdon, "Choline", Micronutrient Information Center, Linus Pauling Institute
2. ^ "Choline, PDRHealth
3. ^ "Choline" (An interview with Steven Zeisel, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry), Radio National Health Report with Norman Swan, Monday 17 April 2000
4. ^ Isadora B. Stehlin, "Infant Formula: Second Best but Good Enough", U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
5. ^ "USDA Database for the Choline Content of Common Foods - 2004", USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory