8769
0
Posted on Dec 30, 2005, 8 p.m.
By Bill Freeman
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The body uses choline to manufacture other valuable biochemicals, for example the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, and the cell membrane constituents phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin. Choline is found in green leafy vegetables, fish, peanuts, organ meat, soybeans, yeast, wheat germ, and lecithin.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The body uses choline to manufacture other valuable biochemicals, for example the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, and the cell membrane constituents phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin. Choline is found in green leafy vegetables, fish, peanuts, organ meat, soybeans, yeast, wheat germ, and lecithin.
ROLE IN ANTI-AGING:
There is some evidence indicating that choline may help improve cognitive functions such as short-term memory, however this remains unproven. Choline was originally thought to lower cholesterol levels, however extensive clinical trials have failed to find any evidence that choline does have a beneficial effect upon cholesterol levels. Although recent findings suggest that when used with other methyl donors like folate, methionine, and vitamins B12 and B6, choline may help to lower levels of homocysteine. Choline may also have anti-cancer properties.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: Choline DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS include fatty liver and liver damage. THERAPEUTIC DAILY AMOUNT:
RDA is for 550mg men, 400mg for women. Refer to packaging, as different supplements contain varying amounts of choline itself.
MAXIMUM SAFE LEVEL: 3.5g
SIDE EFFECTS/CONTRAINDICATIONS:
When taken as recommended choline should not cause any side effects, however if the recommended dosage is exceeded it may cause abdominal pain and discomfort, nausea, and diaarhea. Large doses of choline (upwards of 9g daily) may cause depression.
