VITAMINS: Choline

Functions of Choline
Deficiency of Choline
Recommended dietary allowance for Choline
Food sources of Choline
Toxicity of Choline
References

Choline

Functions of Choline

Is very important in controlling fat & cholesterol buildup in the body.
Prevents fat from accumulating in the liver.
Facilitates the movement of fats in the cells.
Helps regulate the kidneys, liver & gallbladder.
Important for nerve transmission; helps improve memory.

Deficiency of Choline

Cirrhosis and fatty degeneration of the liver, hardening of the arteries, heart problems, high blood pressure, hemorrhaging kidneys.

Recommended dietary allowance for Choline

Adequate intake (AI) level for choline is 550 mg/day for men and 425 mg/day for women. For children, the AI was proportionately adjusted for body size.

Food sources of Choline

Lecithin, beef liver, beef heart, egg yolks, wheatgerm, cauliflower, cucumber, peanuts.

Toxicity of Choline

Large oral doses of choline or phosphatidylcholine may be associated with hypotension, sweating, salivation and diarrhea. Large doses of choline can cause a fishy body odor. The Tolerable Upper Limit for adults has been set at 3.5 g/day of choline.

References

Buchman, A. L., Dubin, M. D., Moukarzel, A. A., Jenden, D. J., Roch, M., Rice, K. M. & Gornbein, J. (1995) Choline deficiency: a cause of hepatic steatosis during parenteral nutrition that can be reversed with intravenous choline supplementation. Hepatology 22(5): 1399-1403.
Zeisel, S. (1997) Choline: essential for brain development and function. Adv. Pediatr. 44: 263-295.
Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes, Institute of Medicine. (1998) Dietary Reference Intakes for Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic acid, Biotin, and Choline. National Academy Press, Washington, DC.