CHOLINE

General Description:

essential for proper fat metabolism
a part of lecithin, which helps to digest, absorb, and carry fats and fat soluble vitamins in the blood
necessary for synthesis of nucleic acids
minimizes excessive deposits of fat and cholesterol in the liver and arteries
essential for the health of the myelin sheaths of the nerves
regulates and improves the function of the liver and gallbladder
necessary for the production of phospholipid, a substance in the blood
useful in the treatment of neuritis
can prevent the formation of gallstones
useful in the treatment of high blood pressure
has been used to treat atherosclerosis, kidney damage, glaucoma, and myasthenia gravis
a part of acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter in the brain and nervous system that regulates a variety of body functions.
helps carry fats through the bloodstream and prevent their deposition on the blood vessel walls
sometimes termed a lipotropic factor
methyl donor in energy metabolism
a condition known as tardive dyskinesia may benefit from choline supplementation

no deficiency syndrome exists
however, prolonged deficiency may cause high blood pressure, cirrhosis and fatty degeneration of the liver, atherosclerosis, and hardening of the arteries
average intake in America is 400-900 mg.

relatively non-toxic
high doses of choline may aggravate depression
mega-doses (15-25 g) may cause gas and diarrhea
a quartet of chemicals in the brain influence depression and one of these if acetylcholine for which choline is used to make
high doses of choline may stimulate Ach formation which could lead to an imbalance of chemicals in the brain which could then lead to depression or anxiety for that matter
choline and morphine and/or anti-depressant drugs are not advisable partnerships

choline naturally occurs in lecithin
widely available, from foods like eggs, to soybeans, to many vegetables and legumes