Choline: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
a:0:{}
Scientific name(s)
Trimethylethanolamine
Family or group:
Pseudovitamins
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Hepatic steatosis ✪✪✪✪✪
Intravenous administration of choline is useful for treating hepatic steatosis secondary to choline deficiency in patients receiving exclusive parenteral nutrition. A dose of 1 to 4 grams per day of choline chloride for 24 weeks has been used.
Posologie
Orally
1 - 4 g
24 - weeks
Choline deficiency causes reversible hepatic abnormalities in patients receiving parenteral nutrition: proof of a human choline requirement: a placebo-controlled trial
Choline deficiency: a cause of hepatic steatosis during parenteral nutrition that can be reversed with intravenous choline supplementation
Hepatic disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
Dietary choline deficiency leads to an accumulation of hepatic fatty acids (triglycerides). Indeed, the decrease in choline leads to a decrease in phosphatidylcholine (PC) synthesis, a lipid composition consisting of a choline residue, a phosphate, and a glycerol residue. PC promotes the synthesis of VLDL (a lipoprotein) that transfers triglycerides from the liver to plasma. Choline deficiency is rare, occurring, for instance, in individuals receiving long-term total parenteral nutrition, suggesting that dietary choline is needed in addition to the amount usually synthesized by the body. On the other hand, in animal models, long-term consumption of a choline-deprived diet can lead to hepatocarcinoma (a primary liver cancer).
Posologie
Orally
250 - 500 mg
Choline deficiency causes reversible hepatic abnormalities in patients receiving parenteral nutrition: proof of a human choline requirement: a placebo-controlled trial
Choline deficiency: a cause of hepatic steatosis during parenteral nutrition that can be reversed with intravenous choline supplementation
Asthma ✪✪✪✪✪
Oral choline supplementation seems to reduce the severity and duration of asthma symptoms, and the need for bronchodilators in asthmatic patients. There is evidence that high doses of 3 grams per day could be more effective than lower doses of 1.5 grams per day.
Posologie
Orally
1.5 - 3 g
4 - months
Pregnancy ✪✪✪✪✪
Epidemiological data suggest that women with high dietary choline intake during pregnancy have a lower risk of having a fetus with a neural tube defect compared to women with low intake. The adequate daily intake of choline for pregnant women, defined by EFSA, is 480 mg.
Posologie
Orally
480 mg
Fetal development ✪✪✪✪✪
When used during pregnancy, choline appears to increase cell proliferation and decrease apoptosis in the fetal hippocampus. During lactation, choline seems to enhance hippocampal growth in infants. Epidemiological studies suggest that women who consume high amounts of dietary choline around conception are at lower risk of having a child with a neural tube defect than those who consume less.
Posologie
Orally
480 mg
Properties
Cardiovascular
Choline can be oxidized into betaine, which acts as a methyl donor to convert homocysteine into methionine, and then into S-adenosylmethionine. Thus, choline dietary intake could decrease homocysteine levels, which is known as a risk factor in cardiovascular diseases.
Hepato-protective
Dietary choline deficiency leads to an accumulation of hepatic fatty acids (triglycerides). Indeed, the decrease in choline leads to a decrease in phosphatidylcholine (PC) synthesis, a lipid composition consisting of a choline residue, a phosphate, and a glycerol residue. PC promotes the synthesis of VLDL (a lipoprotein) that transfers triglycerides from the liver to plasma. Choline deficiency is rare, occurring, for instance, in individuals receiving long-term total parenteral nutrition, suggesting that dietary choline is needed in addition to the amount usually synthesized by the body. On the other hand, in animal models, long-term consumption of a choline-deprived diet can lead to hepatocarcinoma (a primary liver cancer).
Usages associés
Anti-inflammatory
Choline selectively activates the alpha-7 nicotinic receptors to acetylcholine, present on immune cells. Their activation results in decreased production of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF).
Usages associés
Neurological
In nervous tissue, choline is a component of cell membranes. It is necessary for the synthesis of phospholipids and involved in brain development, neurotransmission, and signaling. Some evidence suggests that patients with schizophrenia have reduced expression of alpha-7 nicotinic receptors to acetylcholine, which play a role in normal cognitive processes, including attention and memory. There is evidence that choline supplementation can increase the density of alpha-7 nicotinic receptors to acetylcholine.
Safety dosage
Adult from 18 years: 400 mg
Infant from 7 to 11 months: 160 mg
Child from 1 to 3 years: 140 mg
Child from 4 to 6 years: 170 mg
Child from 7 to 10 years: 250 mg
Child from 11 to 14 years: 340 mg
Child from 15 to 17 years: 400 mg
Pregnant woman from 18 years: 480 mg
The adequate daily intake of choline for pregnant women, defined by EFSA, is 480 mg.
Lactating woman from 18 years: 520 mg
Interactions
Médicaments
Atropine: low interaction
Animal research shows that administering choline one hour before atropine can inhibit the reduction of acetylcholine in the brain induced by atropine. Theoretically, concurrent use of choline and atropine can decrease the effects of atropine.
Precautions
Urinary disorders: use with caution
Orally, high doses of choline (9 grams per day) may worsen urinary incontinence.
Depression: avoid
Choline intake is not recommended for individuals with depression to avoid a possible aggravation of symptoms.
Parkinson's disease: avoid
It is suggested that higher levels of acetylcholine cause dyskinesia—uncontrolled involuntary movements—observed in people with Parkinson's on long-term dopamine treatment. Choline supplementation (which is a precursor to acetylcholine) should therefore be avoided by those with Parkinson's.
