Dr Mercola wrote:
- While choline has been a known substance since 1862, it’s only in relatively recent years that it’s been identified as an essential nutrient, and 90 percent of the population isn’t getting enough
- Choline helps your liver, brain, muscles, nervous system and overall metabolism function, and is critical during fetal development, for healthy brain and nervous system function, DNA synthesis, and carrying cholesterol from your liver
- Adequate daily intake is 425 milligrams per day for women, 550 milligrams per day for men and 250 milligrams for children to help prevent deficiency and potential organ and muscle damage
- Organic, pastured egg yolks are one of the best food sources of choline, and krill oil contains 69 choline-containing phospholipids to synthesize phosphatidylcholine, also known as lecithin, a critical component of human cell membranes
Choline is sometimes grouped with vitamin B complex (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9 and B12) because their functions, such as how your liver, brain, muscles, nervous system and overall metabolism work, also help maintain optimal health and stave off disease.
For instance, studies show higher choline intake to be linked to a decreased heart disease risk,4 as well as a 24 percent decreased breast cancer risk among 1,508 women studied.5 This nutrient performs in several different ways throughout your body, including:
- Cell messaging, by producing cell-messaging compounds6
- Cell structure, making fats to support your cell membrane composition
- Fat transport and metabolism, as choline is needed to carry cholesterol from your liver, and a choline deficiency could result in excess fat and cholesterol buildup7
- DNA synthesis, aiding in the process along with other vitamins, such as folate and vitamin B12
- Nervous system health, because choline is necessary for making acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in healthy muscle, heart and memory performance
In Krill, Phosphatidylcholine may:
- Help optimize cholesterol
- Protect against liver disease including hepatitis
- Help alcoholics prevent cirrhosis
- Reduce digestive tract inflammation
- Lessen symptoms of ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Choline Deficiency Risk Higher for Certain People
Another review indicated that higher periconceptional choline intake was associated with reduced neural tube defect risk.18 Choline deficiency in pregnant moms may also raise the risk of problems such as premature birth, low birth weight andpreeclampsia. Other at-risk individuals for choline deficiency include:
- Athletes: During endurance exercise, such as a marathon, choline levels deplete. Choline supplementation before severe physical stress had varying advantageous effects in studies.19,20 Choline supplementation may quickly reduce body mass without side effects.21
- High alcohol consumers: Excess alcohol consumption can both increase your need for more choline and your risk of deficiency.22
- Postmenopausal women: Lower estrogen concentrations in postmenopausal women increased their risk of organ dysfunction in response to a low-choline diet, so their requirements are higher than those of premenopausal women.23
- Vegetarians: Choline supplementation may also be important for this demographic, as they have an elevated risk for deficiency
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https://clubalthea.com/2016/10/14/your-complete-dna-sequence-will-help-shape-the-future-of-medicine/
