Benefits of Choline- A Key Element in Lowering Blood Pressure, but Not the Only One

Jul 30, 2018
1 min read

Summary Taken from https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/other-nutrients/choline

Choline is a vitamin-like essential nutrient involved in many physiological processes, including normal metabolism and transport of lipids,/ Cholesterol.
Choline deficiency causes muscle damage and abnormal deposition of fat in the liver, which results in a condition called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
There is a genetic predisposition that can influence an induviduals need for Choline. This is why some need more than others.
Gender can also influence individual variations in choline requirements
The recommended adequate intake (AI) of choline is set at 425 milligrams (mg)/day for women and 550 mg/day for men.
Choline alone will not lower blood pressure, but greatly facilitates the process.
The need for choline is probably increased during pregnancy.
Animal studies have shown that choline is essential for optimal brain development and influences cognitive function in later life.
Good dietary sources of choline include eggs, meat, poultry, fish, cruciferous vegetables, peanuts, and dairy products.
Excessive consumption of choline (≥7,500 mg) has been associated with blood pressure lowering, sweating, fishy body odor, and gastrointestinal side effects. The tolerable upper intake level (UL) for adults is 3,500 mg/day.

Although choline is not by strict definition a vitamin, it is an essential nutrient. Despite the fact that humans can synthesize it in small amounts, choline must be consumed in the diet to maintain health. The majority of the body's choline is found in specialized fat molecules known as phospholipids, the most common of which is called phosphatidylcholine.