Choline is a substance that is considered to be similar to the B vitamins. This substance is involved in many chemical reactions that are happening inside the body. It is found to be essential, especially for the nervous system.
Choline can be created in the liver and can also be found in food items including meats, beans, fish, nuts, spinach, liver, eggs, and peas. It is commonly used for the treatment of liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatitis. In addition, choline is also used as a part of the treatment plan for Alzheimer’s disease, depression, dementia, memory loss, cerebral ataxia, Huntington’s chorea, seizures, Tourette’s disease, and schizophrenia. Choline can also be used for bodybuilding purposes and to delay the fatigue of athletes, especially those who play endurance sports.
Aside from that, this is also added to infant formulas and is found to be effective for the prevention of neural tube defects in babies, when this is taken by the mother during pregnancy. Choline is also effective for the prevention of cancer, regulation of asthma, and reduction of cholesterol. It can be used to control the symptoms of asthma because it can help reduce inflammation. The recommended dosage for people with asthma is 500 mg to 1000 mg of choline, taken three times a day.
Generally, choline is safe for both children and adults, provided it is used properly. Taking high dosages of this substance can be harmful and dosages above the daily upper intake level may cause adverse side effects such as diarrhea, sweating, vomiting, distress in the gastrointestinal system, and fishy body scent.
Although it is not yet proven, there is a concern that increasing the levels of choline intake can heighten the risk for colon cancer. One research suggests that women whose diet is high of choline has a greater risk of getting cancer of the colon. However, further research is needed to verify this.
