Choline

Choline is a major phospholipid and an essential nutrient used as a building block to several other biochemicals in the human body. Although the body manufactures some choline, the majority of what is used needs to be consumed in food, such as eggs, meat, poultry, fish, cruciferous vegetables, peanuts, and dairy products.

Purpose
Choline is used to produce the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.

ME/CFS
Studies utilizing brain MR spectroscopy have shown that CFS patients have elevated levels of choline in numerous brain regions, including the basal ganglia, occipital cortex, and left anterior cingulate. These findings are possibly indicative of increased oxidative stress, abnormal phospholipid metabolism, or increased cell turnover in these regions of the brain. Elevated brain choline or an increased choline to creatine/creatinine ratio is a phenomenon that has been associated with neoplasia, inflammatory demyelination, and infection.

Chemical formula
C5H14NO+

Supplements
Choline supplements include CDP-choline (citicoline), choline chloride, choline bitartrate, and other choline salts.

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) can be used to treat choline deficiency.

Learn more

 * Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center - Choline
 * PubChem - Choline