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
A small study of CFS patients found increased choline in the basal ganglia, another in the occipital cortex.

Increased choline has been found in the certain brain structures of CFS patients, suggesting a possible increased oxidation of the cell membranes of neurons in these regions.

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