Metabolics Choline (as Choline Bitartrate) 240 mg 60 Capsules

Choline is an essential water-soluble nutrient and is considered part of the B vitamin complex. The body makes choline in small amounts, but it is important to get enough to meet the body's needs through diet or appropriate supplementation. Choline is found predominantly as phosphatidylcholine in beef liver, wheat germ and eggs, so vegetarians and vegans are at risk of deficiency.

Choline is a very important but little known vitamin.

Choline contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism. Homocysteine is a naturally occurring amino acid in the blood that is created when the body breaks down an amino acid called methionine. It should be broken down into cystathione, which is then excreted from the body. High levels of homocysteine can thicken and damage artery walls. Some people with autism have been found to have high levels of homocysteine. Choline is a precursor for the formation of betaine. Betaine acts as a methyl donor in the remethylation of homocysteine in the liver by the enzyme betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase. Diets low in choline tend to increase plasma concentrations of homocysteine. One human intervention study showed a significant decrease in plasma concentrations of homocysteine following choline administration.
Choline contributes to normal lipid metabolism. Choline is a precursor of phospholipids and plays a role in the structural integrity and fluidity of cell membranes. The predominant phospholipid in the cell wall is phosphatidylcholine. Cells constantly require these phospholipids for normal function.
Choline contributes to the maintenance of normal liver function.
Choline also plays a role in the transport and metabolism of lipids and cholesterol.
Dietary fat and cholesterol are transported to the liver by lipoproteins called chylomicrons. In the liver, fat and cholesterol are packaged into very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) so they can be transported through the blood to needy tissues. Phosphatidylcholine is required as a component of VDLPs and without sufficient phosphatidylcholine, fat can accumulate in the liver (fatty liver = hepatosteatosis). Choline deficiency is also associated with liver damage (increased serum alanine aminotransferase activity). Studies in which people have developed fatty liver due to a diet low in choline have shown complete reversal with the administration of sufficient dietary choline.
This makes choline a vital nutrient not only for the adult, but also for the developing fetus and child. This is why Metabolics includes choline in the Preconception and Prenatal formulations.

People taking methotrexate to treat psoriasis, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis have increased choline requirements. There is currently no RDA or upper limit, although the Linus Pauling Institute recommends 550 mg/day for men and 425 mg for women.

Each 600 mg capsule of Metabolics Choline Bitartrate provides 240 mg of choline, so the recommended daily dosage is 1 capsule per day with a meal.