What you must remember:
- Choline is an essential nutrient in the body
- Thanks to its different metabolic pathways, it has a hepatoprotective and cardioprotective action.
- It also plays a major role in the metabolism of lipids and promotes their elimination.
- It is important to respect the recommended daily doses to avoid any digestive discomfort.
- Choline is part of the formulation of our Easy Digestion supplement, promoting optimal digestion of large meals.
What is Choline?
Choline is an essential nutrient in the body. it is an insoluble organic compound which is part of the composition of cell membranes and which is a precursor of numerous other molecules such as phosphatidylcholine or acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter. Previously, it belonged to the B vitamin family.
It can be synthesized chemically, however it is found more frequently in food. Indeed, certain foods contain a greater or lesser amount of choline. Egg yolk is the most important food, followed by liver and more generally meat and fish. Oilseeds also contain it but to a lesser extent.
Choline plays a role in the transport of lipids, i.e. absorbed fats, and has hepatoprotective properties .
The benefits and virtues of Choline
Choline has many benefits on the liver, fat metabolism and the cardiovascular system.
Choline and hepatoprotective properties
The liver is one of the first organs to handle the choline absorbed from the intestine. Indeed, many uses of this choline occur in this organ. For example, the production of phosphatidylcholine obtained after methylation of choline takes place in the liver. It is also the site of many methylation reactions (addition of a methyl compound to a molecule). Thanks to choline, the liver more easily recovers the methyl groups which will be used for these methylation reactions which support liver cells and limit liver disorders.
Numerous studies have found that a diet rich in choline is associated with a lower risk of developing liver disease.
Choline and fat metabolism
A good intake or supplementation of choline helps promote the good development of molecules such as phosphatidylcholine, which is essential for the formation of fat transporters in the body. Indeed, proper functioning of these transporters leads to better use and elimination of lipids. This promotes better digestion of food and supports the digestive system in its basic functions
Choline and the cardiovascular system
As explained previously, choline is the precursor of certain molecules such as acetylcholine promoting good conversion of homocysteine into methionine. This helps reduce the level of inflammation in blood vessels and contributes to optimal cardiovascular function. Indeed, methionine has an anti-oxidant action on the body.
Indications and dosage of Choline
Choline is generally taken in the form of capsules, tablets or liquid form. It is contraindicated in people suffering from liver disease, depression or Parkinson's disease. The EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) recommends the following daily intake of choline for good effectiveness:
- 400 mg for adults and adolescents
- 140 to 340 mg for children 1 to 14 years old
- 160 mg for infants 7 to 11 months
- 480 mg for pregnant women
- 520 mg for breastfeeding women.
At high doses, choline supplementation can cause numerous digestive discomforts such as nausea, diarrhea or even vomiting.
Bring Choline to your body thanks to DIJO
We have integrated choline into the formulation of our Digestion Facile product in order to promote better digestion, particularly of fats, and limit digestive discomfort. This small one-off product is the ideal ally to regain a feeling of lightness, fight against post-meal fatigue and regain digestive well-being during hearty or difficult-to-digest meals ! Indeed, at DIJO, we are committed to improving your daily life and this little joker is the perfect example to take with you everywhere. For lasting digestive support and a strengthened microbiota, the Light Digestion pack offers you a synergistic association between our favorite treatment , Essential Probiotics and Easy Digestion.
This treatment should be taken as part of a balanced lifestyle in order to observe deep and lasting effects.
Sources :
[1] Zeisel, SH, & da Costa, KA (2009). Choline: an essential nutrient for public health. Nutrition reviews, 67(11), 615–623. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-4887.2009.00246.x
[2] Mehedint, MG, & Zeisel, SH (2013). Choline's role in maintaining liver function: new evidence for epigenetic mechanisms. Current opinion in clinical nutrition and metabolic care, 16(3), 339–345. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCO.0b013e3283600d46
[3] Meyer, K.A., & Shea, J.W. (2017). Dietary Choline and Betaine and Risk of CVD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies. Nutrients, 9(7), 711. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9070711
