6 replies to this topic

[Blue]

"Choline was officially recognized as an essential nutrient by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in 1998. There is a significant variation in the dietary requirement for choline that can be explained by common genetic polymorphisms. Because of its wide-ranging roles in human metabolism, from cell structure to neurotransmitter synthesis, choline-deficiency is now thought to have an impact on diseases such as liver disease, atherosclerosis and possibly neurological disorders. Choline is found in a wide variety of foods. Egg yolks are the most concentrated source of choline in the American diet, providing 680 milligrams per 100 grams. Mean choline intakes for older children, men, women and pregnant women are far below the Adequate Intake established by the IOM. Given the importance of choline in a wide range of critical functions in the human body, coupled with less than optimal intakes among the population, dietary guidance should be developed to encourage the intake of choline-rich foods."

Full text review
http://www.ncbi.nlm....les/PMC2782876/

Choline is interesting since very few have a dietary intake that is above the Adequate Intake. Which may even be too low for a substantial part of the population (see the article). Also not present in substantial amounts in most multis (it is bulky).

[maxwatt]

Preparation of the article was made possible with an unrestricted education grant from the Egg Nutrition Center.

Eggs are the single most significant source of choline in the American diet.

[Blue]

Preparation of the article was made possible with an unrestricted education grant from the Egg Nutrition Center.

Missed that. Still, a not uninteresting but biased presentation of pro-choline research.

[stephen_b]

Thanks for the topic. I was unaware of this:

Intakes of choline and betaine have been associated with lower homocysteine levels, whether intake of each nutrient is considered independently or in combination and whether the source is from food or supplements.

It cites this study that used 2.6 g/day of phosphatidylcholine:

A high daily dose of choline, supplemented as phosphatidylcholine, lowers fasting as well as postmethionine-loading plasma tHcy concentrations in healthy men with mildly elevated tHcy concentrations. If high homocysteine concentrations indeed cause cardiovascular disease, choline intake may reduce cardiovascular disease risk in humans.

A single large hard boiled egg provides 113 mg of choline.

[Blue]

Thanks for the topic. I was unaware of this:

Intakes of choline and betaine have been associated with lower homocysteine levels, whether intake of each nutrient is considered independently or in combination and whether the source is from food or supplements.

It cites this study that used 2.6 g/day of phosphatidylcholine:

A high daily dose of choline, supplemented as phosphatidylcholine, lowers fasting as well as postmethionine-loading plasma tHcy concentrations in healthy men with mildly elevated tHcy concentrations. If high homocysteine concentrations indeed cause cardiovascular disease, choline intake may reduce cardiovascular disease risk in humans.

A single large hard boiled egg provides 113 mg of choline.

2.6 phosphatidylcholine is about 340 mg choline. For comparison, the Adequate Intake (AI) is 550 mg for men and 425 for women.

[Blue]

This is a really interesting human study where high dose choline beats standard pharmaceutical therapy in asthma patients. But small and does not seem to be placebo controlled. Hopefully someone will follow this up despite choline not being patentable. It was done in India so there may be various differences to developed nations (although not unlikely these asthma patients were middle-class).

"Asthma is a chronic immune inflammatory disease characterized by variable airflow obstruction and increased bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR). Therapeutic interventions reduce airway inflammation and relieve symptoms but associated with potential side effects that limit their usefulness. The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of choline on immune inflammation and BHR in asthma subjects. The patients of asthma (n=76) were recruited and treated with choline supplement (1500 mg twice) or standard pharmacotherapy for 6 months in two groups. The patients were evaluated by clinical, immunologic and biochemical parameters. The treatment with choline showed significant reduction in symptom/drug score and improvement in PC20 FEV1 compared to baseline or standard pharmacotherapy (p<0.01). Choline therapy significantly reduced IL-4, IL-5 and TNF-α level as compared to baseline or standard pharmacotherapy after 6 months (p<0.01). Blood eosinophil count and total IgE levels were reduced in both the treatment groups. Cysteinyl leukotriene and leukotriene B4 were suppressed significantly by choline treatment (p<0.01). This was accompanied by decreased 8-isoprostanes, a biomarker for oxidative stress after choline treatment (p<0.01). Choline therapy modulates immune inflammation and suppresses oxidative stress in asthma patients. It can be used as an adjunct therapy for asthma patients."
http://dx.doi.org/10...bio.2009.09.004

Edited by Blue, 20 March 2010 - 08:13 PM.

[aaCharley]

Preparation of the article was made possible with an unrestricted education grant from the Egg Nutrition Center.

Eggs are the single most significant source of choline in the American diet.

I won't believe any study on health benefits of eggs until I find one funded by the Corn Growers Association.