The essential nutrient choline is generally easy to obtain through diet, particularly from animal products, but also from sources such as peanuts and broccoli. Choline deficiency is unusual, and although the substance is purported to help with certain health conditions, taking supplemental choline does not have any well-established benefits, according to Brigham and Women's Hospital. In addition, some risks are associated with supplemental choline. Consult a qualified health care practitioner before you take choline supplements.
Claimed Benefits
Choline supplements are said to be useful for treating neurological disorders such as tardive dyskinesia, Huntington's disease, Tourette's syndrome, Alzheimer's disease and pre-senile dementia. Choline supplements also are promoted as helpful for treating fatty liver and cirrhosis from alcohol-related damage, reducing cholesterol levels, controlling mood swings, lowering blood pressure, improving memory and boosting athletic performance. However, scientific evidence is lacking to verify these claims, says the Brigham and Women's Hospital website.
Digestive Effects
Recommended doses of choline range from 650 mg to 2 g per day, and even that dosage might cause stomach pain, loose stools or diarrhea, according to Brigham and Women's Hospital. Taking large doses of 10 g or more per day might cause sweating, salivation, vomiting and a fishy body odor, cautions the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. The fishy body odor is due to the excessive production of trimethylamine during the metabolism of large doses of choline, and the subsequent excretion of this substance.
Low Blood Pressure
Large doses of 7.5 g or more of choline per day might have a hypotensive effect, meaning it could reduce blood pressure, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. If your blood pressure drops too low, this can cause dizziness or fainting. Large doses of choline also are associated with heart rhythm irregularities.
Depression
Large doses of choline supplements also might cause depression in some people, reports Brigham and Women's Hospital. You should not take this supplement if you have clinical depression or bipolar disorder.
Contraindications
The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine has established a tolerable upper intake level of choline at 3.5 g per day for generally healthy adults. Certain health disorders increase the risk of negative effects from choline when taken at or near this level, including liver or kidney disease, Parkinson's disease and the genetic disorder trimethylaminuria, according to the Linus Pauling Institute.
Member Comments