Depression is a serious mental health disorder that can cause a significant impact to your ability to function and affect your feelings of well-being. While a number of treatments may offer some relief from symptoms of depression, dietary supplementation with choline bitartrate, an essential nutrient, may also help. Inform your doctor prior to using any dietary supplements.
About Choline Bitartrate
Choline is an essential nutrient that is required for maintaining proper health. While your body can manufacture small amounts of choline, you also need to have an adequate dietary intake of foods containing choline, such as milk, eggs and liver, in order to meet your nutritional needs. Choline plays an important role in a number of biological processes, including synthesis of cell membranes, nerve impulse transmission and lipid transport and metabolism, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. Choline is sold as a dietary supplement in several forms, such as choline bitartrate, a type of choline salt. Anecdotal evidence suggests that choline bitartrate may help alleviate certain symptoms of depression, although there is virtually no clinical evidence to support this claim.
Depression Facts
Depression is a widespread mental illness, affecting around 121 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. While the symptoms can vary from person to person, depression usually involves a severely lowered mood, sleep and appetite changes, loss of self-esteem, lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed and a variety of body aches and pains. The causes aren't totally understood, however, depression is thought to occur due to a combination of biological, social and psychological factors. Certain treatments, such as medication and psychotherapy, may offer some relief. Dietary supplements such as choline bitartrate may also help.
Evidence
In her book, "Natural Health: Alternatives and Prevention of Disease," naturopathic doctor Mary D. Martino states that choline supplementation may help depression due to its effect on the neurotransmitter known as acetylcholine. Acetylcholine assists with nerve cell messaging and also helps with muscle cell communication. Choline may provide benefits to patients suffering from bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression. The main feature of bipolar disorder is mood swings alternating from depression to mania. A study published in the September 1996 issue of the journal, "Biological Psychiatry," found that four of six patients with bipolar disorder experienced a reduction in mood symptoms while receiving choline treatment. As of the date of this publication, however, there are no studies regarding the specific benefits of choline bitartrate on depressive symptoms.
Considerations
While choline bitartrate may provide some benefits for depression, you should never rely on nutritional supplements to self-treat your symptoms. Depression can become worse if left untreated. Consult your doctor to discuss your condition and obtain treatment advice. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, high doses of choline can be toxic. Additionally, choline may cause interactions with certain medications. Inform your doctor if you choose to use a choline bitartrate supplement.
References
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University: Choline
- World Health Organization: Depression
- "Biological Psychiatry"; Choline in the Treatment of Rapid-Cycling Bipolar Disorder: Clinical and Neurochemical Findings in Lithium-Treated Patients; A. Stoll, et al,; September 1996
- "Natural Health: Alternatives and Disease Prevention"; Mary D. Martino; 2011
