2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
The choline is the newest official member of the vitamin B complex family. Choline has a very similar fat-modifying effect in cell membranes. This allows cell membranes to operate with greater flexibility in handling both water molecules and soluble fats.
Without choline many fat-based nutrients and waste products cannot pass into and out of cells. In addition, choline is chemically unique because it is a trimethyl molecule, which means that three methyl groups are linked.
Choline functions
Maintaining the integrity of cell membranes - choline is a key component of many fats contained in the structures of cell membranes. As cell membranes are almost entirely composed of fat, their flexibility and integrity depend on adequate supply of choline.
Maintaining the metabolism of the methyl group - choline and its chemical uniqueness as a trimethyl molecule makes it extremely important for the metabolism of the methyl group.
Maintaining the activity of the nervous system - choline is a key component of acetylcholine, a molecule that carries messages to the nervous system. Acetylcholine is the body's primary chemical for transmitting messages between nerves and muscles.
The choline reduces chronic inflammation - people who take high average amounts of choline have lower levels of inflammation.
Choline deficiency
The deficit of choline leads to a risk of coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular problems. Minor choline deficiency is associated with fatigue, insomnia, poor ability of the kidneys to concentrate urine, memory problems and neuromuscular imbalances. Increasing choline deficiency can lead to a deficiency of another critical vitamin B - folic acid. Severe nutritional deficiency of choline in turn can lead to liver failure, cardiovascular disease, impaired growth, abnormalities in bone formation, lack of red blood cell formation, infertility, respiratory distress in newborns, renal failure, anemia and high blood pressure. pressure.
Choline overdose
Taking high doses choline (10-15 grams) are associated with the appearance of unusual body odor, vomiting, increased salivation and sweating.
In addition, it can be noted that low intake of other nutrients can lead to choline deficiency. These nutrients include vitamin B3, folic acid, and the amino acid methionine. The reason for this is related to the unusual chemical structure of choline as a trimethyl molecule. Liver problems, including liver cirrhosis, are common factors that contribute to choline deficiency.
Some drugs, such as methotrexate, a drug used primarily to treat cancer but also in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, and anticonvulsant drugs also increase the risk of choline deficiency.
Benefits of choline
Due to its importance in fat metabolism, choline is essential for preventing almost all health problems related to the liver, including alcoholism and cirrhosis. The choline helps to improve the condition in cases of epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, memory problems, neuromuscular diseases, cardiovascular disease, brain disorders, autism, respiratory distress in newborns, anemia, infertility, high blood pressure and more.
Sources of choline
The richest source of choline there are no specific foods, but a food supplement called lecithin. Lecithin is most often added to foods as an emulsifying substance that helps keep nutrients together. Most lecithin is extracted from soy.
Food sources containing choline are: soy and soy products, egg yolk, butter, peanuts and peanut butter, potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes, bananas, milk, oranges, lentils, oats, barley, corn, sesame seeds, flax seeds, and wholemeal wheat bread.
Recommended:
Choline And Inositol - From Which Foods To Get Them?
Choline is a B vitamin that is found in larger amounts in animal products. It is found in egg yolks, beef, liver, chicken liver, fish [cod], caviar, salmon and crabs. Apart from meat products, it is also found in plant products. It can be found in wheat, oats, barley and soybeans.
Foods Containing Choline
The choline is an important nutrient needed for a wide range of functions in the human body - from cell maintenance to the creation of neurotransmitters. Although a rare phenomenon, nedo enough choline affects the increase of liver enzymes and can cause liver disease, cardiovascular disease and even neurological disorders.
Which Foods Contain Choline And What Are They Good For?
Choline is a B vitamin. It is found mainly in foods of animal origin. Rich in the valuable ingredient are egg yolk, butter, milk, beef, liver, kidneys, as well as salmon and crabs. As for plant products - choline is contained in wheat, wheat germ, oats, barley, soybeans.