"Choline was recently determined to be an essential nutrient by the Institute of Medicine. In adults, choline deficiency results in liver damage in humans....Pregnancy has been shown to deplete choline pools, and the demand for choline by a developing fetus could put the mother and the 'unborn child] at risk for choline deficiency. Prenatal choline deficiency has been associated with altered 'memory], increased 'programmed cell death], reduced cell proliferation, and abnormal cell 'development] in the fetal 'brain.]"

This study by Drs. Fisher, Zeisel, Mar and Sadler of the Depts. of Cell Biology and Nutrition, School of Medicine, U. of N. Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, appeared in FASEB Journal, Vol. 16, No. 6, 2002.

Also observed was the potential deleterious effects of the dietary supplement DMAE, which is a choline inhibitor. One producer, Twin Labs, Inc., sells a "choline cocktail" containing both choline and its inhibitor, DMAE. We wonder where that takes you.

DETAILS: FDA suggested intake of choline is 550 milligrams (mgs.) for men and 425 for women. Pregnancy intake is 450 mgs., though this seems a bit low. Choline is found in meats and dairy foods, and soy beans. Lecithin supplements contain choline, but one should check for specific content.

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