What is Choline Supplement?
A choline supplement is a dietary supplement. Dietary supplements include vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients your body needs to function.
Choline supplements increase the level of choline in your body. You may take a choline supplement if you’re not getting enough choline in your diet.
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Choline is in many different foods as part of a healthy diet. However, you can supplement choline with a dietary supplement if you need to increase the amount in your body. Choline supplements are available as dietary supplements that:
- Contain choline only.
- Are combined with B-complex vitamins.
- Are part of a multivitamin or multimineral.
What are the benefits of a choline supplement?
A choline supplement can help ensure your body is getting enough choline to function properly. It may also help reduce your risk of fatty liver disease, muscle damage, and other health conditions.
Who should use a choline supplement?
Most people don’t need to worry about the amount of choline they get each day. However, certain groups of people can use choline supplements to make sure they’re getting enough. These people include:
- Vegans and vegetarians.
- People who are pregnant.
- People with certain genetic disorders.
- People who are fed through their veins (intravenously).
Should I take a choline supplement during my pregnancy?
Yes. It’s very important to get enough choline while you’re pregnant. Choline supports your baby’s brain and spinal cord development. Choline deficiency during pregnancy can cause birth defects. These defects include cleft lip, hypospadias, and cardiac defects.
In addition, research has shown children whose birth parents took proper levels of choline have better attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Prenatal vitamins typically contain little if any choline. Therefore, your healthcare provider may recommend a choline supplement in addition to your prenatal vitamin.
Are there risks to my pregnancy if I’m taking choline supplements?
No. Taking a choline supplement at the recommended dose poses no known side effects or risks to the development of your unborn baby.
Do I need to worry about any interactions while taking choline supplements?
Choline supplements don’t have any known interactions with medications or other supplements. However, it’s important to talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking any supplements or other over-the-counter medications.
What are the side effects of taking choline supplements?
Taking too much choline can cause a range of side effects. These side effects include:
- A fishy body odor.
- Vomiting.
- Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis).
- Excessive salivation.
- Low blood pressure (hypotension).
- Liver damage.
- Heart attack (myocardial infarction).
- Stroke.
Some research also indicates that taking too much choline increases your risk of heart disease.
What’s the difference between a choline supplement and a CDP-choline supplement?
CDP-choline stands for cytidine-phosphocholine. CDP-choline is composed of choline and another nutrient called cytidine. A CDP-choline supplement provides both choline and cytidine.
Where can I buy choline supplements?
Choline supplements are available over-the-counter (without a prescription). You can purchase them online. They’re also available at retail stores including:
- Grocery stores.
- Drug stores.
- General merchandise retailers.
- Natural food stores.
- Specialty health and nutrition stores.