Choline.

Choline is a natural food component that plays important functions in the metabolism and utilization of lipid compounds, prevents fatty infiltration of the liver (prevents fatty liver) and other internal organs, involution of the thyroid gland. Choline plays an important role in lipid metabolism in terms of preventing the formation of lipid plaque deposits on the vascular walls.

The body itself is able to synthesize Choline from amino acids: methionine and serine. But in order to synthesize Choline, the body needs foods containing these amino acids. A significant amount of Choline comes with protein products (animal and plant proteins).

Of particular importance for the normal state of the liver parenchyma is the presence of sufficient doses of Choline compounds in the body. Normally, the ratio of adipose tissue and parenchymal tissue of the liver is 5% of the total weight of the liver organ itself. With a lack of Choline, this proportion begins to increase towards the weight value of adipose tissue and can reach high values up to 50% of the weight of the liver.

Choline is found in the body in a synthesized form, in particular in the form of a compound Choline chloride (Cholini Chloridum or its synonyms Cholinium Chloratum, Choline Chloride, Bilineurine, Luridine) in the cells of various tissues, in the tissues of internal organs, runs free and bound in bile, in blood. For the first time, Choline was isolated from bile. The main amount of Choline was found in the tissues of the liver, kidneys, heart, in the nervous tissue and small amounts in muscle tissue. Choline chloride is part of the complex of B vitamins, but according to the results of modern research it is not a vitamin, but is considered a lipotropic agent and hepatoprotector.

Thanks to Choline chloride, another important substance is formed in the body - Acetylcholine (Acetylcholinum) - a neurotransmitter (conductor of nerve impulses), which is one of the main mediators of nervous excitement. In addition to participating in lipid metabolism, Choline chemical compounds indirectly have a specific effect on the tissues of the nervous system, for example, improve memory and learning ability, and can enhance intestinal motility. An overdose of drugs based on Choline compounds can cause severe overexcitation of the nervous system, bradycardia, vomiting, and even collapse.

Increasing the doses of Choline to the required level in the body makes the process of adipose tissue deposition in the structural tissues of internal organs reversible and reduces the degree of obesity of organs. This property of reversibility is the basis for many treatment options with Choline drugs. These drugs are used as intravenous infusions (1% solution in isotonic solutions) or taken orally in the form of solutions (20% Choline chloride solution), one teaspoon (0.17 ounces) 3-5 times a day, according to the specific disease.

An increase in the intake of amino acid compounds and Choline itself with food into the body is included in the program for the prevention of obesity of internal organs and the prevention of the development of atherosclerosis. Foods with a high content of Choline are included in all anti-cholesterol diets; therapeutic diets against obesity; as well as weight loss diets.

The daily requirement for Choline in an adult depends on physical activity on the body and on the ambient temperature.

With moderate physical exertion and temperatures not exceeding 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius), the need for an adult in Choline is from 0.02 to 0.04 ounces. In people with increased physical activity (hard physical labor, professional sports), the daily dose of Choline rises to 0.05 ounces. For adults working in high temperatures or living in hot climates, the requirement for Choline increases to 0.07 ounces.

With a normal balanced diet, corresponding to exercise and calorie expenditure, the daily intake of Choline from food can vary from 0.07 to 0.1 ounces, but provided that the diet includes certain foods rich in choline (Choline chloride) and amino acids from which the body can synthesize it:

Poultry egg yolk (chicken, goose, quail, ostrich, game birds) is 0.06 ounces per 3.5 ounces of product;
Liver (pork) is 0.02 ounces per 3.5 ounces of product;
Liver (beef, bovine, poultry, rabbit) is 0.002 ounces per 3.5 ounces of product;
Kidney (bovine) - 0.01 ounces per 3.5 ounces of product;
Kidneys (pork) - 0.01 ounces per 3.5 ounces of product;
Meat (pork) - 0.002 - 0.004 ounces per 3.5 ounces of product;
Fish fillet (cod salmon) - 0.006 - 0.007 ounces per 3.5 ounces of product;
Fish fillet (herring, capelin) - 0.004 ounces per 3.5 ounces of product;
Legumes (soybeans, beans, white beans) - 0.01 ounces per 3.5 ounces of product;
Rice - 0.004 ounces per 3.5 ounces of product;
Cereals (wheat, corn, rye) - 0.002 ounces per 3.5 ounces of product;
Barley grains – 0.005 ounces per 3.5 ounces of product;
Bread, crispbreads, pastries (wheat) - 0.002 ounces per 3.5 ounces of product;
Bread, crispbreads, biscuits, crackers, biscuits (rye) - 0.002 ounces per 3.5 ounces of product;
White cabbage - 0.01 ounces per 3.5 ounces of product;
Tomatoes - 0.004 ounces per 3.5 ounces of product;
Spinach - 0.01 ounces per 3.5 ounces of product;
Dairy products (milk, cottage cheese, cheese, feta cheese) - 0.0005 - 0.0007 ounces per 3.4 ounces of liquid product or 3.5 ounces of solid product.

For pregnant women in the second half of pregnancy, the need for Choline is 0.035 ounces;

In nursing mothers, the requirement for Choline is 0.05 ounces;

In children under 7 years of age, the need for Choline is up to 0.01 ounces;

In children aged 7-14 years, the need for Choline is up to 0.02 ounces;

In children over the age of 14, the need for Choline is up to 0.035 ounces.

In case of malfunction of the small intestine (inflammation, dysfunction of absorption), Choline does not enter the body in the required quantities, as a result of which lipid metabolism, lipid utilization are disrupted and processes associated with obesity of internal organs, degenerative processes in the liver, as well as vascular atherosclerosis can develop, hypothyroidism.