Choline, an organic, water-soluble compound, is often grouped in the vitamin B family due to its similarities. Like vitamin B's, this nutrient affects several vital bodily functions, such as liver function, healthy brain development, muscle movement, nervous system, and metabolism. For instance, Choline is required to produce phospholipids - vital for the integrity of the cell membrane and nerve cell myelin. Choline is also an essential component of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, and that's why it is so crucial for memory, mood, and muscle control.
In addition, choline has been officially recognized as an essential nutrient since the late 1990s. This means it’s required for normal bodily function and human health. Though your liver can make small amounts, you must obtain the majority through your diet. Given the importance of choline in a wide range of critical functions in the human body, coupled with less than optimal intakes of choline-rich foods (chicken liver, egg yolks, salmon, etc.) among the population, dietary supplementation is worth considering.
Don't kid yourself; this is one essential nutrient, and if we're not consuming enough of it in our diets, then we have to find it elsewhere! And that's the purpose of this review.
How We Choose
There are several factors to consider when choosing the best choline supplement. Here are the key factors we look for:
- First, we want to ensure that the supplement contains an effective dose of choline.
- Second, we want to look for supplements that are free of harmful ingredients and additives and that are manufactured by quality companies.
- Third, we want to choose a supplement with good customer reviews.
- And finally, we want to find a supplement that comes at an affordable price point.
Check out what choices we believe are among Amazon's five top choline supplements today. We hope you'll find one that is just right for you!
Choline & Inositol By NOW Foods
The NOW Foods Choline & Inositol Capsule is a high-quality product that will help you get on the right track to balance your overall health. The main ingredient in this supplement, Choline, at 250 mg, is matched with 250 mg of Inositol, which, when combined, are essential for brain health and nervous system function, as well as supporting healthy nerve transmission and helping your body use fatty acids properly.
In addition, this supplement is Kosher, non-GMO, yeast, dairy, soy, gluten-free, and vegan. It is also highly rated by over 3,900 Amazon consumers at 4.6 stars, with 76% ranking it at five stars. And the price is among the lowest on our list of five, at between nine and ten cents per serving. This product is of excellent value, at one capsule per day and 100 capsules per bottle.
Don't let that price point fool you, though; NOW Foods has an excellent reputation for manufacturing the highest quality products. They have built that reputation with integrity and quality since starting in 1968. Their NPA A-rated GMP certification gives you the confidence to know you are also getting the best.
Choline Bitartrate By NusaPure
If you've been searching for a high-powered choline supplement, NusaPure Choline Bitartrate Powder is a great choice. With a punchy 650 mg of active ingredient per serving, this formulation provides 267 mg of elemental Choline, which is an excellent level and falls right at the upper end of the recommended dose for adult males and females (425mg up to 650mg).
This family-owned company is the youngest on our list of five, founded in 2015. However, they operate a USA-based cGMP Certified manufacturing facility with very high standards. Their capsules are veggie-based, non-GMO, and gluten-free, so they are compatible with a vegan diet.
Each bottle comes with 200 capsules, suitable for 100 days when following the recommended dose of 2 capsules daily. That might be a bit too high of a dose for some people, so you can always dose at just one capsule per day. And the cost per capsule, at around ten cents, also puts it at the low end of our range. Worth considering!
Choline Inositol By Horbäach
If you want to find the best support for your nervous system and cognitive health coupled with liver support, then look no further than Horbäach's Choline & Inositol. This product combines the benefits of two key nutrients that are known to support healthy cellular integrity especially in the neurological system along with good liver function, and it does so in a convenient, easy-to-take capsule form.
Horbäach's Choline & Inositol is a great choice for those who struggle with poor liver health or aren't fully recovered after an injury or illness. The 1000 mg per serving is made up of 500 mg of Choline Bitartrate (205 mg of elemental Choline) and 500 mg of Inositol which helps your body use fat as fuel and also keeps your liver functioning at its peak.
You must take this supplement regularly if you're looking to maintain optimal neurological and liver function. Horbäach's Choline & Inositol can be taken anytime during the day to reap its full benefits. And you can be confident in the quality of their ingredients. Horbäach is a 40-year-old company that prides itself on sourcing from only the best suppliers worldwide. After all, their reputation is at stake every time they sell a product, and that's why they also rank high at 4.6 stars with over 2,070 customers on Amazon. The price is also pretty sweet, at eight to ten cents per capsule (2/day recommended).
Choline/Inositol 500 mg/500 mg By Solgar
With Solgar's 100% vegetarian Choline/Inositol, you can rest assured that you're getting all the important nutrients in one handy-dandy supplement. This product is designed to give your body everything it needs to function optimally at its most basic level, and this is a necessity if you want to live a healthy life. The bottom line is, Choline in combination with Inositol is ideal for maintaining optimum brain and nerve health - healthy cell function - fat metabolism for energy production and - overall liver health.
Solgar Choline/Inositol comes in an unflavored capsule form which makes it simple to swallow – especially if you're struggling with other supplements that taste terrible. The capsules are also vegetarian so they don't contain any animal by-products or fillers like some other products do.
Also, if you are not familiar with this company you can gain comfort in knowing they have been around for just over 75 years, making them the most senior company on our list! Their motto is, "At Solgar, there are no shortcuts to quality!" and they are "guided by Nature, informed by science"! All in all, an excellent company with the highest of quality and integrity.
The only hesitation you might have is due to the cost per capsule at fifteen cents with a serving size of 2/day. That does make this product the second highest priced product on our list of five but only by a small margin as compared to our highest priced product. Each bottle is a 60-day supply so it shouldn't break the bank to give it a try!
Choline By Vital Nutrients
Vital Nutrients Choline 550 mg, is the last of our five reviews but by no means do we consider it to be the least! Vital Nutrients is among the quality leaders in the nutraceutical industry. They are so consistent and diligent about maintaining their quality that they always exceed both FDA and industry standards at their FDA-inspected, state of the art US factory. In fact, they have been named as the official supplement manufacturer for the Cancer Treatment Centers of America's Hospital. In other words you can be completely confident in their product.
As we've mentioned throughout this review, Choline, an essential nutrient, is almost exclusively derived from our diet. As we stated in the introduction, foods with the highest levels of Choline are animals products like chicken liver, egg yolks, and salmon. That pretty much cuts out most sources of this important nutrient for vegetarians and vegans. It's also well known that pregnant women need more of this nutrient for the proper brain and neurological development of their growing babies. So, supplementation is the best answer for these important members of our population.
Vital Nutrients Choline 550 is the most expensive product on our list at twenty-seven cents per capsule with a typical serving size of 2 capsules per day. However, the stellar reputation of Vital Nutrients makes it a favorite of hospitals, healthcare professional, and customers throughout the world. And at 60 full servings per bottle, it just might be perfect for you too!
Best Choline Supplement FAQs
There are a lot of supplements out there, and it's tough to know which ones are right for you.
Even with our reviews, you still might have questions about Choline supplements, and how they can help you reach your health and fitness goals. So, we've included this section with the most Frequently Asked Questions regarding choline supplements so that you can make an informed decision when selecting the best product for your needs.
What Is The Best Type Of Choline Supplement?
When it comes to supplementing with choline, there are a few different types you can choose from. Alpha GPC is one of the most common and most effective forms of choline. It's believed that this type of choline crosses the blood-brain barrier more effectively than other forms, which may make it more helpful for memory and cognitive function.
Another form of choline is Citicoline, also known as CDP Choline. This form has been shown to help improve your brain health by supporting neuron communication and promoting better blood flow in the brain.
Which Form Of Choline Is Best Absorbed?
The body absorbs choline in two forms: as “free choline” and as phosphatidylcholine. It's only when this substance reaches the liver that it becomes methylcholine, which is vital for cell communication, memory formation, and many other functions.
Free choline is present in foods such as eggs, beef, soybeans, and cruciferous vegetables. This form of choline can be broken down into phosphatidylcholine in the small intestine through an enzyme called cholinase. Most people produce enough of this enzyme to break down all the free choline they consume.
Are Choline Supplements Worth It?
Choline supplements are most likely worth it for people who have a deficiency in this B vitamin-like nutrient. This can happen with vegetarians and vegans since choline is predominantly found in animal products. However, any person following a low-cholesterol diet may also need to take a supplement as well.
What Is The Best Way To Take Choline?
There are a few different ways to get choline into your body, though not all methods will give you the same results. The best way to get choline is through your diet but not all of us consume all we need from our food. In that case supplementation is the best alternative.
Mothers-to-be can also take choline in supplemental form throughout their pregnancy; however, it's important to note that too much supplemental choline may actually be harmful to the baby. Doctors usually recommend taking around 450 mg of supplemental choline per day during the third trimester (the first 12 weeks). However, they can advise mothers with high-risk pregnancies (including those who have pre-eclampsia) to take up to 1200 mg per day.
When Should You Not Take Choline?
Choline is found in many foods, so it's often not necessary to supplement with this nutrient. However, some people may be deficient in choline due to certain health conditions or a poor diet.
If you have liver or kidney disease, your doctor will probably recommend against taking supplemental choline since too much can build up in your organs and cause damage. In addition, people who suffer from hypertension should avoid taking supplemental choline as well as large doses of food sources of choline.
What Are The Symptoms Of Choline Deficiency?
The symptoms of choline deficiency can include headache, fatigue, irritability, and problems with memory and focus. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, choline deficiency may also affect your baby's development. Some research suggests that babies born to mothers with low levels of choline may be at higher risk for language delays and other cognitive deficits.
If you think you might be deficient in choline, talk to your doctor about getting an official diagnosis first. They'll likely recommend a blood test to see how much choline is in your system overall. You may also need additional tests to look at potential sources of the deficiency (such as fatty liver disease).
Is 1000 Mg Of Choline Too Much?
Choline is an essential nutrient found in many foods, but it's also an ingredient in some popular nootropic supplements.
Many health experts believe that most people aren't getting enough choline from their diets, so supplementing your intake may be a good idea. In fact, the Institute of Medicine recommends that adults get about 900 mg of choline per day by eating a variety of foods.
However, there are differences between the types of choline, so it's essential to choose a supplement based on your individual needs. Some doctors recommend higher doses for specific conditions such as liver disease or Alzheimer's disease (about 1000 mg per day). In general, it is best to consult with a medical professional before you start taking high doses of any type of choline supplement or medicine.
Can Choline Damage The Liver?
While it can't actually damage the liver, choline has been shown to have a protective effect against liver damage when administered after exposure to hepatotoxic agents. Further research is needed to establish its role as an antidote in humans; however, given that the liver is one of the organ systems responsible for producing and storing choline, it's not surprising that this nutrient affects the health of this vital organ.
Can I Take Choline Every Day?
Choline is an essential nutrient, and technically, you should get a fair amount of it in your diet from animal sources like eggs, milk, fish, and chicken. However, the recommended daily intake for choline varies based on age and gender (you can find these recommendations online), so some people may not get enough through food alone.
If you fall into this category or want to ensure you're getting the right amount of choline daily, then taking a supplement is a wise choice. The Food and Nutrition Board at the Institute of Medicine recommends no more than an average supply (as determined by your diet) plus 100 mg daily for both men and women.
What Can Deplete Choline?
Choline is a water-soluble B vitamin, which means that any excess choline you get from your diet will be eliminated in your urine. However, not everyone absorbs and converts choline equally well, so some people may be more likely to have a deficiency.
Some factors contributing to choline depletion include having a high-fat diet (especially animal fats), alcohol consumption, smoking cigarettes or marijuana, having type II diabetes or kidney disease, and taking certain medications (such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
Does Choline Help Brain Fog?
Choline is a precursor to acetylcholine, which is the neurotransmitter most closely associated with memory and attention. As such, choline can help alleviate brain fog symptoms by increasing your levels of this important substance.
The recommended daily intake of choline depends on your age and gender but tends to fall somewhere between 500 and 1,000 mg per day. You can get this nutrient through foods or supplements; there aren't any official guidelines suggesting that you should prioritize one over the other.
Choline is a water-soluble nutrient and thus does not accumulate in the body like fat-soluble nutrients such as omega 3 fatty acids. However, choline still plays an important role in cognitive health by supporting memory and other brain functions.
Conclusion
Choosing the right choline supplement can make a big difference in how you experience its effects. We've researched many different brands and read numerous reviews before selecting the five we have reviewed here. We really believe this will help you get the most out of your choice.
Remember to make sure and select one that is made from high-quality ingredients at an appropriate dosage so that it doesn't interfere with other supplements or medications. Additionally, be sure to speak with a healthcare provider about potential interactions with other medications or conditions such as liver disease or depression before taking any new supplements. By doing research ahead of time and thinking critically about your options, you can find a choline supplement that works for you without causing side effects.
Thanks for reading this review and we hope this information has been helpful!
Please check back often as we review many supplements here at Balanced Herbals.
*We are not qualified medical advisors. The content here is only based on our personal opinions and should NOT be used as a substitute for a healthcare professional's advice!
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