Choline Reviews from Users for Brain Fog, Memory and Fatty Liver Disease

Choline reviews describe a number of benefits from taking this nutrient which is important for optimal brain and body function.

Even though choline might not have the name recognition of other dietary vitamins, the body of research which supports the use of this supplement is vast and growing.

Adequate choline levels in the diet are necessary to support memory performance, attention span, reasoning, creativity, mood, and even fat metabolism.

Reading choline reviews posted by users online can give you a sense of not only the positive effects, but the possible side effects, best dosages, and the proper forms of choline supplements to buy and use.

In this article, we will give you a general overview of how choline works and describe some of the user comments made regarding their experiences with this nutrient.

Choline

Cholinergic Supplement

Memory

Brain Health

Cognition

How It Works:

• Supports memory and synaptic plasticity
• Raises acetylcholine levels
• Promotes brain health and focus

Dosage:

Between 250 - 1,000 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

Top Choline Products* ❯

View User Ratings* ❯

Choline Review

Choline is a water-soluble nutrient that was discovered by Adolph Strecker in 1864. It was first chemically synthesized two years later.

Since this time, research into Choline has developed greatly. As a nutrient, it was not really appreciated until the early research on insulin function showed it to be a key nutrient in preventing fatty liver disease.

In 1975, scientists discovered that the administration of supplemental Choline led to the increased production and release of Acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter) by neurons. Choline is now identified as a necessary precursor in Acetylcholine synthesis.

Choline is a vitamin-like compound that is similar to the B-complex family of vitamins. In terms of its structure, it is a chemical ammonium salt that can take a variety of forms.

Phospholipid forms of choline (such as phosphatidylcholine) are also present in cell membranes and are important for maintaining the healthy functioning of membrane structures.

It has been theorized that insufficient choline in the brain may lead to degeneration of neuron membranes and may contribute to age-related cognitive decline, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

How Choline Supplements Work

Choline is found in a number of dietary foods, but user reviews of this nutrient tend to focus on choline supplements that are sold in stores and online today. Some studies have suggested that less than 10% of the population consume adequate levels of this brain nutrient on a regular basis in their diet alone.

New research shows that optimal levels of choline consumption may be much higher than what is recommended as adequate by the FDA.

When choline is consumed in supplement form or from foods, it is first processed by the liver where it binds to fats to be carried throughout the body and into the brain. A clear sign of a choline deficiency is fatty liver disease which occurs when there is not enough choline to transport fats and cholesterol from the liver to other systems in the body.

This supplement is capable of accessing the brain via the blood-brain barrier and can then be incorporated into cell membranes. It is also broken down to provide free choline which can increase the production of Acetylcholine – a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in memory and other cognitive processes.

Users who take choline supplements often report improvements in short-term and spatial memory as well as improved learning. Information may be easier to retain due to the positive effects that Acetylcholine is said to have on neuroplasticity.

The Acetylcholine neurotransmitter is believed to play a role in memory retention as well as recall. Many individuals take choline pills as a “study supplement” to improve academic performance and make it easier to recall facts.

Improvements have also been noted for increased focus and mental clarity, as well as mood and depression symptoms. Elderly individuals may be particularly likely to experience benefits from this supplement for both short-term mental performance and long-term brain health.

Clincal studies on the effects of supplemental Choline have been very positive so far, however the scope and scale has been limited, and more research is still needed. At this time, Choline is available as a dietary supplement only, and the FDA has not approved Choline as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions.

User Reviews of Choline Benefits

User reviews on the benefits of choline can be found in online forums and on websites like Amazon. Many of these reviews are very positive, describing benefits for both mental functions and overall health.

In one review posted on Amazon, a user shared that she had been diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in 2009. After 6 weeks of taking ½ tsp choline bitartrate powder with 1 tsp inositol, she experienced much improved liver counts and recent panels showed that her fatty liver disease was completely gone. The user reported that her counts continue to remain in the healthy range.

In another user review, the individual reported that taking choline makes them feel like their mind is functioning better, that they are more energized, and experience less brain fog during the day.

It is also common in user reviews to stack choline with other Nootropic supplements. One user shared that they experienced improved focus and memory with a stack of 750 mg choline bitartrate, 1.5 g Piracetam, 25 mg Noopept, 1.3 g L-Taurine and 1000 mg Acetyl L-Carnitine.

Other reviews mention that the supplement works very well in simple stacks with only Piracetam. For a more pronounced nootropic effect, it is recommended to use Alpha GPC or Citicoline which are two forms of Choline that are optimally designed for use in the brain.

It is less common to take choline for depression and other mood disorders such as OCD, but there are some positive reports from its use in these areas. In most cases, it is used alongside inositol for depression, anxiety and OCD.

While low doses are said to help support a stable mood, higher dosages may increase depressive thoughts according to some Choline reviews posted online.

In some instances, users who have taken Choline supplements report that they lose weight shortly after they start taking this supplement. This may be particularly noticeable in individuals who have been deficient in this nutrient and who may have been diagnosed with fatty liver disease. Weight loss has also been reported to be enhanced when stacking Choline Bitartrate with Acetyl L-Carnitine.

The above reviews are personal experiences of users taking Choline supplements. Everyone has a different physiology, and results may not be the same for everyone.

How Should Choline Be Used?

Users caution that the smell of bulk choline bitartrate powder is quite unpleasant and may resemble rotting fish. It is best to mix your powder with syrup or orange juice to mask the flavor. You can also purchase encapsulated choline to avoid the smell and unpleasant taste.

The recommended dietary intake for Choline is 550 mg for adult males and 425 mg for adult females.

Pregnant and nursing women should consume at least 550 mg per day as choline is very important for the development of a baby’s brain. Epideiological evidence has shown that women who have higher levels of Choline during the time of conception have a lower incidence of neural tube defects in their babies then women with lower intake levels.

Some research suggests that increasing consumption to 1000 mg per day can result in improved benefits for memory and brain health. It is usually recommended to take this supplement with meals to help improve absorption rates.

Choline is also thought to work better when the daily dose is divided into several smaller administrations, ensuring a consistent supply throughout the day.

Review of Choline Side Effects

Choline has been rated by the Natural Medicines database as Likely Safe when used orally and appropriately by both adults and children. There are not many side effects of Choline reported in user reviews. Some of the mild side effects can include headache, the development of a fishy odor, increased sweating and salivation, upset stomach, and a decreased appetite.

One common side effect reported in choline reviews is digestive discomfort and diarrhea. This is typical in Choline Bitartrate forms of the supplement, especially when taking this compound in high dosages for the first week of use.

The reason for this has to do with how this formulation of Choline is broken down by the microflora in the gut. To avoid this, it is recommended to use Alpha GPC or Citicoline which provide a higher amount of free choline per dosage and are not broken down in the intestines the same way.

Once you have tried this supplement, please share your Choline review below to tell our readers about your experiences.

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