Comparing Choline Sources: What is the best Choline Supplement?

There are several different Choline sources that you can use with your nootropic stack which might cause you to wonder what the best Choline supplement is.

Choline is a necessary component in the production of the Acetylcholine neurotransmitter in the brain.

This neurotransmitter is essential for proper mental function and neuron health. If you are deficient in choline, boosting your levels can contribute to improved memory, learning, thinking, focus, and energy.

Choline supplements are one of the most fundamental nootropics, offering cognitive benefits on their own but also potentiating the effects of many other brain boosters. In this article, we will look at some of the most popular sources of Choline and help you determine which one is best for your needs.

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* ❯

How Does Choline Work?

When looking at Choline sources for a nootropic stack the most important factor is Acetylcholine conversion.

For example, if you are using a Piracetam Choline Stack, what matters the most is whether the choline you are consuming actually ends up turning into the Acetylcholine neurotransmitter which enhances brain power.

In this regard, not all choline sources are equivalent. Some sources of Choline are better converted into Acetylcholine and these are the ones you should use when researching nootropics.

As we dive deeper into the subject, you will find that some of the “Choline Supplements” typically mentioned are not actually sources of choline themselves but rather direct intermediates of Acetylcholine.

Keep this in mind when considered the different choline options to ensure you are buying one that gives you the most Acetylcholine in the end.

Choline is available as a health supplement only, and has not been approved by the FDA as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions.

Choline Foods

Many foods in the typical Western diet contain choline, however often not in sufficient amounts to meet our daily needs. An estimated 90% of the American population is choline deficient which can lead to impaired cognitive ability, fatigue, loss of memory, and headaches.

You can improve your Acetylcholine levels by eating more choline source foods with higher concentrations of this essential nutrient. For example, eggs, meat and dairy products are all excellent sources of Phosphatidylcholine – a lipid which incorporates choline.

If you are a vegetarian or are not getting enough of these nutrients in your diet for other reasons then consider adding more vegetarian and vegan choline sources into your daily diet, such as soy products with Soy Lecithin.

Part of the reason why the majority of people do not get enough natural choline sources is because Phosphatidylcholine and Lecithin are two of the least efficient sources of choline available.

For example, you would need to eat 8 egg yolks every day to get the recommended amount – a practice which could then cause your cholesterol levels to rise dangerously high.

Soy Lecithin in particular is the least concentrated choline supplement, made up of between 2.5% to 9.5% pure choline. Phosphatidylcholine is slightly better offering 13% choline by volume.

However, the overall ineffectiveness of Choline foods has caused most nootropic users to upgrade to taking Choline supplements to make sure they get enough of this important acetylcholine precursor.

Choline Bitartrate

Choline Bitartrate salt is a choline supplement that is known to be very affordable and frequently stacked with Piracetam, Aniracetam, and Noopept. It is a much better source of choline than Phosphatidylcholine and Lecithin.

However, it is still not the strongest option for your nootropic stack because it does a poor job of crossing the blood-brain barrier. In order for any supplement to be effective in improving cognition, it has to cross this physiological barrier and be metabolized in the brain.

Choline Bitartrate supplements are known for being poor in this regard which is why you will not see this compound being used as a nootropic on its own. In a pinch, you can use it with your Racetam stack but there are better options available if you want stronger results.

Acetylcholine Supplement

The best option is in fact to use an Acetycholine supplement rather than an actual source of choline. These Acetylcholine intermediates actually convert into the Acetylcholine neurotransmitter and do not contain choline at all.

However, since the main reason for supplementing choline is to increase Acetylcholine levels, this is a better way to get the results that you want.

There are three popular Acetycholine supplements that you can use as nootropics: Alpha GPC, Citicoline and Centrophenoxine. All three of these compounds are commonly stacked with the Racetams, but you can also use them as nootropics on their own.

That is what makes them so much more powerful than choline supplements like Choline Bitartrate.

Centrophenoxine: Centrophenoxine is known for improving memory, mood and rational thinking on its own. It is a synthetic compound derived from DMAE that results in higher levels of Acetylcholine in the brain due to phospholipid transformation.

Alpha GPC: A synthetic highly concentrated version of soy lecithin that is an Acetylcholine precursor. What this means is that when Alpha GPC is metabolized in the body, Acetylcholine is naturally produced as one of the Alpha GPC by-products.

Citicoline (CDP Choline): Considered to be one of the most effective choline sources, this supplement actually converts into Choline in the intestines and then back into Citicoline in the brain. It is an intermediate of phosphatidylcholine and makes it easier for your body to synthesize Acetylcholine by ensuring that all of your body’s Choline demands are fulfilled.

The Best Choline Sources?

Given all of these options, which is the best choline supplement that you should use if you want higher Acetylcholine levels?

The answer comes down to a three-way tie between Citicoline, Alpha GPC, and Centrophenoxine.

It really is a matter of personal preference which one you use so long as you take the recommended dosage to ensure you are getting the right amount. Our team of writers tends to favor Alpha GPC, but you may have a different opinion after experimenting with all three.

From a standpoint of consumer popularity, Citicoline comes first followed by Alpha GPC in second and Centrophenoxine in third place.

For best results, many people use a choline source with an Acetylcholine receptor stimulant like Piracetam, Pramiracetam or Noopept in a nootropic stack. This will ensure neurotransmitter levels are optimized for peak brain performance at work or at school.

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