Essential methyl-donor nutrient
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About Choline
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About Choline
Overview and History
Biochemically, choline is a water-soluble quaternary ammonium compound classified as an essential nutrient and a methyl-group donor. It is a precursor for phosphatidylcholine (a major membrane phospholipid), acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter), and betaine, which participates in one-carbon metabolism.
Interest in choline in clinical research arose from its roles in liver lipid export, methylation reactions, and membrane integrity. Blood choline reflects dietary intake, endogenous synthesis, and tissue use, so it provides a window into multiple metabolic pathways relevant to cardiometabolic profiling.
Interpreting Highs and Lows
Low blood choline may reflect limited intake, increased demand, or altered biosynthesis and is associated with patterns such as impaired hepatic lipid export, reduced methylation capacity, and higher homocysteine levels. Interpreting low choline is most informative alongside liver tests, lipid subfractions, and one‑carbon metabolism markers.
Elevated choline can result from recent intake, changes in hepatic processing, or altered gut microbial handling that affects downstream metabolites. High values should be interpreted in context with lipids, liver enzymes, and metabolites (e.g., TMAO) to determine whether they fit a broader cardiometabolic pattern.
Featured Test
Cardio Zoomer includes choline to evaluate methylation capacity, liver lipid-handling, and substrate availability for membranes and neurotransmitters. Together with lipids, homocysteine, liver markers, and redox indicators, choline helps clinicians distinguish which metabolic pathways are contributing to an individual’s cardiometabolic profile, supporting personalized interpretation.
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Mary Beth Augustine
DCN, RDN, FAND- Lead Clinical Educator
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MS, RDN, LD, CTTS, CGP- Clinical Educator
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MSc- MHNE- Clinical Educator
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MS, RDN, LDN- Clinical Educator
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DCN, CNS, LDN- Clinical Educator
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ND- Clinical Educator
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ND- Clinical Educator
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DCN, CNS, LDN- Clinical Educator
Jessy Dhanjal
ND- Clinical Educator
Nour Amri
MS, LDN, CNS, CKNS- Clinical Educator
