ABSTRACT
Choline, a quaternary amine and natural component of most plants and meats, is found in cell membranes, particularly nervous tissue, with brain tissue having the highest concentration. The term “lipotropic” was used in association with choline based on the finding that it prevented the accumulation of lipids in the liver. Choline is abundant in the human body, existing in all cell membranes as a constituent of phos-phatidylcholine, sphingomyelin and choline plasmalogens, with phosphatidylcholine and sphingo-myelin being the more common forms. Choline is absorbed throughout the small intestine by means of transporter proteins in the intestinal cells; after absorption it is delivered to the liver via the portal circulation. Dietary supplementation with vitamins, minerals, amino acids, cofactors and other such nutrients or food constituents is prevalent among the general population. Choline’s involvement in brain development and function has been the basis for many choline supplementation studies, particularly in the area of memory and cognition, under both usual and altered physiological conditions.
