Felicia Malachy

Choline - The Nutrient of Concern Felicia Malachy

A water soluble vitamin-like substance called Choline is an essential nutrient that is produced endogenously in the liver and present in many foods. The Institute of Medicine recognized and classed it as an essential nutrient on account of its array of benefits to the human body. Choline is physiologically critical for a number of functions across the life cycle which includes wide-ranging roles in procreation, human metabolism, synthesis of neurotransmitter, cell structure and methylation. Choline is critical during fetal development, where it influences stem cell proliferation and apoptosis, thereby altering brain and spinal cord structure, function and also influences risk for neural tube defects and lifelong memory functions. It benefits health by playing rejuvenating roles to the cells of the body. The health of the individual cells in the body creates a healthy and wholesome individual as the life of the whole organism depends on the life of the individual cells. Research into choline seems to be fairly limited but various authors have put forward evidence of its role in prevention of congenital anomalies and to boost offspring cognitive function in newborn if adequately taken by pregnant mothers all through cyesis. Choline has also been proven beneficial in some neurodegenerative diseases, brain disorders, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Alzheimer's disease, to mention but a few. The body needs this important nutrient for basic bodily functions. Maintenance of the integrity of cell membranes, synaptic transmission between neurons in the nervous system. Choline has been shown to function in neurological disorders and also delay aging of cells in the body. It is thus pertinent to incorporate choline-rich foods into one's diet as the body's de novo quantities are usually not adequate for meeting the daily recommended amounts.