Choline

    Choline is an essential nutrient found in many foods such as meat and eggs. Choline can be produced endogenously, but dietary intake is necessary to prevent deficiency. Choline is a critical component of the cell membrane. It also helps ensure structural integrity and signaling functions within the cell. Choline is a precursor to the important neurotransmitter acetylcholine and the membrane phospholipids phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin.

    In the methylation cycle, choline is oxidized to form betaine, which can then be used as a methyl donor. Because choline and betaine are both involved in the remethylation of Hcy back to methionine, they form a backup pathway that is particularly favored in folate deficiency.

    Elevated choline levels are associated with key components of the metabolic syndrome (dysglycemia, dyslipidemia, and BMI). Betaine showed an opposite relationship. This may suggest a disruption of mitochondrial oxidation of choline to betaine as part of the mitochondrial dysfunction seen in the metabolic syndrome.

 Low Choline:

- Low intake

- Malabsorption/maldigestion

-PEMT SNP

 

High Choline:

- Dietary intake (e.g. meat, eggs)

- Upregulation of the betaine/choline backup pathway