Choline Bitartrate Stats & Data
QWJSAWXRUVVRLH-LREBCSMRSA-MPharmacology
DrugBankDescription
A basic constituent of lecithin that is found in many plants and animal organs. It is important as a precursor of acetylcholine, as a methyl donor in various metabolic processes, and in lipid metabolism.
Mechanism of Action
Choline is a major part of the polar head group of phosphatidylcholine. Phosphatidylcholine's role in the maintenance of cell membrane integrity is vital to all of the basic biological processes: information flow, intracellular communication and bioenergetics. Inadequate choline intake would negatively affect all these processes. Choline is also a major part of another membrane phospholipid, sphingomyelin, also important for the maintenance of cell structure and function. It is noteworthy and not surprising that choline deficiency in cell culture causes apoptosis or programmed cell death. This appears to be due to abnormalities in cell membrane phosphatidylcholine content and an increase in ceramide, a precursor, as well as a metabolite, of sphingomyelin. Ceramide accumulation, which is caused by choline deficiency, appears to activate Caspase, a type of enzyme that mediates apoptosis. Betaine or trimethylglycine is derived from choline via an oxidation reaction. Betaine is one of the factors that maintains low levels of homocysteine by resynthesizing L-methionine from homocysteine. Elevated homocysteine levels are a significant risk factor for atherosclerosis, as well as other cardiovascular and neurological disorders. Acetylcholine is one of the major neurotransmitters and requires choline for its synthesis. Adequate acetylcholine levels in the brain are believed to be protective against certain types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.
Pharmacodynamics
This compound is needed for good nerve conduction throughout the CNS (central nervous system) as it is a precursor to acetylcholine (ACh). Choline is also needed for gallbladder regulation, liver function and lecithin (a key lipid) formation. Choline also aids in fat and cholesterol metabolism and prevents excessive fat build up in the liver. Choline has been used to mitigate the effects of Parkinsonism and tardive dyskinesia. Choline deficiencies may result in excessive build-up of fat in the liver, high blood pressure, gastric ulcers, kidney and liver dysfunction and stunted growth.
Indication
For nutritional supplementation, also for treating dietary shortage or imbalance
Receptor Profile
Receptor Actions
Toxicity
DrugBankToxicity (DrugBank)
Oral rat LD50: 3400 mg/kg
Tolerance & Pharmacokinetics
drugs.wikiTolerance Decay
Experience Report Analysis
ErowidDemographics
Gender Distribution
Too few reports for a chart: gender is known from 16 reports, and a split is drawn only from 20 reports or more. Counts are shown instead. Why 20?
- Male 15 of 16
- Female 1 of 16
Age Distribution
Reports Over Time
Common Combinations
Most co-occurring substances, as a share of all 16 reports filed under Choline Bitartrate
Too few reports for bars: these combinations come from 16 reports, and a bar is drawn only from 20 reports or more. With fewer, a percentage cannot tell a common effect from a rare one. Counts are shown instead. Why 20?
- Piracetam 10 of 16
Legal Status
| Country | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Choline bitartrate is an approved dietary supplement. | |
| United States | In the United States, choline is legal as a dietary supplement. | The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires choline to be in non-dairy infant formula. |
References
Data Sources
Cited References
- Erowid: Choline Experience Vault
- Frontiers: Choline Supplements - An Update (2023)
- Glier et al. - Methyl nutrients, DNA methylation, and cardiovascular disease (2014)
- Linus Pauling Institute - Choline
- Naber et al. - Improved human visuomotor performance after choline supplementation (2015)
- Nootropics Expert: Choline Bitartrate
- Sitaram et al. - Interaction of choline and scopolamine in human memory (1978)
- Smolders et al. - Natural choline from egg yolk phospholipids is more efficiently absorbed (2019)
- Zeisel & Da Costa - Choline: An essential nutrient for public health (2009)
- Nootropics Depot: Choline Supplements Guide