Choline

Choline — dosage, safety & deals FAQ

How much Choline do you need per day?

There is no RDA for choline; the Food and Nutrition Board set Adequate Intakes (AIs). Adult AIs are 550 mg/day for men and 425 mg/day for women, 450 mg/day in pregnancy and 550 mg/day during lactation. Children's AIs range from 125 mg/day (birth-6 months) to 375 mg/day (9-13 years). — per the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements; general information, not medical advice.

Can you take too much Choline?

Yes. The Tolerable Upper Intake Level is 1,000 mg for ages 1-8, 2,000 mg for 9-13, 3,000 mg for 14-18, and 3,500 mg for adults 19+. High intakes are associated with a fishy body odor, vomiting, excessive sweating and salivation, hypotension, and liver toxicity. — per the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements; general information, not medical advice.

What are the signs of Choline deficiency?

Choline deficiency can cause muscle damage, liver damage, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD or hepatosteatosis). However, frank choline deficiency in healthy men and nonpregnant women is very rare, possibly because of choline the body synthesizes endogenously. — per the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements; general information, not medical advice.

Who is most likely to need more Choline?

Groups most likely to have inadequate choline status include pregnant women (about 90%-95% consume less than the AI), people with certain genetic alterations (SNPs in genes for choline, folate, and methionine metabolism that raise dietary choline demands), and patients requiring long-term total parenteral nutrition. — per the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements; general information, not medical advice.

Does Choline interact with any medications?