Choline
Choline is an essential nutrient found in eggs, meat and fish. The body makes some of it and uses it for cell membranes and the messenger acetylcholine.
Also listed as Trimethylethanolamine, Choline Bitartrate
What it is studied for
The strongest rated effects first. Bars show the size of the effect, the letter grades the evidence, and each rating lists the studies behind it.
What does choline do?
Choline supplies building material for cell membranes and acetylcholine, a messenger used by nerves. The liver makes some, but not enough to meet all needs. Food therefore matters even though the body can produce it. 1
Too little choline can contribute to fatty liver and liver or muscle damage. This established nutritional role is different from asking whether extra choline treats an existing condition. 2
Key studies
The most recent publications linked to Choline's ratings.
Why people take it
SuppCo community snapshot, 2026-09-28. Reasons for use are not evidence that it works.
Questions people ask
Does pregnancy increase the reference intake?
Yes. EFSA gives 480 mg daily during pregnancy, compared with 400 mg for adults generally. 2
Is the higher pregnancy-trial dose a recommendation?
No. It describes one small controlled experiment with infant reaction time as an outcome. 3
Can choline supplements reverse fatty liver?
The cited population study cannot answer that: it examined dietary associations, not a supplement treatment. 4
Related nutrients
Phosphatidylcholine
CDP-Choline
PhosphatidylserineSources
- Choline: Health Professional Fact Sheet NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
