FUNCTIONS

For feed industry

Choline chloride is generally classified as a vitamin of B-complex. Its principle function is to contribute methyl groups to cellular processes. It is a more cost-effective methyl donor than methionine and betaine.

Numerous species of avian, mammal and fish have demonstrated a requirement for choline to produce maximum growth, increase reproductive efficiency, and prevent fatty liver.

The role of choline and other methyl donors will continue to receive attention since researchers found choline-deficient diets increase the incidence of numerous growth and health related problems in animals. Research in human nutrition continues to focus on the potential of choline to alleviate various disease conditions.

  •  Essential metabolic component for building and maintaining cell structure. Acts via phospholipid synthesis,     phosphatidyl choline or lecithin and sphingomyelin.
•  Source of labile methyl groups for formation of methionine from homocysteine and of creatine from guanidoacetic acid. Choline is usually referred to as the least costly methyl donor.
•  Plays essential role in fat metabolism in the liver. Helps prevent abnormal accumulation of fat by promoting its transport as lecithin or by increasing fatty acid utilization in the liver itself.
•  Essential in the formation of acetylcholine, the agent released at the termination of the parasympathetic nerves.

For human consumption

Choline has essential functions in the body.
Choline plays a vital role in a number of different ways:

•  As a constituent in building a maintenance of cell structures.
•  As a precursor for acetylCholine, the nerve transmitter. Reduction could result in memory disorder.
•  In fat metabolism of the liver, to transport fat from the liver. This will reduce the risk of a fatty liver.
- some diseases such as Alzheimer and Parkinson.
- infant food
- diabetics
- aging
- brain development and function

Although a natural ingredient in many foodstuffs, the concentration is usually too low for an optimal Choline level. A daily intake is required.

Deficiency of Choline.
Consuming a Choline deficient diet results in a fatty liver, liver-cell death and could initiate liver cancer. Especially important is a sufficient rate of Choline in the diets for:

Infants and children , because they have an increased need for growth and brain development. Recently there has been published an article about the need of Choline for pregnant women to improve brain development in fetus.

Diabetics , who have reduced transport of Choline leading to memory dysfunction.

Athletes ,having a reduced Choline level after training, therefore a reduced acetylCholine content and reduced performance.

Choline occurs in nature in the form of lecithin. Some producers use this lecithin in stead of Choline.