Choline is an essential nutrient produced in small amounts by the liver and found in foods like eggs, broccoli, beans, meat, and poultry. It plays a crucial role in human health, supporting various bodily functions.
Researchers at Arizona State University conducted a study to explore how a lack of dietary choline impacts the body and its potential connection to Alzheimer’s disease.
They found that not getting enough choline can significantly harm the heart, liver, and other organs. Furthermore, choline deficiency is linked to major changes in the brain that are associated with Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by two main features: amyloid plaques, which accumulate between neurons, and tau tangles, which form inside neurons.
The study showed that mice lacking dietary choline, including genetically modified mice that already exhibit Alzheimer’s symptoms, suffered from liver damage, heart enlargement, and neurological changes related to the disease.
In addition to these findings, the study revealed that choline deficiency in mice led to significant weight gain, changes in blood sugar levels (connected to conditions like diabetes), and impaired motor skills.
The researchers highlighted a twofold problem for humans: many people do not meet the adequate daily intake of choline set by the Institute of Medicine in 1998, and recent studies suggest that even these recommended amounts might not be enough for optimal brain function.
The research underscores the importance of maintaining proper choline levels for both physical and neurological health. This is particularly important for individuals on plant-based diets, which might lack sufficient natural sources of choline like eggs, meat, and poultry.
Plant-based sources of choline include soybeans, Brussels sprouts, and certain nuts, which can help boost choline intake.
Additionally, inexpensive over-the-counter choline supplements are recommended to support overall health and protect the brain from neurodegeneration.
For those interested in health, studies suggest that timing your vitamin intake can help prevent heart disease, and vitamin D supplements may significantly reduce cancer mortality.
Furthermore, plant nutrients could lower high blood pressure, and certain antioxidants might decrease the risk of dementia.
This study, conducted by Ramon Velazquez and his team, was published in Aging Cell.
If you care about Alzheimer’s, please read studies about Vitamin D deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, and Oral cannabis extract may help reduce Alzheimer’s symptoms.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about Vitamin B9 deficiency linked to higher dementia risk, and results showing flavonoid-rich foods could improve survival in Parkinson’s disease.
Copyright © 2024 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
