Choline is a nutrient that is very important for our health, but many people don’t think much about it. Our bodies make a small amount of choline in the liver, but we also need to get it from the foods we eat. Foods like eggs, broccoli, beans, meat, and poultry are good sources of choline.
Recently, researchers from Arizona State University, led by Ramon Velazquez, studied what happens when the body doesn’t get enough choline.
Their research showed that not having enough choline can cause serious problems for the heart, liver, and other parts of the body. Even more concerning, they found that a lack of choline might lead to changes in the brain that are linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that affects memory and thinking skills. In people with Alzheimer’s, two main problems happen in the brain: amyloid plaques and tau tangles. Amyloid plaques are clumps of protein that build up between brain cells, and tau tangles are twisted fibers inside the cells. These changes damage the brain and make it harder to think clearly.
In the study, the scientists looked at two groups of mice. One group was healthy but did not get enough choline in their diet. The other group had already been genetically modified to show signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
The results were worrying for both groups. The mice that didn’t get enough choline developed liver damage, enlarged hearts, and serious brain changes similar to those seen in Alzheimer’s disease.
The researchers also noticed other health problems caused by choline deficiency. Mice without enough choline gained extra weight, had changes in their blood sugar levels (which are linked to diabetes), and had trouble with their movements.
One big concern from the study is that many people today are not getting enough choline in their diets. Even though the Institute of Medicine set daily choline intake recommendations back in 1998, a lot of people still fall short of these levels. And based on the study’s findings, even the current recommended amount might not be enough to fully protect brain health.
This issue could be even more important for people who follow plant-based diets. Since most choline comes from animal foods like meat and eggs, it can be harder to get enough choline from plants alone.
However, plant foods like soybeans, Brussels sprouts, and some nuts are good options to help meet daily needs. There are also choline supplements available that can help people get enough of this important nutrient.
This new research shows just how important it is to make sure we are getting enough choline every day. A healthy intake of choline could be an easy way to lower the risk of serious health problems like liver disease, heart issues, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s disease.
The study, published in the journal Aging Cell, is a reminder that small changes in our diet can make a big difference for our long-term health. By paying more attention to nutrients like choline, we can take simple steps to protect both our bodies and our brains as we get older.
If you care about Alzheimer’s disease, please read studies about vitamin D deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s and dementia, and strawberries can be good defence against Alzheimer’s.
For more health information, please see recent studies about foods that reduce Alzheimer’s risk, and oral cannabis extract may help reduce Alzheimer’s symptoms.
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