Choline is often the center of a great nootropic stack. Because without adequate levels of choline in your brain, the rest of your stack is unlikely to work very well.
Choline is neither a vitamin or mineral. It is a water-soluble “nutrient” related to the B-Vitamin group. Choline was recognized as an “essential” nutrient by the US Institute of Medicine in 1998.[i] “Essential” because your body cannot make enough choline on its own. You need to get it from food, or a supplement.
Choline is found naturally in eggs, liver, beef, salmon, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and breast milk. Eggs are often considered “brain food” because they supply high amounts of choline.
Choline is needed by your body for liver function, normal brain function and development, nerve function, muscle movement, cellular energy and metabolism.
Choline assists in methylation involved in genetic expression and the repair of DNA, nerve signaling, and detoxification.
Your brain has a huge appetite for choline. It is critical for the synthesis of the key neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Which your brain uses to maintain clear communication between its billions of neurons.
In fact, choline is so vital to cognition and nerve function that, without it, we couldn’t move, think, sleep or remember anything.
Choline and acetylcholine are needed for the basics of attention, focus, memory, mood, thinking, and sleep.
Not enough choline and you deal with poor recall, memory loss, fatigue, brain fog, inability to learn, feeling irritable or distracted, and difficulty walking or staying balanced.
Table of Contents
Stacking Racetams with Choline
If you use any of the racetam-family of nootropics in your stack, you likely should add a choline supplement. Because the racetams all affect choline and/or acetylcholine use in your brain in some way.
- Aniracetam – releases more acetylcholine (ACh)
- Coluracetam – increases choline – ACh conversion through the High Affinity Choline Uptake (HACU) process
- Noopept – modulates ACh transmission
- Oxiracetam – enhances choline-acetyltransferase (ChAT) which is used to synthesize acetylcholine
- Piracetam – potentiates the flow of, and increases the effect of ACh
- Phenylpiracetam – increases the density of ACh receptors
- Pramiracetam – increases choline – ACh conversion through the High Affinity Choline Uptake (HACU) process
- Nefiracetam – potentiates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
I’ll dive into more detail on how each of the racetams affect acetylcholine in your brain in the post on acetylcholine. For now, you should know that when a racetam affects ACh in some way, it usually means you need to make sure more ACh is available. Or the racetam will not be as effective.
The other primary issue facing neurohackers are racetam-headaches. These headaches are unique because they usually only happen in a part of your brain. You’ll get to recognize them for what they are with more experience.
Racetam-headaches are caused by using a racetam without enough supplemental choline. Your brain is telling you it’s starved for choline.
Who Needs Choline
Even if you’re not interested in nootropics or brain optimization, anyone over 45 years can benefit from a good choline supplement. You’ll experience more alertness, energy, faster recall and better memory.
We all need choline for clarity and mental energy. And we have several nootropic supplements to choose from to boost choline in the brain. And increase the synthesis of acetylcholine.
We’ll review the best nootropics for boosting choline in your brain next.
Best Forms of Choline Supplements
Alpha GPC
Alpha GPC (L-Alpha Glycerylphosphorylcholine) is a choline source derived from soy or sunflower lecithin. This highly bioavailable form of choline quickly enters your brain.
As a nootropic supplement, Alpha GPC is about 40% choline by weight.
Alpha GPC naturally occurs in your brain as a byproduct of phosphatidylcholine (PC). When your brain needs more choline, and choline floating around in your brain is running low, it breaks down PC from cell membranes. And turns it into Alpha GPC.
The combination of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA, Alpha GPC, and phosphatidylserine (PS) is used to form brain cell membranes.[ii]
And like other choline supplements, Alpha GPC provides the choline needed to synthesize acetylcholine.
But Alpha GPC is unique from other forms of choline. It helps increase human growth hormone.[iii] It restores and boosts nerve growth factor receptors in the brain.[iv] And stimulates the release of dopamine.[v]
One study in particular demonstrated why Alpha GPC is a favorite among neurohackers. 32 healthy volunteers received either Alpha GPC or a placebo. Ten days later they were injected with scopolamine to induce amnesia. The researchers found Alpha GPC was able to prevent the impairment of attention and memory normally caused by scopolamine.[vi]
The researchers showed that memory function in healthy young people could be boosted simply by taking Alpha GPC as a nootropic supplement.
Choline Bitartrate
Choline Bitartrate is choline combined with tartaric acid to increase bioavailability. One of the least expensive forms of choline, it’s about 40% choline by weight.
Like other choline supplements, Choline Bitartrate provides the choline needed for acetylcholine synthesis. But neurohackers have found this form is not nearly as effective as other forms of choline.
However, if Choline Bitartrate is the only choline supplement you have available, we do have the science to prove it works as a nootropic.
A research team in the Netherlands gave 28 volunteers 2 grams of Choline Bitartrate or a placebo. An hour and 10 minutes after taking the supplements, they had participants attempt to hit the center of a target.
The volunteers who used the choline supplement were not only more accurate at hitting the target center than the placebo group. The also did it faster.
The researchers concluded there was a “choline-induced bias” towards precision, speed and accuracy.[vii] Now logic tells us that you’d have this positive outcome with any choline supplement. So if all you have to take is Choline Bitartrate – you’ll be OK.
Choline Citrate
Choline Citrate is choline combined with citrate which is an ester of citric acid. Citrate is involved in the transport mechanism of acetyl units from its site of synthesis in mitochondria to the site of acetylcholine synthesis.[viii]
And citrate plays another important role in the brain. Citrate is an intermediate in the Krebs cycle (also known as the TCA cycle or Tricarboxylic Acid cycle, or Citric acid cycle).
Citrate synthase catalyzes the condensation of oxaloacetate with acetyl CoA to form citrate. Citrate then acts as the substrate for aconitase and is converted in aconitic acid. This cycle ends with the regeneration of oxaloacetate.
This series of chemical reactions is the source of 2/3’s of the energy we get from food. Most of the energy made available by these steps is transferred to form NADH. Which then drives adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis that fuels mitochondria and provides the energy needed for brain cells.[ix]
One of the less expensive versions of choline, Choline Citrate is about 50% choline by weight. And like other sources of choline, provides the raw material needed to synthesize acetylcholine.
Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter needed to signal muscle movement.[x] But Choline Citrate is unique because it helps prevent fatigue, muscle aches and pain following a workout.
I have personal experience with the benefits of Choline Citrate. For years, I saw a rheumatologist who injected cortisone into my shoulder muscles to relieve excruciating pain. Once I began supplementing with 3 – 4 grams of Choline Citrate per day, the severe muscle pain in my shoulders was gone.
So Choline Citrate provides the double benefit of improving concentration, energy levels, focus and memory. Along with less muscle pain and faster recovery after a workout.
CDP-Choline (Citicoline)
CDP-Choline (Cytidine Diphosphate Choline or cytidine 5′-diphosphocholine) is also known as Citicoline. This naturally occurring choline source is present in every cell in your body.
The CDP-Choline supplement is unique as a choline source. Once it’s digested it separates into cytidine and choline. When it gets to your brain it converts back to CDP-Choline.
Choline is needed for the synthesis of acetylcholine. And cytidine is a component of Ribonucleic acid (RNA). This molecule is involved in coding, decoding, regulation and the expression of genes. And once it gets into the brain, it converts to uridine.
When choline is in short supply, neuronal signaling resorts to grabbing choline molecules from phosphatidylcholine (PC) in cell membranes. This is where uridine steps in. Uridine is used to synthesize phosphatidylcholine (PC). Supplemental CDP-Choline provides the uridine needed for this synthesis. Which means that CDP-Choline helps repair those same cell membranes. To maintain neuron integrity.[xi]
CDP-Choline is only about 18% choline by weight. But it packs a punch when it comes to brain optimization. And is a favorite nootropic stack addition with many experienced neurohackers.
CDP-Choline vs Alpha GPC
When it comes to choosing between CDP-Choline or Alpha GPC for your nootropic stack. There really is no contest. These two choline supplements work well together.
The synthesis of acetylcholine (ACh) is largely dependent on the choline provided by phosphatidylcholine (PC).
Alpha GPC is a byproduct of phosphatidylcholine (PC). And supplemental CDP-Choline provides the uridine needed for PC synthesis.
So taken together, you provide your brain with the type of choline it needs right down at the cellular level.
Combining CDP-Choline together with Alpha GPC
is a winning combination for any nootropic stack.
Side Effects of Choline
Choline is considered safe and non-toxic. Small amounts are made in your body. And it is an “essential” nutrient.
But too much choline, like all nutrients and supplements, can become toxic if too much is taken. Or your body does not need supplemental choline.
My wife is a classic example. This stunningly beautiful, charming, intelligent women turns into the Wicked Witch From the West if she takes a choline supplement.
Like any nootropic used for brain optimization, neurotransmitter balance is key. Excess acetylcholine will depress levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin.
Serotonin and acetylcholine have an inverse relationship in your brain. In other words, as one goes up, the other goes down. So taking too much of a choline supplement can boost ACh too much. And force serotonin levels to drop.
Symptoms of too much choline or acetylcholine can include:
- Irritability or anger
- Anxiety and/or depression
- Fatigue or feeling overly sleepy
- Trouble concentrating, brain fog, lack of focus
- Mental confusion or fatigue
- Decreased motivation
- Negativity, pessimism, rumination
- Poor memory
- Problems understanding or performing tasks
- Feelings of helplessness or hopelessness
- Diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating, nausea, vomiting, dizziness
- Muscle weakness
- Tingling or numbness in the arms or legs
- Joint pain, discomfort or swelling[xii]
Nootropics Expert Recommendation
Every one of us needs choline to function. Choline is an essential nootropic supplement for anyone whose goal is brain optimization.
Choline is needed to synthesize acetylcholine (ACh). We need choline for cell-membrane signaling (phospholipids), lipid transport (lipoproteins), and methyl-group metabolism (homocysteine reduction).[xiii]
We need choline to provide the acetylcholine affected by any of the racetam-family of nootropics.
Your brain will start to literally consume itself to get the building blocks it needs to make acetylcholine. If you don’t provide it with enough choline.
My favorite choline supplements after years of trial and error are CDP-Choline (Citicoline) and Alpha GPC. If I’ve got muscle pain, I’ll take Choline Citrate for a few days. Until the pain goes away.
I use 500 mg of Cognizin™ (branded form of citicoline) per day in my nootropic stack. Cognizin is included in the double-dose of Mind Lab Pro I use every day.
Whenever I feel a racetam-headache coming on I’ll take 500 mg of Alpha GPC. And the headache is gone within 15 minutes.
Your Mileage May Vary. Each of us has a unique body and brain. So what works for me may not work as well for you. Listen to your body and give your brain the choline it needs.
[i] Zeisel S.H., da Costa K.A. “Choline: an essential nutrient for public health.” Nutrition Reviews. 2009 Nov;67(11):615-23. (source)
[ii] Kidd P.M. “Neurodegeneration from mitochondrial insufficiency: nutrients, stem cells, growth factors, and prospects for brain rebuilding using integrative management.” Alternative Medicine Revue. 2005 Dec;10(4):268-93. (source)
[iii] Ceda G.P., Ceresini G., Denti L., Magnani D., Marchini L, Valenti G., Hoffman A.R. “Effects of cytidine 5′-diphosphocholine administration on basal and growth hormone-releasing hormone-induced growth hormone secretion in elderly subjects.” Acta Endocrinologica (Copenhagen).1991;124(5):516-20. (source)
[iv] Vega J.A., Cavallotti C., del Valle M.E., Mancini M., Amenta F. “Nerve growth factor receptor immunoreactivity in the cerebellar cortex of aged rats: effect of choline alfoscerate treatment.” Mechanisms of Ageing and Development 1993 Jun;69(1-2):119-27. (source)
[v] Trabucchi M., Govoni S., Battaini F. “Changes in the interaction between CNS cholinergic and dopaminergic neurons induced by L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine, a cholinomimetic drug.” Farmaco Sci.1986 Apr;41(4):325-34. (source)
[vi] Canal N., Franceschi M., Alberoni M., Castiglioni C., De Moliner P., Longoni A. “Effect of L-alpha-glyceryl-phosphorylcholine on amnesia caused by scopolamine.” International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, Therapy, Toxicology. 1991 Mar;29(3):103-7. (source)
[vii] Naber M., Hommel B., Colzato L.S. “Improved human visuomotor performance and pupil constriction after choline supplementation in a placebo-controlled double-blind study.” Scientific Reports 2015 Aug 14;5:13188. (source)
[viii] Sterling G.H., O’Neill J.J. “Citrate as the precursor of acetyl moiety of acetylcholine” Journal of Neurochemistry 31(2):525-30 · September 1978 (source)
[ix] Ebenhöh O., Heinrich R. “Evolutionary optimization of metabolic pathways. Theoretical reconstruction of the stoichiometry of ATP and NADH producing systems.” Bulletin of Mathematical Biology. 2001 Jan;63(1):21-55. (source)
[x] Sanders L.M., Zeisel S.H. Choline – Dietary Requirements and Role in Brain Development Nutrition Today 2007; 42(4): 181–186. (source)
[xi] Wang L., Pooler A.M., Albrecht M.A., Wurtman R.J. “Dietary uridine-5′-monophosphate supplementation increases potassium-evoked dopamine release and promotes neurite outgrowth in aged rats.” Journal of Molecular Neuroscience 2005;27(1):137-45. (source)
[xii] Overstreet D.H., Janowsky D.S. “The Role of Acetylcholine Mechanisms in Affective Disorders” American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (source)
[xiii] Penry J, Manore M. ‘Choline: an important micronutirent for maximal endurance-exercise performance?’ International Journal of Sports Nutrition, Exercise and Metabolism. 2008;18:191–203. (source)
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Hi David,
Thank you for your article, it’s really the best one I’ve seen on this subject.
I’m like your wife, I get really angry if I take Choline in any form, same if I take Aniracetam or Piracetam. I’m fine with Oxiracetam, though.
I’m not so sure it’s because of “too much Choline” but rather that there’s some sort of imbalance to begin with, perhaps with the serotonin/dopamine, and taking Choline just disturbs it even more.
Do you have any suggestion on how to explore this farther? Is your wife able to balance Choline supplements while taking something else?
Thanks!
Roy, I’ve never looked deeply into why some react badly to choline supplements. But I suspect it has something to do with genetics.
I’m great at research but in this case I came up dry. My wife avoids any supplement that even remotely looks like choline because of her experience with it. So has never attempted to find a way to balance it by taking something else.
Hello,
50 and just started taking Aniracetam 750 mg 1 time a day. On day 5, skipped 1 day. Also took a cdp-choline first 3 days, then backed off as I started to get knee joint pain and read choline could cause gout flair or arthritis flare, though I have neither in my history. I also read some studies says choline can reduce inflamation. So confused.. My pain started on day 4 after after a long normal work day on my feet. Got sharp pain in left knee almost unable to walk and then increasing aches in left knee. I didn’t knowingly injur myself nor have had problems with them prior. No arthritis or gout either. Also some pain in wrists…tho much less intense. Is the joint pain due to the Aniractam and or choline and what supplement could alleviate this? I am finding positive results with aniractam greatly reducing long term depression and general brain fog just a few days in. I feel more myself on a low dosage than I have in a long long time except for the bad knee/joint aches and pain that is really setting me back. Your guidance is appreciated.
Amy, try switching to Alpha GPC as your choline source and see if the problem persists. I have never heard of choline causing gout but that is one easy way to test it. CDP-Choline may just be the wrong supplement for you.
Hi David can you please tell me if taking b_vits,citicholine, PS, ginkgo,grape seed extract,rhodilia rosea in the morning??
Lee, taking those supplements in the morning is fine. But the Citicoline and PS you take in the morning should be dose again at noon for all-day benefit.
Quick question.
What is the difference between Cognizin (ie Bestvite/ MLP/Healthy Origins) and CDO-choline Citicoline in others?
Is one better than the other? Or is it just a brand and are they of of equal quality?
I am learning a lot from your website and still hunting.
I am much in love since the beginning with your Head First…but digital??
i am not a computer literate and soon will be retiring in a 3rd world country.
Please David, have your book publish even in paper back where I could flip pages anytime anywhere for quick reference.
I have copied most of your articles r/t supplements I am currently taking not knowing they are nootropics as i related to you in previous email.
Thomas Levy’s recommendation on brain support.
On the other hand, I am wondering how i can print the 600 pages you were saying. maybe put them in sections a staple can accommodate.
Anyway, will be asking some computer expert how I can accomplish this.
Much love to you and great gratefulness for all u are doing lovingly to help us.
I am not done with my search but will soon reconnect with you once I finalize my first so called stack you neurohackers call.
After 30 days of MLP, David I can’t help my tears right now scribbling these lines what a big relief I felt lifting the most troubling challenges in my whole body I suffered for a long time. It was more of the physical aspect eradicating joint pains, GERD, low back stiffness, constipation and most of all I feel so light and airy, flexible and eat one real meal brunch @ 12noon and a light dinner more of a snack @ 6p a day which has been my practice and feel the fullness and feel body has fully absorbed. No bloating! Amazing!
I just got my Double Wood Sulbutiamine and started today. Very nice people gave me 20% off pack of 2 which was already discounted. I am starting slowly 200mg BID.
God’s blessings be yours for all charitable hours and expertise you share with His other children imprisoned with devil’s device: addiction to yummy unhealthy lifestyle being enslaved with Fast Foods, refined sugars, and drugs stimulants, nicotine and ETOH ruining our body, His Holy Temple.
Shalom! Happy Sabbath! Thanks again with great respect.
Marcie, that’s a long “quick question”. Cognizin is a patented form of CDP-Choline (also called Citicoline). If a company licenses a patented ingredient for use in their supplement it usually means higher quality. Because the supplement should be purer.
The way to distinguish between different brands that all contain Cognizin is to find out what the “other ingredients” are in that formula. Avoid supplements that have magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, silica, and all the other garbage they put in these supplements. And always choose a supplement that has only the stated ingredients on the label + a capsule. And nothing else.
I am working on the 2nd Edition of Head First. And it will be available worldwide as a hard cover, paperback or in digital form. But it is still months out. So if you can hold off on printing anything that would be great. And sorry for wait for the next Edition. Finding the time to finish it has been my biggest challenge.
Hi David,
You really are the best resource om the web. I recently started using Pramiracetam plus Brain Support by 1 Body (on amazon), and although everyone is different, for me it cured my depression right away that was untreatable with SSRIs (probably due to your explanation that serotonin reduces acetylcholine & vice versa).
I’d read another commenter who’d thought that her problem was low choline due to exercise. I’d always had exceptional muscle recovery but when I began Pramiracetam I got muscle soreness that didn’t really heal from a mild 30 min jog/walk (I tried to do it daily but skipped a day, then two, etc), and I’m pretty sure I’ve gained weight although I didn’t measure it. After the jog I’d take hydrolyzed protein which is why the soreness is even stranger. I read on your nootropics list that Creatine is a nootropic and it’s good to stack with racetams because of the increased mitochondrial activity in the brain drains creatine from the muscles. I began taking 3 grams even when I wasn’t exercising and the muscle pain disappeared that day. I can’t find this info anywhere else on the web!
Because I like to work out & build muscle, what do you recommend for Creatine & Choline supplementation when taking 1200mg of Pramiracetam? The Brain Support has 500mg of Alpha GPC; would adding Cognizin and the Citrate you mentioned put me in an over cholinated state? Should I double my creatine if I exercise?
I recently purchased more supplements to add to my treatment since I had to restock on the Brain Support. Please let me know if anything stands out to you as *not recommended*:
Source of Life Energy Smoothie
Pycnogenol
Maca
Ubiquinol
Dr. Mercolas Quercetin + Pterostilbene
Artichoke Extract
Forskolin
ALCAR
Thank you! It’s wonderful that you offer advice because I became concerned when I read that racetams are stimulants and it’s hard to understand exactly how they work.
Erin, using more Creatine when you exercise may help. But I’m not expert in that area.
Try adding Cognizin (CDP-Choline) as well because while it also increases acetylcholine it works in a different way. And get familiar with the symptoms of excess acetylcholine so you know when to back off.
The ONLY time I would suggest using Choline Bitartrate or Choline Citrate is to reduce muscle soreness. It cannot cross the blood-brain barrier so will not support your use of Pramiracetam. But it may alleviate muscle soreness.
P.S. I too have been recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism within the last 6 months and have been taking meds for that. It helps with my energy and fog but I think my Dr. and I are still working out the kinks on dosages.
Carrie B.
Carrie, this was my bible when I was first diagnosed hypothyroid: https://stopthethyroidmadness.com/. Please spend time on that site and learn how to read your own labs, support your adrenals, learn about iron levels, etc.
Hello David,
I am so thankful for your website. The info and help you provided to us all is immeasurable. With that being said, I have been experimenting with supplements due to an increase in brain fog and poor memory recall. I started out wholesome enough. More B12 and Fish oils, iron. Then moved on to Ginko Biloba as well. Now Im on to Choline Bitrate and Citicholine. Ive also gotten a subscription for Formula where they put stackers together for you. Including APCGs and Racetams ( quite a few if I remember, 3-4 different ones) as well as Citicholine and a couple others. So far I haven’t felt like any of those formulas worked for me they were to strong or I felt to sick, too dissociative, too jittery, too staticky. I just want something that comes on smooth and has no weird crash that leaves me feeling like I don’t remember the little things everybody knows and takes days to feel somewhat normal when my normal isnt even optimal. Im searching for something to help with memory recall and recall speeds. As well as attention and concentration for RN school. Lately, I just cant find the focus and drive to sit down and get through several chapters or really commit and understand the information. I also, wanted a little boost in the fatigue area, as school and full time job we’re leaving me energy depleted and I was needing more sleep than I have time for.
I usually take:
BrainStrong
Iron
B12
Probiotic
Ginko Biloba and sometimes Ginseng
Fish Oil
Acetyl L- Cartinine , which I feel was a mild/moderate improvement but still I went searching for stronger or more. My plan was to just throw as much brain boost and energy I could find at it. But Im starting to feel like I could just end up with too much stuff that isint working together ver efficiently, and that just sounds unpleasant.
After researching for over 6 months and seeing all the posts here I guess my mix is pretty basic. I do sometimes get a tummy ache or some other annoying side effect, but nothing thats a deal breaker. I had high hopes while trying the racetams but the neg. effects outweighed the pos. for my first go around.
I picked up some Cogzinin and added that to the line up but couldn’t find Acetyl L- Cart. this time around.
I realize I am a novice and it could take forever to get this right but my question is can I take The Cognizin (Citicholine) and Brainstrong (Choline Bitrate) together or is that too much or do you suggest something else altogether?
I guess my ultimate question is what am I doing wrong? I feel like Ive tried it all with little improvements and slight adverse results. Am I not a normal human with normal physiology? I guess Im wierd…LoL
Lost in the Sauce in Louisiana,
Carrie B.
Carrie, your plan “to just throw as much brain boost and energy I could find at it” is not a good idea. And how newbies get into trouble when first discovering nootropics.
You are doing plenty to increase acetylcholine in your brain while ignoring things like dopamine, serotonin, and brain cell health for neuroplasticity. And then there is providing mitochondria with what they need to make ATP which is your most fundamental source of energy.
I don’t normally reference this page which is a shame when I think about it. https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics/. Near the top of that page is a table with categories to boost. I suggest putting together a stack using Categories 1,2, 4, & 5 from that table based on what you said in your essay above. You’ll notice some supplements work in multiple categories. Which means fewer supplements and fewer capsules to make a well-rounded stack.
And I highly recommend that you closely read my entire review for each individual supplement you are considering. Because if you did that before you’d know that choline bitartrate cannot cross the blood-brain barrier very well and is useless as a nootropic when compared to things like Alpha GPC and CDP-Choline (Cognizin).
And forget about the racetams for now. Stay with the basics until get more experience. And have some success with getting closer to how you want to feel.
Hi David,
Your website is incredible and your research is so thorough. I want your opinion on my situation, if you’re willing: I get pretty bad brain fog that persists for weeks/months at a time. Experimenting with various nootropics, I’ve gotten the best results with ALCAR and CDP-Choline. I recently read that prolonged, intense exercise (a la endurance sport such as long distance running, cycling) can dramatically drop plasma choline levels. As it turns out, I’m a vegetarian cyclist who often goes too hard for a little too long when riding. So now I’m starting to put 2 and 2 together and suspect that my brain fog is caused by low choline levels, exasperated by endurance exercise and a vegetarian diet. I want to boost my choline levels specifically around my physically activity to see if that alleviates the issue, but as I’m reading up, it seems the free choline increases TMAO (a marker for cardiovascular disease). So, in your opinion, would it be safe to supplement with 2-4 grams of choline bitartrate or citrate (“free” choline) for this sports-specific purpose to alleviate the brain fog problems I’m getting with the physically activity I’m doing? For what it’s worth, I’m riding like 2 hrs 3 times per week with a decent amount of intensity, so I’m not trying to go from 20 hrs to 25 hrs of endurance exercise. I’m really just trying to ride a little bit more. I’m not even on the “moderate” end of volume as cycling goes and I keep hitting this wall, which I now believe is related to a choline deficiency. I can’t eat enough eggs or nuts to get the choline through food (both eggs and nuts bother my lower digestive tract at amounts to would significantly boost my dietary choline intake). A supplement would make things easier and more precise, but I’m trying to figure out which one is best for such high doses. phosphatidylcholine does not seem to affect TMAO levels, but the exercise research has been done with choline bitartrate and citrate, not phosphatidylcholine. Plus, I don’t know where’s a good source for high amounts of phosphatidylcholine supplement.
Shelley, it sounds like you are overthinking this. You got great results with ALCAR and CDP-Choline. Why not continue using those and forget about TMAO levels.
There are studies showing that TMAO from choline, phosphatidylcholine, L-carnitine, and lecithin supplements increase your chance of colorectal cancer and heart disease. It also contributes to pushing you into diabetes?
https://www.clevelandheartlab.com/blog/choline-tmao-heart-health/
Is it possible to get some of these same benefits without those supplements?
James, the main study they point to in that article used choline bitartrate. Which most experienced neurohackers do not use because Alpha GPC and CDP-Choline are far more effective choices. And no one that I know of has ever shown they increase TMAO.
Next, scroll down and take a look at who funded that study. They include P&G, Pfizer Inc., Roche Diagnostics, Siemens, and Esperion. Do you really think any of those companies are champions of dietary supplement use? They either manufacturer and/or sell pharmaceutical drugs.
I never, ever, ever believe a clinical study that was funded by Big Pharma. Talk about a conflict of interest.
I see. Thank you, I did find a study that says that Alpha GPC does not raise TMAO levels as much.