Choline Bitartrate Stats - Substance Search

Pharmacology

DrugBank

State Liquid

Description

A basic constituent of lecithin that is found in many plants and animal organs. It is important as a precursor of acetylcholine, as a methyl donor in various metabolic processes, and in lipid metabolism.

Mechanism of Action

Choline is a major part of the polar head group of phosphatidylcholine. Phosphatidylcholine's role in the maintenance of cell membrane integrity is vital to all of the basic biological processes: information flow, intracellular communication and bioenergetics. Inadequate choline intake would negatively affect all these processes. Choline is also a major part of another membrane phospholipid, sphingomyelin, also important for the maintenance of cell structure and function. It is noteworthy and not surprising that choline deficiency in cell culture causes apoptosis or programmed cell death. This appears to be due to abnormalities in cell membrane phosphatidylcholine content and an increase in ceramide, a precursor, as well as a metabolite, of sphingomyelin. Ceramide accumulation, which is caused by choline deficiency, appears to activate Caspase, a type of enzyme that mediates apoptosis. Betaine or trimethylglycine is derived from choline via an oxidation reaction. Betaine is one of the factors that maintains low levels of homocysteine by resynthesizing L-methionine from homocysteine. Elevated homocysteine levels are a significant risk factor for atherosclerosis, as well as other cardiovascular and neurological disorders. Acetylcholine is one of the major neurotransmitters and requires choline for its synthesis. Adequate acetylcholine levels in the brain are believed to be protective against certain types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.

Pharmacodynamics

This compound is needed for good nerve conduction throughout the CNS (central nervous system) as it is a precursor to acetylcholine (ACh). Choline is also needed for gallbladder regulation, liver function and lecithin (a key lipid) formation. Choline also aids in fat and cholesterol metabolism and prevents excessive fat build up in the liver. Choline has been used to mitigate the effects of Parkinsonism and tardive dyskinesia. Choline deficiencies may result in excessive build-up of fat in the liver, high blood pressure, gastric ulcers, kidney and liver dysfunction and stunted growth.

Toxicity

Oral rat LD₅₀: 3400 mg/kg

Indication

For nutritional supplementation, also for treating dietary shortage or imbalance

Receptor Profile

Receptor Actions

Other

Acetylcholine precursor

supports phospholipid synthesis for cell membrane structure

facilitates trimethylamine (betaine) production for osmoregulation and SAM-e synthesis

Tolerance & Pharmacokinetics

drugs.wiki

Tolerance Decay

Full tolerance 3d Half tolerance 8d Baseline ~14d

Experience Report Analysis

Erowid

16 Reports

2003–2017 Date Range

12 With Age Data

12 Effects Detected

Demographics

Gender Distribution

Age Distribution

Reports Over Time

Effect Analysis

Erowid

Effects aggregated from 16 experience reports (16 Erowid)

16 Reports

12 Effects Detected

7 Positive

1 Adverse

4 Neutral

Effect Sentiment Distribution

Confidence Distribution

Positive Effects 7

Focus Enhancement 56.2% 70%

Music Enhancement 50.0% 70%

Color Enhancement 43.8% 70%

Stimulation 37.5% 70%

Tactile Enhancement 25.0% 70%

Creativity Enhancement 18.8% 70%

Euphoria 18.8% 70%

Adverse Effects 1

Anxiety 31.2% 70%

Common Combinations

Most co-occurring substances in experience reports

Legal Status

Country	Status	Notes
Germany	Choline bitartrate is an approved dietary supplement.
United States	In the United States, choline is legal as a dietary supplement.	The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires choline to be in non-dairy infant formula.

Choline Bitartrate Stats & Data