Page 40 - Healthy (March - April 2020)

theCLINIC

WHAT’S THE EVIDENCE? Choline NEURAL TUBE DEFECTS (NTDs)
As choline was identiied as an essential nutrient top-up One US study investigated the relationship
fairly recently, research is in its early stages. between women’s choline intake around time
However, some studies have linked a deiciency to Take one to three of conception and NTDs (defects of the brain,
liver damage. Research also suggests endurance caplets daily, spine or spinal cord) in babies. The indings found
athletes (such as marathon runners), people preferably with a diet high in choline reduced the risk of NTDs.
who drink alcohol, postmenopausal women and meals. Holland & However, other studies have not observed the
pregnant women are at greater risk of deiciency, Barrett Choline same link, so more in-depth research needs to
while vegans may also need higher dietary levels. & Inositol (£7.99, be done before assuming cause and efect.
However, evidence into its health claims are mixed, 100 caplets,
so more research needs to be done. hollandandbarrett. WHO CAN TAKE IT?
com) Choline supplements are safe for most healthy
IMPROVED MEMORY adults, but always stick to the dosage stated on the
A US study investigated the link between choline pack. Children and teens need a smaller dose than
intake and brain function – 1391 adults completed adults, so consult your GP irst. The US daily upper
questionnaires outlining their dietary habits limit for adults stands at 3500mg per day. Exceeding
over two time periods, before undergoing safe limits can result in side efects such as diarrhoea,
brain-behaviour evaluations and MRI scans. The nausea or drops in blood pressure, but it’s unlikely
results found those with a higher dietary intake you’d reach these levels from diet alone.
displayed better verbal and visual memory. The
research could have promising applications for the
efectiveness of choline in preventing memory loss

MARATHON RUNNERS, PREGNANT WOMEN
AND PEOPLE WHO DRINK ALCOHOL ARE AT
GREATER RISK OF A CHOLINE DEFICIENCY

and Alzheimer’s. However, other similar research
has found no link, so further study is needed.

FATTY LIVER DISEASE
A large-scale study investigated the relationship
with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease – it involved
over 56,000 adults who were teetotal or consumed
negligible alcohol, and had no history of liver
disease, heart disease, or cancer. All underwent
a liver ultrasonography, and dietary habits were
assessed. The results found healthy normal weight
women with the highest choline intakes had a 28
per cent lower risk of fatty liver disease. However,
the study showed no association between dietary
choline and fatty liver disease in men.

BREAST CANCER
A population-based study of 1508 women looked
into the link between choline intake and breast
cancer risk. The results showed that those with the
highest dietary choline had a 24 per cent lower risk
of developing breast cancer than those with the
lowest. A number of studies have been carried out
to look into the connection between choline and Words Niamh Leonard-Bedwell. Photographs iStock
cancer. While there have been mixed indings,
there has also been a large meta-analysis, which
brings together all the studies, suggesting choline
may be protective against cancer. Therefore, more
robust research needs to be done to determine
whether there’s a link between choline and cancer.

40 healthy-magazine.co.uk