Brain Health and Lifelong Memory
September 2nd 2010 21:20
Signature Tune
Choline is an essential nutrient; it is important for the healthy structure and function of the human body, acting as a biochemical building block, an agent of cell-to-cell communication and transportation, and part of a regulatory system for gene expression. Its role in cell structure and function, phospholipid metabolism, cell signaling and epigenetic events underlie its contribution to the maintenance of cognitive, cardiovascular, and hepatic health.
Choline biochemistry underlies many important processes in human nutrition. However, its significance is underappreciated relative to the nutrients, vitamins and other biological cofactors to which it is complementary. Daily choline intake is necessary, as the body does not produce enough, even under ideal conditions. The viability of numerous organs and systems depend on its continued availability, starting with the earliest events in human growth and development. Brain structure and behaviour related to learning and memory appear to be profoundly and beneficially influenced by early, and frequent, dietary intervention with this uniquely important nutrient.
Choline is a required component of infant formula worldwide, with typical addition within the range of 7-50 mg/100 kcal (1.7-12 mg/100 kJ), as specified in standards of national authoritative bodies worldwide. Choline nutriture remains extremely important as a child is weaned. Many commercial solid food preparations and “follow-up” formulas, intended for older infants, now also contain Choline. Fortified foods and beverages may be useful vehicles to deliver it, as nutrient-dense natural sources may not be practical additions to an infant’s or toddler’s diet.
Choline’s demographic targets are as diverse as its therapeutic targets. It is an important component of the nutrition of prenatal and infant patients (via pregnant and lactating mothers), children, as well as athletic and geriatric segments of the population.
Choline plays an important role in many cellular events as a precursor of numerous metabolites that are important for their diverse structural and functional purposes. It is necessary for the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin, which are important primary structural components of the phospholipid membranes of neurons and other cells. It is also a precursor of key molecules that function in intracellular signaling, including diacylglycerol and ceramide, and acetylcholine, which is a primary agent of neurotransmission in cholinergic neurons. Adequate ditary choline availability is also valuable in that it spares the use of functionally complementary nutrients (e.g. folate, methionine) for the synthesis of protein and DNA.
Memor-C Choline is ideal for cost-effective food fortification because it is a highly bioavailable nutrient and is very stable to harsh food processing conditions. It is delivered in a water-soluble form, and is easily incorporated into a variety of products, including bakery goods, ready-to-drink and reconstituted beverages, cereals, confectionery-type products, nutritional bars, and food supplements.
Typical inclusion levels in finished products preclude any problems with the off-notes or undesirable flavors in a finished product, as typically incurred with many other nutrients do.
Enrichment and fortification of food products with choline will allow product developers to create unique products that will afford them a strategic position in key market segments and bring value to increasingly health-oriented customers.
comment by katyzzz.....food supplements are not recommended by me but the information provided in this is useful
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