Choline—At the Intersection of Brain Development and Heart Health

Dietary choline is a nutrient that varies in its essential nature depending on the age and metabolic status of the individual. An estimate of adequate intake of 425 mg/day (adult females) and 550 mg/day (adult males) was recommended by the Institute of Medicine approximately a decade ago based on prevention of liver dysfunction. Only 4% of adult females and 13% of adult males consume an adequate amount of choline (NHANES, 2005-2006). More-recent research underscores the critical function of chol…