cholinecontaining

Choline-containing describes chemical compounds that include a choline moiety as part of their structure. This category encompasses free choline and several derivatives such as acetylcholine, phosphatidylcholine (lecithin), glycerophosphocholine, lysophosphatidylcholine, and sphingomyelin.

Choline-containing compounds have diverse biological roles. Phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin are major components of cell membranes; acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter; glycerophosphocholine and lysophosphatidylcholine participate in lipid transport and signaling. Through oxidation, choline can form betaine, a methyl donor for the methionine cycle, linking choline metabolism to broader one-carbon metabolism.

Dietary sources include eggs, liver, meat, fish, and dairy; some plant foods such as soy products and cruciferous vegetables also provide choline-containing compounds, though in different forms. The body can synthesize some choline, but dietary intake is generally essential to meet physiological needs.

Recommended intakes for adults are expressed as Adequate Intake: 550 mg/day for men and 425 mg/day for women, with 450 mg/day during pregnancy and 550 mg/day during lactation. The tolerable upper intake level is 3,500 mg/day for adults. High intakes from supplements may cause side effects such as a fishy odor, along with gastrointestinal symptoms and hypotension.

Deficiency can contribute to liver dysfunction and, in pregnancy, neural tube defect risk. Choline status interacts with folate and methionine metabolism, underscoring its role in membrane synthesis, signaling, lipid transport, and methyl-group metabolism. As a descriptor, choline-containing is used for substances that supply or incorporate choline in living systems.