Reviews and Information for Choline (many forms)
Choline Supplements
Most choline supplements don't actually tell you how much essential choline they provide. But our tests do and will help you help you find the best choline supplements from among those made with phosphatidylcholine (from lecithin), choline citrate and bitartrate, CDP-choline (citicoline), and alpha-GPC. Learn how much choline you need, if choline helps improve memory, choline-rich food sources, safety concerns with choline, and more.
Choline Supplements Review
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Product Review
PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone) Supplements Review
Learn What PQQ Does and Which PQQ Supplements are Best
CL Answer
Is there a danger in taking lecithin or phosphatidylcholine? I heard that they may increase the risk of heart attacks.
Lecithin, phosphatidylcholine and choline - Learn more about the potential link between them and cardiovascular disease.
Product Review
NAD Booster Supplements Review (NAD+/NADH, Nicotinamide Riboside, and NMN)
How Important Is Boosting NAD+ Levels? Find Out and Learn How Booster Supplements Compare.
CL Answer
Do "Mr. Happy Stack" supplements improve memory, cognition and mood, and are they safe?
Find out if Happy Stack supplements really work to enhance memory and cognition, plus safety and side effects. ConsumerLab.com's answer explains.
Product Review
Multivitamin and Multimineral Supplements Review
Best Multivitamins In 2023 -- Caution with Gummies
Product Review
Phosphatidylserine (PS) Supplements
Find out if phosphatidylserine helps with memory and which products are best.
Product Review
Glutathione Supplements Review
Learn How Glutathione Products Differ, Which Failed, and Our Top Picks
CL Answer
Does Qualia Mind boost memory and mental function and is it worth cost?
Learn about the ingredients in Qualia Mind, whether or not we think the formula works and is safe, and if we think it's worth the cost.
News Release
February 03, 2017
ConsumerLab.com Shows How Much Choline is Really in Supplements -- ConsumerLab.com Tests Phosphatidylcholine (From Soy Lecithin), Citicoline, Alpha-GPC and Other Choline-Containing Supplements, Identifying Top Picks
White Plains, New York, February 3, 2017 — Choline is an essential nutrient important for liver and brain function. It can be obtained from the diet and most people also produce significant amounts in their bodies.
CL Answer
Do either phosphatidylserine or phosphatidylcholine help with memory and cognition? How are these supplements different?
Find out if phosphatidylserine or phosphatidylcholine supplements improve memory and cognition.
CL Answer
Do any supplements, foods or lifestyle modifications help with brain function, like memory and cognition?
Find out which supplements help improve memory, brain function and cognition, including fish oil, some B vitamins, cocoa, and curcumin. ConsumerLab's answer explains the evidence for supplements promoted to help with brain function and cognition.
Clinical Update
7/26/2022
Phosphatidylcholine & Heart Risk?
Free choline can raise blood levels of TMAO, which has been linked with adverse health effects. But does phosphatidylcholine, a form of choline (and the main form in eggs), have similar effects on TMAO levels? Find out in our updated Answer to the question: Is there a danger in taking lecithin or phosphatidylcholine?
CL Answer
I am curious why some probiotics do not require refrigeration even though they contain some of the same bacteria in probiotics that require refrigeration? Which probiotics need to be refrigerated?
Refrigerating certain probiotic pills and other probiotic supplements is important. Get tips on how to store probiotics properly.
CL Answer
Does silica have health benefits? What is BioSil, and can it really increase collagen production and strengthen hair, skin, nails and bones?
Information about the health effects of silica (silicon dioxide) and orthosilicic acid (an ingredient in BioSil), including whether these forms of silicon can really increase collagen production, thicken hair, strengthen nails & bones.
Clinical Update
9/13/2024
Alpha-GPC and Stroke Risk?
Does alpha-GPC, a source of choline, increase stroke risk or blood levels of TMAO (which has been linked with adverse cardiovascular effects)? Find out in our article about choline and TMAO.
Clinical Update
11/07/2024
Supplements for Parkinson’s?
Find out if taking CDP-choline (a.k.a., citicoline) or PEA (palmitoylethanolamide) help people with Parkinson’s disease in our article: Do supplements help with Parkinson’s disease treatment or prevention?
Clinical Update
9/03/2024
Does Soy Lecithin Raise TMAO Levels?
Soy lecithin contains choline, and choline may raise blood levels of a certain compound (TMAO) that has been linked with adverse health effects. But does taking soy lecithin affect TMAO levels? Find out in our article: Is there a danger in taking lecithin or phosphatidylcholine?
Clinical Update
7/29/2022
Citicoline Bad for Arteries?
A CL member asked us if citicoline, a form of choline in supplements, can raise TMAO levels, which has associated with atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Find out in the Concerns and Cautions section of or Choline Supplements Review.
CL Answer
Do supplements help with Parkinson’s disease treatment or prevention?
Learn what has been shown with vitamins D and E, niacin, CoQ10, melatonin, creatine, SAMe, NAC, valerian, CoQ10, and CBD, as well as with coffee and the Mediterranean and MIND diets for treating and/or preventing Parkinson's disease.
CL Answer
Does Alpha Brain really improve memory, focus and cognition?
Find out if Alpha Brain really improves memory, focus and cognition. See the clinical evidence and get details about Alpha Brain ingredients, as well as potential side effects and drug interactions. ConsumerLab.com's answer explains.
Clinical Update
10/04/2022
Choline for Cognitive Function?
Did supplementing with egg powder, a source of choline, improve cognitive function in preadolescents? Find out what a recent study showed in the Memory and Cognition section of our Choline and Lecithin Supplements Review.
Also see our article about supplements and food for brain function.
CL Answer
Body Odor: Supplements & Foods That May Help, or Make It Worse
Some people with adequate personal hygiene still experience body odor. Learn if taking supplements such as activated charcoal, champignon extract, copper chlorophyllin, L-carnitine, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), or other ingredients might help or make body odor worse.
CL Answer
What is Lipo-flavonoid and does it work for tinnitus or other ear problems?
Lipo-flavonoid Plus info, including ingredients & reliability of claims to improve ear ringing (tinnitus), vertigo, ear aches, ear infection, and Meniere's disease.
Clinical Update
4/07/2023
Supplement for Colitis?
Does taking phosphatidylcholine help with ulcerative colitis? See what the research has shown in the Ulcerative colitis section of our Choline Supplements Review. Also see our Top Pick among phosphatidylcholine supplements.
Also see our answer to the question: Do any supplements help for ulcerative colitis?
Clinical Update
12/03/2019
Choline to Avoid?
A recent study found that a particular form of choline is not well absorbed. It may also have detrimental effects. For details, see the Concerns and Cautions section of the Choline Supplements Review. Also see our Top Pick among choline supplements.
CL Answer
Do any supplements help with fatty liver disease? Are some diets more beneficial than others?
Find out if supplements such as vitamin E, fish oil, milk thistle, curcumin, choline, probiotics, vitamin D, reishi mushroom, or extra virgin olive oil are beneficial for fatty liver disease and learn which diet (Mediterranean, ketogenic, DASH, or fasting diets) seems to have greatest benefit.
CL Answer
Can prenatal vitamins have too much folic acid? Mine has 800 mcg, but isn't that more than what's recommended? Is this dangerous to me or my baby?
Is it possible for prenatal vitamins to have too much folic acid? Find out the correct dosage so that it is not dangerous to babies.
Clinical Update
6/29/2017
Choline Missing From Prenatals
The American Medical Association recently voted to recommend that all prenatal vitamins include appropriate amounts of choline. Getting adequate choline may reduce the risk of birth defects in children, but most women don't get enough and prenatal vitamins typically provide little to none. Find out how to get adequate choline from supplements and/or foods in the Choline Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks. Also see the "Prenatal Vitamin" section of the Multivitamin Supplements Review.
Clinical Update
1/13/2018
Take Choline When Pregnant
It was recommended last year that women take a choline supplement when pregnant. Adding momentum to this recommendation is a recent study showing that giving pregnant women a larger amount of choline than normally considered adequate resulted in improved information processing speeds in their infants. Currently, choline is not found in most prenatal vitamins. For more information, see the During Pregnancy and Lactation section of the Choline Supplements Review. (Also see our Top Picks among products.)
Clinical Update
5/15/2021
Choline for Memory?
Can choline supplementation improve cognitive function in older men and women? See what a recent study found in the Memory and Cognition section of our Choline Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among choline supplements as well as Concerns and Cautions with choline supplements.
CL Answer
What are "broad-spectrum micronutrient" supplements, and do they have greater health benefits than multivitamin/multimineral supplements?
Learn about "broad-spectrum micronutrients" and how they compare to multivitamin/multimineral supplements.
CL Answer
Which supplements reduce the risk of stroke? Which increase the risk of stroke?
Find out which supplements (may help reduce the risk of stroke/might increase the risk of stroke.)
Clinical Update
11/09/2019
Choline Concern
A large study found that people with higher intakes of choline from their diets had a higher risk of death, specifically cardiovascular death, than people with lower choline intakes. Should you be concerned? See the Concerns and Cautions section of the Choline Supplements Review.
Clinical Update
4/25/2017
Choline May Increase Heart Risk
A recent study found that taking choline supplements increased the tendency for platelets to aggregate, a risk factor for heart disease, suggesting that choline supplements should be avoided. For details see the Concerns and Cautions section of the Choline Supplements Review >>
Clinical Update
5/08/2021
Eggs, Choline, & Heart Risk
The choline in eggs can raise levels of TMAO, a compound associated with higher risk of heart attack. A recent study compared the effects of eating eggs versus taking choline supplements on TMAO levels. Find out which increased TMAO levels the most. Also, see our Top Pick among choline supplements.
Clinical Update
12/31/2021
Prenatal Choline Improves Attention in Children
Mothers who took higher doses of choline during pregnancy were found to have children with improved attention, according to a recent study. See the details in the During Pregnancy and Lactation section of our Choline Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among choline supplements.
Clinical Update
5/29/2024
Eggs for Alzheimer’s
Weekly consumption of a modest number of eggs, which are a good source of choline, was associated with a dramatic reduction in risk of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a recent study. Choline supplements may also be helpful. Get the details in the Alzheimer's section of our Choline Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks among choline supplements.
Clinical Update
2/19/2019
Kidney Stones Due to Supplement?
An unusual type of kidney stone has been reported in several people who regularly consumed large amounts of a vitamin and amino acid supplement containing a particular form of choline and vitamin C. For details, see the Concerns and Cautions section of the Choline Supplements Review.
Clinical Update
6/06/2018
Getting Choline
Is it better to get choline naturally from foods or from supplements? A recent study addressed this question. Find out the answer in the ConsumerTips section of the Choline Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among products in this category.
Clinical Update
1/25/2022
Eggs and Heart Risk
Does eating one or two eggs daily increase the risk of heart attack? Find out what recent studies suggest in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Choline Supplements Review (eggs contain choline). Also see our Top Picks among choline supplements.
Clinical Update
5/10/2024
Eggs and Risk of Death
A recent study found that eating more than a certain number of eggs (a source of choline) daily carried an increased risk of death among people with a history of heart disease or stroke. Get the details in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Choline Supplements Review.
CL Answer
Does Prevagen really improve memory?
Learn more about Prevagen, including clinical studies on Prevagen's impact on memory & cognition, safety, pricing, and an FDA warning letter. ConsumerLab explores the efficacy of Prevagen.
CL Answer
Is soy in supplements good or bad for you?
Find out about the health benefits and/or safety concerns related to soy constituents (including soy isoflavones, soy protein, soy lecithin, and soybean oil), and learn how you can avoid soy in supplements if necessary.
Clinical Update
12/23/2020
Eggs and Heart Disease Risk
Do women who eat eggs every day have a higher risk of heart disease or death? See what a new study found in the ConsumerTips section of the Choline Supplements Review.
Recalls & Warnings
May 09, 2022
$149 Million in Refunds from AdvoCare Settlement
On May 5, 2022, the FTC announced it will be returning more than $149 million to individuals who sold AdvoCare supplements as distributors through the company’s multi-level-marketing (MLM) plan.
Recalls & Warnings
October 05, 2019
Advocare to Pay $150 Million to Settle Charges of Operating a Pyramid Scheme
AdvoCare International, the marketing company that sells Spark energy drink, as well as other nutrition products and supplements, has agreed to settle FTC charges that it operated an illegal pyramid scheme.
Recalls & Warnings
September 10, 2012
Maker of Concussion Recovery Supplement Warned For Making Drug Claims
On August 28, 2012, the FDA issued a warning letter to Trinity Sports Group, Inc. after a review of the company's websites found statements about Neuro Impact Concussion Response Formula constituted drug claims not permitted on supplements.
Recalls & Warnings
February 13, 2013
Manufacturer of Heart, Multivitamin, Cranberry, and Longevity Supplements Warned For Adulteration and Drug Claims
On January 29, 2013, the FDA issued a warning letter to M.D.R. Fitness Corp. following a facility inspection which found violations of good manufacturing practices which cause the company's products to be adulterated.
Recalls & Warnings
November 11, 2014
Maker of Children's Vitamins, Weight Loss Supplements and More Warned for Manufacturing Violations
On October 30, 2014, the FDA issued a warning letter to VitalHealth Tech, Inc., following a facility inspection which found the company's products, including Kids Mighty Vites tablets, Omni Jr.
