Dietary Choline Intake: Current State of Knowledge Across the Life Cycle

Area of Science:

• Human Nutrition and Dietetics
• Biochemistry
• Physiology

Background:

• Choline is a vital nutrient essential for synthesizing acetylcholine, betaine, and phospholipids.
• It plays critical roles in physiological functions across the entire human lifespan.
• Current dietary guidance focuses on total choline Adequate Intakes (AIs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on dietary recommendations for choline.
• To summarize assessment methods for dietary choline intake.
• To examine dietary choline intake patterns across the human life cycle.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing research on choline.
• Analysis of dietary recommendations and assessment techniques.
• Compilation of data on choline intake from various food sources.

Main Results:

• Dietary choline exists in various water-soluble and lipid-soluble forms.
• The forms of choline consumed differ significantly between infancy and adulthood.
• Human milk is a primary source of water-soluble choline in infancy, while adult diets feature more lipid-soluble forms.

Conclusions:

• Understanding the different forms of choline and their sources is crucial for assessing intake.
• Life-stage specific dietary choline intake patterns require further investigation.
• This review provides a comprehensive overview of choline's role and intake across the lifespan.