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Prenatal Choline Deficiency Linked To Mental Illness, Stress, And Preterm Birth

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“Researchers say supplementation may be more realistic than trying to achieve enough choline through diet.” [Source: Nutraingredients-usa.com]

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An essential micronutrient and member of the B vitamin group, choline is found in a wide variety of foods. Animal foods such as chicken, salmon and eggs are particularly good sources. Non-animal sources include wheat germ, quinoa, and cauliflower. Although humans are also able to manufacture choline endogenously, there is evidence that current intake recommendations may be suboptimal. Average intakes for older children, men, women, and pregnant women have been shown to be far below the Adequate Intake (AI) established by the United States Institute of Medicine (IOM).

Because of its wide-ranging roles in human metabolism, choline deficiency is believed to have an impact on health problems such as liver disease, atherosclerosis, and possibly neurological disorders. A recent study found that choline supplements may help pregnant women reduce the effects of COVID-19 on their babies

Demand for choline is especially high during pregnancy and lactation. A micronutrient that plays important roles in brain and memory development in the fetus, choline appears to decrease the risk of developing neural tube defects. Research suggests that women with the lowest intakes of choline have four times the risk of giving birth to a child with a neural tube defect, compared to women with the highest intakes.

To learn more about the importance of micronutrients during pregnancy, read parts one and two of the special pregnancy feature article on our website.

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