Choline helps the body utilize fat and is an essential component of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in brain function. Choline also enhances liver and gallbladder function, helps maintain the myelin sheaths (nerve fiber coverings), and is combined in the body with glycerol and phosphate to create lecithin, an important fat and cholesterol emulsifier.
Good food souces of choline include Brewer's yeast, wheat germ, oybean lecithin, egg yolks, peanuts, fish, and organ meats. There are no specific signs of choline deficiency, although lack of the nutrient can result in impaired fat metabolism, loss of cell membrane integrity, and damage to the myelin sheaths.
