Research

Choline Bitartrate

17 peer-reviewed studies curated from PubMed and Semantic Scholar.

0
Meta-analyses
1
Systematic reviews
14
RCTs
2
Other studies
Systematic reviews (6%)
RCTs (82%)
Observational (6%)

Studies

Sorted by quality and recency

2023·Semergen·J Heras-Sola, J L Gallo-Vallejo

[Importance of choline during pregnancy and lactation: A systematic review].

Systematic reviewWomens Health Brain Health

Systematic review of studies from 2012 onwards on choline supplementation during pregnancy. The review analyzes the effects of choline supplementation in various forms on pregnancy outcomes and children's cognition, concluding that it appears effective in improving cognition in children.

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2025·The American journal of clinical nutrition·Jeffrey R Wozniak, Judith K Eckerle, Blake A Gimbel, et al

Choline enhances elicited imitation memory performance in preschool children with prenatal alcohol exposure: a cumulative report of 3 randomized controlled trials.

RCTn = 104Brain Health

This study combined data from 3 RCTs involving 104 preschool-aged children with FASD to evaluate choline supplementation as a neurodevelopmental intervention. Choline supplementation showed a beneficial effect on memory performance, particularly in younger children, but no impact on executive functioning or IQ.

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2021·The American journal of medicine·Jennifer Wilcox, Sarah M Skye, Brett Graham, et al

Dietary Choline Supplements, but Not Eggs, Raise Fasting TMAO Levels in Participants with Normal Renal Function: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

RCTn = 82

RCT with 82 healthy volunteers comparing the effects of choline bitartrate supplements, eggs, and phosphatidylcholine on plasma TMAO levels and platelet reactivity. Choline bitartrate supplements significantly increased TMAO levels and platelet reactivity, while eggs and phosphatidylcholine did not.

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2026·Nutrients·Julie A Dumas, Abigail Testo, Anna Senft Miller, et al

Oral Choline Reduced Working Memory-Related Brain Activation in Postmenopausal Women: A Pilot Study.

RCTn = 20Brain Health

Pilot RCT with 20 postmenopausal women comparing 1650 mg oral choline bitartrate to placebo. No differences in working memory performance were observed, but decreased brain activation was found for choline during a working memory task, suggesting choline may increase brain functional efficiency in low estrogenic conditions.

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2022·Nutrients·Minu S Thomas, Marissa DiBella, Christopher N Blesso, et al

Comparison between Egg Intake versus Choline Supplementation on Gut Microbiota and Plasma Carotenoids in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome.

RCTn = 23Gut Health -Inflammation -Nutrition

This randomized controlled crossover trial compared the effects of phosphatidylcholine from eggs versus choline bitartrate supplementation on gut microbiota, TMAO formation, and plasma carotenoids in 23 subjects with metabolic syndrome. Egg intake significantly increased plasma lutein and zeaxanthin compared to baseline and choline bitartrate supplementation, suggesting potential nutritional benefits. No significant differences were observed in TMAO levels or gut microbiota diversity between treatments.

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2021·European journal of nutrition·Katrin A Böckmann, Axel R Franz, Michaela Minarski, et al

Differential metabolism of choline supplements in adult volunteers.

RCTn = 6Nutrition

Prospective randomized cross-over study in six healthy adult men comparing four choline supplements: choline chloride, choline bitartrate, alpha-glycerophosphocholine, and egg-PC. All supplements increased choline and betaine levels similarly, with egg-PC showing the latest peak and not increasing TMAO levels.

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2020·Nutrients·Marissa DiBella, Minu S Thomas, Hana Alyousef, et al

Choline Intake as Supplement or as a Component of Eggs Increases Plasma Choline and Reduces Interleukin-6 without Modifying Plasma Cholesterol in Participants with Metabolic Syndrome.

RCTn = 23Inflammation Heart Health -

RCT with 23 subjects with metabolic syndrome comparing the effects of choline from whole eggs and choline bitartrate supplement on plasma lipids, glucose, insulin resistance, and inflammatory biomarkers. Both sources of choline reduced interleukin-6 without affecting plasma cholesterol levels. Eggs also lowered C-reactive protein, insulin, and insulin resistance compared to baseline.

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2019·Nutrients·Yvonne Mödinger, C. Schön, M. Wilhelm, et al

Plasma Kinetics of Choline and Choline Metabolites After A Single Dose of SuperbaBoostTM Krill Oil or Choline Bitartrate in Healthy Volunteers

RCT

This study compared the pharmacokinetics of free choline and selected choline metabolites in healthy volunteers after a single dose of SuperbaBoostTM krill oil and choline bitartrate. Results showed comparable free choline levels between both sources, but peak choline concentration was reached later with SuperbaBoostTM. Additionally, levels of metabolites betaine and dimethylglycine were higher, while trimethylamine N-oxide levels were lower with SuperbaBoostTM compared to choline bitartrate.

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2019·Nutrients·Lotte Smolders, Nicole J W de Wit, Michiel G J Balvers, et al

Natural Choline from Egg Yolk Phospholipids Is More Efficiently Absorbed Compared with Choline Bitartrate; Outcomes of A Randomized Trial in Healthy Adults.

RCTn = 18Nutrition

Randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial with 18 participants comparing choline absorption from egg yolk phospholipids versus choline bitartrate. Plasma choline response was four times higher after consumption of egg yolk phospholipid drink, indicating improved absorption.

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2018·Nutrients·Bruno S Lemos, Isabel Medina-Vera, Christopher N Blesso, et al

Intake of 3 Eggs per Day When Compared to a Choline Bitartrate Supplement, Downregulates Cholesterol Synthesis without Changing the LDL/HDL Ratio.

RCTn = 30Heart Health

RCT comparing the effects of consuming 3 eggs per day versus a choline bitartrate supplement in a young, healthy population over 13 weeks. Egg consumption increased total cholesterol, HDL-C, and LDL-C but maintained the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio. Choline bitartrate supplementation resulted in lower expression of cholesterol regulatory genes compared to egg intake.

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2015·Scientific reports·Marnix Naber, Bernhard Hommel, Lorenza S Colzato

Improved human visuomotor performance and pupil constriction after choline supplementation in a placebo-controlled double-blind study.

RCTn = 28Mental Clarity Physical Performance

Placebo-controlled double-blind study with 28 individuals testing choline bitartrate supplementation. Participants showed improved visuomotor performance and reduced pupil size, indicating enhanced action precision and altered cholinergic functions.

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2011·The British journal of nutrition·Julie M W Wallace, Jacqueline M McCormack, Helene McNulty, et al

Choline supplementation and measures of choline and betaine status: a randomised, controlled trial in postmenopausal women.

RCTn = 42

This randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial investigated the effect of choline supplementation on plasma concentrations of free choline, betaine, and tHcy in 42 healthy postmenopausal women. Choline supplementation significantly increased plasma choline and betaine concentrations after 6 and 12 weeks, with no effect on folate status or plasma lipids. The change in plasma tHcy concentration approached statistical significance.

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2006·Journal of inherited metabolic disease·R A Chalmers, M D Bain, H Michelakakis, et al

Diagnosis and management of trimethylaminuria (FMO3 deficiency) in children.

RCTn = 6

The study investigates the diagnosis and management of trimethylaminuria (FMO3 deficiency) in children, comparing choline loading with marine fish meals in six children. It evaluates the efficacy of these methods for diagnosing trimethylaminuria and examines the effects of antibiotics on gut bacterial production of trimethylamine.

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2003·Bipolar disorders·In Kyoon Lyoo, Christina M Demopulos, Fuyuki Hirashima, et al

Oral choline decreases brain purine levels in lithium-treated subjects with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder: a double-blind trial using proton and lithium magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

RCTn = 8

Double-blind trial of oral choline bitartrate supplementation in 8 lithium-treated patients with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. Over 12 weeks, the choline group showed a significant decrease in brain purine levels compared to placebo, suggesting a potential role in modifying high-energy phosphate metabolism.

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1995·Medicine and science in sports and exercise·S A Spector, M R Jackman, L A Sabounjian, et al

Effect of choline supplementation on fatigue in trained cyclists.

RCTn = 20Physical Performance -

A double-blind cross-over RCT with 20 male cyclists examined the effect of choline bitartrate supplementation on fatigue during supramaximal brief and submaximal prolonged activities. The study found no significant benefit of choline supplementation in delaying fatigue, as fatigue times and work performed were similar under both choline and placebo conditions.

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2023·Frontiers in Endocrinology·U. Kansakar, V. Trimarco, P. Mone, et al

Choline supplements: An update

ReviewMental Clarity Brain Health

This comprehensive review examines preclinical and clinical investigations on various forms of choline supplementation, including choline alfoscerate, choline bitartrate, lecithin, and citicoline. These cholinergic compounds are precursors of acetylcholine and are used as food supplements to boost memory and enhance cognitive function.

Semantic ScholarRead on Semantic Scholar
1996·Biological psychiatry·A L Stoll, G S Sachs, B M Cohen, et al

Choline in the treatment of rapid-cycling bipolar disorder: clinical and neurochemical findings in lithium-treated patients.

Observationaln = 6Mood

This study examined choline augmentation of lithium for rapid-cycling bipolar disorder in 6 outpatients. Five patients had a substantial reduction in manic symptoms, and 4 had a marked reduction in all mood symptoms during choline therapy. Choline was well tolerated and effective in 4 of 6 patients.

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