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Alzheimer's Supplements
Acetyl-L-carnitine
Ginkgo
Huperzine A
Phosphatidylserine
Vinpocetine
Carnosine
Citrulline
Choline or Phosphatidylcholine
DHEA
Lemon Balm
N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)
Sage

Choline

Proposed Uses: Alzheimer's Disease; Stroke; Bipolar Disease; Cancer Prevention; Cirrhosis; Hepatitis; High Cholesterol

Choline has only recently been recognized as an essential nutrient.
Choline functions as a part of a major biochemical process in the body called methylation. Until recently, it was thought that the body could use other substances to substitute for choline, such as folate, vitamins B6 and B12, and the amino acid methionine. But recent evidence has finally shown that, for some people, adequate choline supplies cannot be maintained by other nutrients, and must be obtained independently through diet or supplements.

There is no evidence that consuming extra choline in adulthood will do anything for memory.

Requirements/Sources
Choline is widespread in the foods we eat. The average diet provides about 500 to 1,000 mg of choline per day. Lecithin, a fatty constituent in foods, is a major source of choline;

Therapeutic Dosages
Most studies of choline as a treatment for diseases have used between 1 and 30 g of choline or choline-containing supplements per day.

Therapeutic Uses
A form of choline called choline alfoscerate has shown promise for Alzheimer's disease.

A substance related to choline called CDP-choline (or citcholine) may be slightly helpful for enhancing recovery from strokes.

Slight evidence hints that lecithin or pure choline may be helpful for people with bipolar disorder.

Safety Issues
The tolerable upper intake (the highest daily intake over a prolonged time known to pose no risks to most members of a healthy population) of choline has been set at 3.5 g daily for adults.

In higher dosages, minor but annoying side effects may occur, such as abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and nausea. Maximum safe dosages for young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease have not been determined.

Feature Article

The Fountain of Youth?

What if I told you that it may be possible for you to live to age 100 or even longer, in better health than you are in right now? And, if you are already experiencing the ill effects of aging, what if I told you that it may be possible for you to look and feel 20 years younger and stay that way beyond the age of 100.

Aside from the fact that you'd probably call me crazy, I have to tell you that we have never been as close as we are today to actually being able to extend human life!

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