Choline

Choline is crucial for preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum due to its essential roles in foetal development, cognitive function, and overall maternal health. 

As a vital component of cell membranes, choline contributes to neural tube formation and brain development during the early stages of pregnancy. Adequate choline intake has been associated with improved cognitive function in offspring.

During pregnancy, choline plays a crucial role in preventing neural tube defects and supporting proper brain and spinal cord development. Choline also influences placental function, contributing to nutrient transfer from mother to fetus. Insufficient choline levels during this period may impact cognitive function and increase the risk of neural tube defects. It is also involved in liver function and lipid metabolism, aiding in the prevention of fatty liver and supporting overall maternal well-being.

Postpartum, choline is important for maternal recovery.

References:

Caudill, M. A. (2010). Pre-and postnatal health: evidence of increased choline needs. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 110(8), 1198-1206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2010.05.009

Food Standards Australia New Zealand. (2017). Schedule 4 Nutrition health and related claims. Schedule 1 RDI and ESADDI. Australia Government. Federal Register of Legislation.

Gropper, S., Smith, J., & Groff, J. (2009). Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism (5th ed.). Wadsworth Cengage Learning.

Institute of Medicine (US) Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes. (1998). Introduction to Dietary Reference Intakes. In Dietary reference intakes for thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, pantothenic acid, biotin, and choline. National Academies Press (US).

Shaw, G. M., Carmichael, S. L., Yang, W., Selvin, S., Schaffer, D. M., & Periconceptional, M. B. S. (2004). Maternal dietary choline intake, choline blood levels, and neural tube defects. Journal of the American Medical Association, 291(22), 2545-2553.

Tureck, C., Matthew, A., Pantaleão, L., Perazzini, L., Rossi, P., Borowski, R., & de Figueiredo, B. (2014). The importance of choline as a nutrient in the brain. Nutrition Reviews, 72(11), 677-685.

Zeisel, S. H. (2009). Importance of choline for brain development. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 28(sup3), 406S-412S.