Why Choline Matters & What We're Studying

Choline may not be a well-known nutrient, but it plays a vital role in our brain, body, and overall health. Despite this, only 12% of the US population reach an adequate intake of choline. We're conducting a study to explore a new source of choline and we want you to know why it matters.

What is Choline?

Choline is an essential nutrient used in a variety of important body functions involving our nervous system and brain health. While we can make a small amount of choline in our bodies, it is not enough to meet our needs. We must get it from the foods we eat. Unfortunately, it is estimated 88% of the population do not get their adequate intake of choline. [1]

What is Whey Protein Phospholipid Concentrate?

Whey Protein Phospholipid Concentrate, also known as WPPC, is a byproduct made during cheese production. Phospholipids from milk, rich sources of choline, are highly concentrated in WPPC. [2]

We aim to compare WPPC to an egg powder beverage - that is also rich in different forms of choline - to better understand how WPPC is absorbed in the body and its subsequent health impacts. [3]

How do we use choline in our bodies?

Nervous System & Cognitive Health

Choline is necessary for synthesis of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in the central and peripheral nervous systems, involving learning, memory, and attention. Acetylcholine also plays a large role in voluntary and involuntary muscle movements. It allows our cells to send each other chemical messages and adjust accordingly to regulate our body. [3]

A moderate choline intake is associated with lower risk of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and better cognitive performance. [4]

Metabolism

Choline is used to make phosphatidylcholine, a part of cell membrane phospholipids and lipoproteins. These lipoproteins ensure dietary fats are transported to their correct places.

When choline is oxidized, it contributes its methyl group to a molecule called S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). SAM is a universal methyl donor that is necessary for DNA, RNA, protein synthesis, and other biochemical pathways in our bodies. [5]

Liver Health

Choline deficiency causes abnormal lipid metabolism, which can lead to individuals developing fatty liver. Good news? It is able to be reversed by consuming a high choline diet! [6]

Heart Health

Choline is used to regulate levels of homocysteine, an amino acid associated with greater risks for inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Increasing choline can decrease homocysteine levels, and thereby may reduce risk of heart disease. [7]

Fetal Health

Choline is especially important during pregnancy. It helps decrease the risk of neural tube defects and supports fetal brain development. It is of the utmost importance that pregnant mothers are consuming choline-rich diets. [8]

Daily Recommended Intakes

The Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board has set the daily adequate intake values.

• Women (19+): 425 mg/day

• Men (19+): 550 mg/day

Food Sources of Choline

Table 1: Adapted from NIH Choline Content of Selected Foods [1,10]

Food	Milligrams  (mg) per  serving	Percent  DV*
Beef liver, pan fried, 3 oz	356	65
Egg, hard boiled, 1 large	147	27
Beef top round, separable lean only, braised, 3 oz	117	21
Soybeans, roasted, ½ cup	107	19
Chicken breast, roasted, 3 oz	72	13
Beef, ground, 93% lean meat, broiled, 3 oz	72	13
Fish, cod, Atlantic, cooked, dry heat, 3 oz	71	13
Potatoes, red, baked, flesh and skin, 1 large potato	57	10
Wheat germ, toasted, 1 oz	51	9
Beans, kidney, canned, ½ cup	45	8
Quinoa, cooked, 1 cup	43	8
Milk, 1% fat, 1 cup	43	8
Yogurt, vanilla, nonfat, 1 cup	38	7
Brussels sprouts, boiled, ½ cup	32	6
Broccoli, chopped, boiled, drained, ½ cup	31	6
Mushrooms, shiitake, cooked, ½ cup pieces	27	5
Cottage cheese, nonfat, 1 cup	26	5
Fish, tuna, white, canned in water, drained, 3 oz	25	5
Peanuts, dry roasted, ¼ cup	24	4
Cauliflower, 1” pieces, boiled, drained, ½ cup	24	4
Peas, green, boiled, ½ cup	24	4
Sunflower seeds, oil roasted, ¼ cup	19	3
Rice, brown, long grain, cooked, 1 cup	19	3
Bread, pita, whole wheat, 1 large (6½ inch diameter)	17	3
Cabbage, boiled, ½ cup	15	3
Tangerine (mandarin orange), sections, ½ cup	10	2
Beans, snap, raw, ½ cup	8	1
Kiwi fruit, raw, ½ cup sliced	7	1
Carrots, raw, chopped, ½ cup	6	1
Apples, raw, with skin, quartered or chopped, ½ cup	2	0

*DV = Daily Value. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration developed DVs to help consumers compare the nutrient contents of foods and dietary supplements within the context of a 2000 kcal diet.

Our Why: Why Choline? Why Post Menopausal Women? Why WPPC?

It is estimated that over 88% of the population consume less than the recommended adequate intake on a daily basis. Neurotransmitter synthesis, lipid metabolism, methylation reactions, cellular structure, and whole body health pathways are dependent on choline, so it is critical to find alternative ways to increase population's intake.

Post-menopausal women may be at an increased risk for choline deficiency. During menopause, estrogen levels drop significantly. Estrogen is a key regulator of a gene called PEMT that synthesizes choline in our body. As PEMT activity decreases from our aging process, this increases the importance of choline rich dietary sources. [9]

To better understand the metabolism of choline and functional ingredients that can help our population meet its daily needs is critical. Investigating if we can utilize WPPC as a functional ingredient would be sustainable for both population and environmental health. We plan to look at the bioavailability of choline, its impact on the gut microbiome and cognitive functions.

How can I help?

We are glad you asked!

If you’re interested in participating, check your eligibility here.

Eligibility Survey

Questions? Reach out to us at:

choline_study@mailplus.wisc.edu

References

[1] Office of Dietary Supplements—Choline. (n.d.). https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Choline-HealthProfessional/

[2] Ozturk, G., Liang, N., Bhattacharya, M., Robinson, R. C., Shankar, S., Huang, Y.-P., Paviani, B., Taha, A. Y., & Barile, D. (2022). Glycoproteomic and Lipidomic Characterization of Industrially Produced Whey Protein Phospholipid Concentrate with Emphasis on Antimicrobial Xanthine Oxidase, Oxylipins and Small Milk Fat Globules. Dairy, 3(2), 277-302. https://doi.org/10.3390/dairy3020022

[3] Zeisel, S. H., & da Costa, K.-A. (2009). Choline: An essential nutrient for public health. Nutrition Reviews, 67(11), 615–623. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-4887.2009.00246.x

[4] Niu, Y.-Y., Yan, H.-Y., Zhong, J.-F., Diao, Z.-Q., Li, J., Li, C.-P., Chen, L.-H., Huang, W.-Q., Xu, M., Xu, Z.-T., Liang, X.-F., Li, Z.-H., & Liu, D. (2025). Association of dietary choline intake with incidence of dementia, Alzheimer disease, and mild cognitive impairment: A large population-based prospective cohort study. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 121(1), 5–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.11.001

[5] Zhu, J., Wu, Y., Tang, Q., Leng, Y., & Cai, W. (2014). The effects of choline on hepatic ;ipid metabolism, mitochondrial function and antioxidative status in human hepatic C3A cells exposed to excessive energy substrates. Nutrients, 6(7), 2552–2571. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu6072552

[6] Fischer, L. M., daCosta, K. A., Kwock, L., Stewart, P. W., Lu, T.-S., Stabler, S. P., Allen, R. H., & Zeisel, S. H. (2007). Sex and menopausal status influence human dietary requirements for the nutrient choline. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 85(5), 1275–1285. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/85.5.1275

[7] Olthof, M. R., Brink, E. J., Katan, M. B., & Verhoef, P. (2005). Choline supplemented as phosphatidylcholine decreases fasting and postmethionine-loading plasma homocysteine concentrations in healthy men. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 82(1), 111–117. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn.82.1.111

[8] Zeisel, S. H. (2006). Choline: Critical role during fetal development and dietary requirements in adults. Annual Review of Nutrition, 26(Volume 26, 2006), 229–250. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.nutr.26.061505.111156

[9] Fischer, L. M., da Costa, K.-A., Kwock, L., Galanko, J., & Zeisel, S. H. (2010). Dietary choline requirements of women: Effects of estrogen and genetic variation123. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 92(5), 1113–1119.

[10] U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. (2019) FoodData Central.