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Boost Your Baby’s Brain With Choline!

That’s right mom’s! You have the ability to increase the size of your baby’s brain cells, and make them fire electrical ‘signals’ faster with the right amount of Choline in your diet. These ‘signals’ release memory-forming chemicals that will improve your baby’s learning and memory. Because of the rapid development of fetuses and infants, they have a great need for choline in their early lives.

Choline received the interest of nutrition researchers when it was found that fetal rats whose mothers didn’t get enough choline in their diets had less brain development and poorer memories after birth than those whose mothers had adequate amounts of the nutrient. Over the past few years, there has been a rush of research, and there are now hints that choline may be essential not only for the brain development of fetuses and infants, but may help prevent memory loss associated with aging.

What is Choline?

Choline is a member of the Vitamin B family.  Choline is essential for many basic functions including the normal function of all of the body’s cells, nerve and brain function, transportation of nutrients throughout the body and liver metabolism. Without Choline, acetylcholine cannot be produced and the body will not function properly.

Choline is an essential pregnancy vitamin for pregnant  and breastfeeding moms. It plays a vital role in brain and memory development in the fetus and infants, and has also been proven to reduce the risk of certain birth defects. Women with low levels of choline are 4 times more likely to have babies with neural tube defects like anencephaly and spina bifida. This is because choline deficiencies can also cause a deficiency of folic acid. Choline deficiencies have also been linked to an increased risk of  heart defects, cardiovascular disease, reduced cognitive function. Sadly, 90% or more  of women are not getting a sufficient amount of choline in their diet.

Choline is also beneficial for pregnant women. I’m sure you have heard about (or even experienced)  the 3rd trimester “brain shrinkage”.  Well, it isn’t a myth. Your brain brain cell volume of  starts to decrease during the third trimester of pregnancy. But don’t worry, it will return to normal a few months after delivery.  Choline is the only vitamin that will help improve your brain function.

While your brain is shrinking during the third trimester, your baby’s brain is rapidly developing. Because of the rapid development of fetuses and infants, they have a great need for choline in their early lives. Researchers strongly believe that choline is responsible for boosting the cognitive function of both you and your baby. Even after birth, your baby’s brain is growing, so make sure you continue to supplement choline.

Signs of Choline Deficiency

Choline deficiencies are becoming more common, especially since people have stopped eating eggs due to their high cholesterol amounts.Choline deficiency can also cause a deficiency  of folic acid, which leads to further problems like NTD’s (neural tube defects), like Spina Bifida and Anencephaly, and low birth weight babies. Here are the most common signs of a choline deficiency.

  • Fatigue
  • Insomnia
  • Memory problems
  • Nerve-muscle imbalances.

How Much Choline Do I Need?

The Adequate Intake level for choline is:

  • Women 19 & Older: 425 mg
  • Pregnant Women: 450 mg
  • Breastfeeding Women: 550 mg.
  • Men 14 & older: 550mg
  • 14-18: 400 mg/females
  • 9-13 years:375 mg
  • 4-8 years: 250 mg
  • 1-3 years: 150mg
  • Infants 0-12 months: 125-150 mg

The Best Sources of Choline

Make sure your prenatal vitamin has a sufficient amount of Choline to make up for any deficiencies in your diet.


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