Choline deficiency can cause fatigue, liver or kidney damage, and high blood pressure. It can be mistaken for other medical conditions. Treatment involves adding choline to the diet, and supplements are available. Severe cases can result in permanent organ damage, requiring dialysis or a transplant.
A choline deficiency occurs when there isn’t enough of a nutrient known as choline in the body. Choline is a type of amine salt that is normally grouped with the B-complex vitamins. Some of the potential symptoms of a choline deficiency include fatigue, liver or kidney damage, or high blood pressure. Treatment usually consists of adding more choline to the diet, although permanent organ damage can occur in severe cases. Any custom questions or concerns about a choline deficiency should be discussed with a doctor or other medical professional.
Some of the early symptoms of a choline deficiency can be mistaken for a variety of other medical conditions and can include fatigue, muscle or nerve problems, and insomnia. Blood or urine tests may indicate that your liver or kidneys are not working properly. The circulatory system can be compromised due to a buildup of fat in the blood.
Those who don’t eat meat or other animal products are especially vulnerable to developing a choline deficiency, as are people who only eat egg whites instead of whole eggs. Regularly consuming large amounts of alcohol can also increase your risks of developing this condition. Studies have indicated that a large percentage of the population fails to consume adequate amounts of choline.
Choline is an important component in regulating metabolism and maintaining brain health. This nutrient also helps reduce inflammation in the body and supports nervous system health. All of these bodily functions can suffer when a choline deficiency is present.
Treatment for a choline deficiency, especially in the early stages, is simply to add more choline to the diet. Some foods high in this nutrient include soybeans, egg yolks and peanut butter. Other food sources include tomatoes, potatoes and milk. In addition to adding these foods to your diet, dietary supplements containing choline are readily available at most pharmacies and can be especially helpful for those with severe symptoms.
Permanent liver or kidney damage can occur if a choline deficiency is not accurately diagnosed or left untreated for an extended period of time. Depending on the severity of the damage, kidney dialysis or a liver transplant may be required. These potentially fatal complications can often be avoided by eating a healthy diet and getting regular checkups by a doctor.
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