Choline

Cell membranes, acetylcholine, liver fat export and methyl-group metabolism.

Swiss reference value

Needs depend on age, sex and life stage; not listed separately in the Swiss tool.

Good food sources

Eggs, liver, meat, fish, soybeans, kidney beans and some cruciferous vegetables.

When intake or status is low

Rare; experimental deficiency or artificial nutrition can cause fatty liver and muscle damage.

Long-term health connections

Pregnancy increases its developmental importance; genetics affects individual needs.

Skin, hair and nails

No specific hair or nail signs.

Who is more at risk

Parenteral nutrition, very restricted diets, pregnancy and certain genetic variants.

How to assess it

Consider diet and clinical liver/muscle context; no usual single test.

Supplements: when to consider

Food first; discuss pregnancy individually with a professional.

Too much and safety

High doses can cause fishy body odour, sweating, low blood pressure and gastrointestinal symptoms.

International reference systems