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<\/a><\/p>\n\u201cThis is important because choline is needed to make acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in cognitive functions such as mood, memory, and attention,\u201d she stresses.<\/p>\n
Choline\u2019s brain boost<\/p>\n
In the paper published in Nutrients<\/a>, researchers explain that endogenous choline availability depends on the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine via a pathway known as phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT). PEMT is influenced by estrogen.<\/p>\n However, the way that a low estrogenic condition like menopause influences choline\u2019s effect on the brain is not yet fully understood, note the authors.<\/p>\n The pilot, randomized, crossover study focused on VitaCholine\u2019s effects on working memory-related brain activation and functional connectivity.<\/p>\n The trial involved 20 healthy postmenopausal women aged 50\u201365 years who consumed either a single dose (1,650 mg) of VitaCholine or a placebo before completing a working memory exercise during an fMRI scan.<\/p>\n Compared to the placebo, choline intake demonstrated a rapid effect on the brain, significantly increasing functional connectivity within the working memory network to help optimize brain efficiency three hours after consumption.<\/p>\n Specifically, the researchers observed that choline bitartrate increased connectivity between the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the left inferior parietal lobule, which are key regions involved in executive function.<\/p>\n The study concluded that while there were no significant changes in task performance (accuracy and reaction time) in this single-dose trial, the brains of women taking VitaCholine used more efficient neural pathways to achieve those results.<\/p>\n Maturing body of evidence<\/p>\n This latest study adds to the existing body of evidence demonstrating the benefits of choline across different life stages. Balchem highlights previous research establishing choline\u2019s role in supporting fetal brain and cognitive development during pregnancy and lactation<\/a>, with \u201clong-lasting benefits that extend beyond birth.\u201d<\/p>\n Additional research has also demonstrated that choline intake may support people\u2019s cognitive health later in life<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cInvesting in women\u2019s health research is something we feel very strongly about at Balchem,\u201d says Eric Ciappio, P.hD., RD, senior manager, Nutrition Science at Balchem Human Nutrition and Health.<\/p>\n He emphasizes that, in the past, much of nutrition science was largely shaped by male-centric studies<\/a> with a general assumption that these findings were also applicable to women\u2019s health.<\/p>\n \u201cThis study is part of an essential shift toward a greater understanding of women\u2019s specific nutritional needs and how we as an industry can better support them at every stage of life,\u201d he underscores.<\/p>\n Ciappio adds that Blachem is already building on these findings with further research currently underway.<\/p>\n![\"Diagram](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/4caa4901-87c4-4c5c-ac17-b8846192aad0AdobeStock_440825182.jpeg\")
Estrogen is a key driver of choline production in the body, so when levels of the hormone drop during menopause, women are at increased risk of choline deficiency.Dumas says choline research has also historically relied on self-reported scores or assessments from participants. The new study uniquely utilized fMRI scans and working memory exercises to capture an objective view of how brain networks respond to choline intake after menopause.<\/p>\n