Choline The New Folic Acid Vital For Maternal Diet

Choline The New Folic Acid Vital For Maternal Diets Says Us Egg Expert

The nutrient Choline is being tagged as the new folic acid and is essential for fetal development, yet pregnant or lactating women are commonly deficient in it.

That’s the latest word from world-leading consultant on egg nutrition and former Executive Director of the Egg Nutrition Centre in Washington DC, Dr Donald McNamara, in New Zealand this week to talk to health professionals.

Among the topics he will be discussing is latest research on choline, an essential nutrient found in eggs which strengthens cell membranes and is a vital chemical component of the nerve messaging system.

Dr McNamara says there is increasing research suggesting that choline is particularly important in fetal brain development and the prevention of neural tube defects(1), and more women need to know more about the nutrient and its benefits.

“Everyone needs to get enough choline in their diets to stay healthy, however, it is especially critical during pregnancy and lactation, says Dr McNamara.

“Maternal diets that are deficient in choline have been associated with an increased risk for neural tube defects even when other nutrients such as folic acid and other B vitamins were in adequate supply(1). Choline also plays an essential role in the development of brain and memory function in the fetus (2).”

Dr McNamara explains that folic acid and choline work together in many of the biochemical reactions that involve proper fetal nervous system development (1).

“Choline’s role is especially important when folate intake is low. However, it has been shown that methionine (formed from homocysteine when choline functions as a methyl donor) and folic acid together might prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida,” explains Dr McNamara(1)(3).

Pregnant women are therefore advised to consume 450 mg per day. Choline is also necessary for milk production, so the recommended daily intake for breastfeeding women is 550 mg per day(4).

While some choline is made in the body, humans obtain most choline through dietary sources and just 2 eggs a day will provide more than half a pregnant woman’s adequate intake (AI) for choline.

“Eggs contain higher levels of Choline than any other non-meat product (251.0 mg in 2 eggs) and can only be topped by beef liver,” says Dr McNamara.

Eggs, beef liver, chicken liver and wheat germ are all considered excellent sources of choline (must contain at least 110 mg of choline per serving to be considered an excellent source).

Recent research has shown that there is a gap between adequate intake and the average intake of choline in the US. A dietary assess¬ment of choline intake conducted by Iowa State University showed that adults, including pregnant women, consume far less than the amount recommended as an adequate intake for choline (5).

“Only 10% of pregnant women in the US get an Adequate Intake of choline,” says Dr McNamara.

ENDS

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