Vitamin
Choline (as Choline Chloride)
Also known as: choline chloride, VitaCholine, choline, 2-hydroxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride
Choline is an essential nutrient required for acetylcholine synthesis, cell membrane integrity, and methyl-group donation via the phosphatidylcholine pathway. It is recognized as an essential nutrient by the National Academy of Medicine with established dietary requirements.
Last reviewed June 2026 · Evidence graded from peer-reviewed research, not editorial opinion. Educational only — not medical advice.
Every Choline (as Choline Chloride) product we have scored
| # | Product | Score | Per serving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nutricost CDP Choline Capsules | 95 A | $0.16 |
| 2 | Transparent Labs BULK Pre-Workout | 90 A | $1.67 |
| 3 | Thorne Advanced Nutrients | 88 A | $2.40 |
| 4 | Thorne Basic Prenatal | 88 A | $1.23 |
| 5 | Thorne Men's Multi 50+ | 88 A | $1.87 |
| 6 | Ritual Essential Prenatal | 88 A | $0.65 |
| 7 | NOW Foods Phosphatidyl Serine | 87 A | $0.37 |
| 8 | Thorne B-Complex #12 | 86 A- | $0.43 |
| 9 | Thorne B-Complex #6 | 86 A- | $0.43 |
| 10 | Thorne Basic B Complex | 86 A- | $0.45 |
| 11 | Thorne MediClear-SGS™ - Vanilla | 86 A- | $2.10 |
| 12 | Thorne Stress B-Complex | 85 A- | $0.43 |
Scored on dose accuracy, form, label transparency and third-party testing. Per-serving cost is list price divided by servings per container. No brand pays to be listed or ranked.
Common questions
How much Choline (as Choline Chloride) should I take?
The typical range is 400–2000 mg daily, commonly 500–1000 mg. Safe for long-term daily use; benefits develop over weeks to months
When should I take Choline (as Choline Chloride)?
Can be taken any time of day; no specific timing requirement. May be taken with or without food; absorption may be slightly enhanced with food.
Which form of Choline (as Choline Chloride) is best?
Choline chloride. Other forms in the catalog: Alpha-GPC, CDP-choline, Phosphatidylcholine, Choline bitartrate.
Is Choline (as Choline Chloride) safe?
Commonly reported: Fishy body odor (in high doses, related to TMAO production), Gastrointestinal upset (nausea, diarrhea), Headache (rare).
Which Choline (as Choline Chloride) supplement scores highest?
Nutricost CDP Choline Capsules, at 95/100. Scored on dose accuracy, form, label transparency and third-party testing — no brand pays to be listed or ranked.
Daily target & upper limit
550 mg / day · UL 3500 mgCholine (as Choline Chloride) has an established daily reference intake. See best forms, label synonyms, upper-limit warnings, and top-scoring supplements:
Choline (as Choline Chloride) dosage reference →Primary uses
- Cognitive function support
- Acetylcholine production
- Liver health
- Cell membrane structure
- Methyl donor function
How it works
- Precursor for acetylcholine neurotransmitter synthesis
- Component of phosphatidylcholine in cell membranes
- Methyl donor via betaine pathway
- Support for one-carbon metabolism
Dosage
- Typical range
- 400–2000 mg daily, commonly 500–1000 mg
- Timing
- Can be taken any time of day; no specific timing requirement
- With food
- May be taken with or without food; absorption may be slightly enhanced with food
- Duration
- Safe for long-term daily use; benefits develop over weeks to months
- Special populations
- Pregnant and nursing women have higher requirements (450–550 mg daily). Adequate intake for non-pregnant adults is 425 mg (women) / 550 mg (men)
Forms
- Choline chloride· 70/100
- Alpha-GPC· 70/100
- CDP-choline· 70/100
- Phosphatidylcholine· 70/100
- Choline bitartrate· 70/100
Safety
Common side effects
- Fishy body odor (in high doses, related to TMAO production)
- Gastrointestinal upset (nausea, diarrhea)
- Headache (rare)
Contraindications
- Individuals with trimethylaminuria (TMAU) should avoid high doses
- Caution in those with family history of cardiovascular disease (high TMAO levels may be concerning)
Products containing Choline (as Choline Chloride)
Top-scoring supplements in our catalog that list Choline (as Choline Chloride) on the label. Each product is graded on Formulate's ingredient-level rubric — dose accuracy, form, transparency, and third-party testing.
Evidence notes
Choline is an established essential nutrient with well-characterized roles in cognition and liver health. Good evidence supports benefits for memory and cognitive function in deficient populations. Most studies use doses of 400–2000 mg daily. Evidence for cognitive enhancement in replete individuals is more modest (grade B rather than A).
Grade B: Some human trials support key claims; further confirmation needed.
Cited research for Choline (as Choline Chloride)
Clinical studies referenced across Formulate guides that mention choline (as choline chloride). Each links to the full study page with PubMed source + the guides that cite it.
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Medical disclaimer. This page is educational and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare provider. Individual needs and risks vary — consult a professional before starting, stopping, or combining supplements, especially if you are pregnant or nursing, taking medication, or managing a health condition.