New Meta-Analysis Underscores the Importance of Choline Supplementation During Pregnancy

Research on the impact of choline has increased significantly in recent years. Prompting a team of researchers to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of human studies spanning from 1997 to 2021, to examine the link between maternal choline, neural tube defects, fetal brain development, and neurocognition.

Key insights from a new meta-analysis and systematic review

Research on the impact of choline has increased significantly in recent years. Prompting a team of researchers to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of human studies spanning from 1997 to 2021, to examine the link between maternal choline, neural tube defects, fetal brain development, and neurocognition.

The research yielded noteworthy findings that underline the safety of choline and its favourable effects on two vital areas of infant development:

• Positive Effects of Choline Intake on Neurocognition: The systematic review evaluated interventional studies that examined the effects of higher choline intake on the neurocognitive function of children. The results demonstrated that maternal choline supplementation, ranging from 550 mg to 1 g per day during the second half of pregnancy and early postnatal period, improved various domains of child neurocognition. These included enhanced memory, attention, and visuospatial learning. Signalling that “it is likely that there is a cause-and-effect relation between choline levels and neurocognition. And It appears to be necessary to have choline intake levels exceeding the current recommended levels”.
• Low Choline Intake and Neural Tube Defects (NTDs): In parallel, the meta-analysis included case-control studies that investigated the association between maternal choline intake/blood levels and neural tube defects (NTDs) in newborns. Findings indicated that low choline levels during early pregnancy was linked to a 36% higher risk of NTDs. This suggests that insufficient choline intake could increase the likelihood of these birth defects.Findings concluded that “updated, robust recommendations from obstetric societies about the need to fulfil choline intake during pregnancy and lactation to support brain development are warranted” and the need to add choline to pre/post-natal supplements “should be urgently considered”.

An exciting opportunity for product development

This new research further bolsters to the mounting body of science emphasizing the importance of prioritizing choline intake, and presents a compelling opportunity for the food supplement industry to develop innovative products aligned with an emerging health trend.

Choline remains absent from most prenatal vitamins1, and those that do promote choline often do not meet the recommended levels. Next to this, an alarming majority—exceeding 86%—of expectant mothers fall short of the recommended choline intake. Thus to ensure pregnant women meet the necessary choline intake thresholds, it is advised that sufficient quantities of choline are added to prenatal supplements. By leveraging the proven cognitive benefits of choline, formulators can create specialized supplements tailored to the needs of pregnant women, empowering them to make informed choices for the well-being of their children.

And with more than 90% of adults not getting enough choline2, the opportunities are not only limited to pre/postnatal supplementation. This essential nutrient for energy, metabolism and cognition can be incorporated into a range of supplements to support every life stage.

How does choline support your formulation?

Expectant mothers are increasingly seeking science-backed nutritional solutions to support them during pregnancy. Choline meets this demand by delivering an ingredient clinically proven to enhance brain development and cognitive function in children. By incorporating choline into prenatal supplements, manufacturers can help pregnant women bridge the choline intake gap and provide access to adequate amounts of brain-building nutrients. Next to this, choline is produced to the highest quality standards and has a proven track record of superior quality that sets it apart.

References

1. Korsmo HW, Jiang X, Caudill MA. Choline: Exploring the Growing Science on Its Benefits for Moms and Babies. Nutrients. 2019 Aug 7;11(8):1823. doi: 10.3390/nu11081823. PMID: 31394787; PMCID: PMC6722688.

2. Jensen H. et al, The FASED journal, 2007

3. Wallace TC, Fulgoni VL. Usual Choline Intakes Are Associated with Egg and Protein Food Consumption in the United States. Nutrients. 2017 Aug 5;9(8):839. doi: 10.3390/nu9080839. PMID: 28783055; PMCID: PMC5579632.

4. EFSA J 2016; 14(8): 4484.

5. Caudill MA, Strupp BJ, Muscalu L, Nevins JEH, Canfield RL. Maternal choline supplementation during the third trimester of pregnancy improves infant information processing speed: a randomized, double-blind, controlled feeding study. FASEB J. 2018 Apr;32(4):2172-2180. doi: 10.1096/fj.201700692RR. Epub 2018 Jan 5. PMID: 29217669; PMCID: PMC6988845.