CHOLINE IN EGGS- BENEFITS DURING PREGNANCY
Choline is a key component of a variety of biological pathways and plays a role in the regulation of gene expression. The timing of its availability is important to establish epigenetic outcomes.
Contributes to infant’s brain development
Getting enough choline during pregnancy and breastfeeding can help nourish the baby's brain development. Studies have shown that taking a daily supply of choline can improve an infant's cognitive function and extend the child's school-age years. A previous study found that higher maternal levels of choline consumption during the third trimester can improve infant information processing speed. These findings reinforced the link between maternal choline intake and cognitive development.
After a follow-up study, researchers analyzed the results of the first study and found that children who took 930 milligrams of choline during their mothers' pregnancy exhibited better performance than those who took 480 milligrams of choline. The study's findings support the long-term benefits of maternal choline supplementation. Although these findings support the benefits of maternal choline supplementation, the study authors noted that further research is needed to establish the optimal level of consumption during pregnancy.
Although most women do not meet the recommended daily intake of 350 milligrams of choline, many of them are still missing out on important nutrients that can help boost brain development and overall health. This includes 150 mg of choline, which is a vital nutrient for brain growth. One large egg provides about 250 mcg of lutein + zeaxanthin, which can help improve brain development. Although meeting the recommended daily intake through food and beverages is usually preferred, women should talk to their healthcare provider about the proper level of choline supplementation.
Boosts liver function
Getting enough choline from your diet is important because this nutrient is involved in various physiological processes, such as the synthesis of neurotransmitters and metabolism. Unfortunately, most people do not get enough choline from their diets. This nutrient can cause low choline status, which can affect the body's metabolic processes. Choline is also a vital nutrient that helps the brain and the liver function properly. It can also lower your risk of fatty liver disease. Eggs are the most abundant source of choline in the world. Choline is produced in the liver. Although most people don't have enough of it to meet their daily needs, it can be provided through the food that they consume. Eggs are the most popular source of choline. They provide more than double the amount of the nutrient than any other commonly eaten food. One large hard-boiled egg provides about 164 milligrams of choline. This egg provides about 30% of the daily requirement.
Contributes to Methylation
choline can influence the DNA and histone methylation processes. Pregnant and breastfeeding women must consume choline during their development. In humans, metabolically choline is used as a precursor of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Some epigenetic mechanisms modify the expression of genes without affecting the genetic code. The methyl-donors play a crucial role in the development of these epigenetic programs. Understanding these nutrients can help us identify the origins of chronic diseases.
Healthy heart
Getting enough choline can help keep blood pressure levels in check and prevent heart disease. It’s not known if too much of this nutrient is okay to take, but it’s usually recommended to get it from a balanced diet. Eggs are full of nutrients, including protein and fat. They also have a variety of minerals and vitamins. One of the less-known nutrients in eggs is choline. This substance is a vitamin-like substance that adults should consume around 425 to 500 milligrams a day.
Eggs are considered to be one of the highest sources of choline. They contain around 147 milligrams of this nutrient per large egg. It’s 25% of your daily choline requirement. Since choline is only found in the egg yolk, it won’t do much for you if you only eat white omelets. Instead, add it to the food that you consume. This nutrient can also help lower your risk of heart disease. It has been shown that meeting the daily recommended intake can help lower blood pressure and prevent it from happening. Low levels of choline can cause various health issues, such as liver damage and muscle loss. Some researchers believe this nutrient can also help lower blood pressure and improve overall health.
