Vitamin B18 (Choline), Functions, Food Source, Benefits

Last updated: February 7, 2026Reviewed date: February 7, 2026Reading time: 3 min read

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Article Summary

Vitamin B18 (Choline) is a water-soluble nutrient and a new member of the vitamin B family. Since all the numbers of the vitamin B family have been already taken, we, at the Canadian Academy of Sports Nutrition, have named choline as the “vitamin B18” for the first time. Being referred to as a “lipotropic agent”, choline is considered a “conditionally essential” nutrient in that de novo...

Key Takeaways

This article explains Functions of Choline Vitamin B18 (Choline) in simple medical language.
This article explains Food Sources and Absorption Vitamin B18 (Choline) in simple medical language.
This article explains Non-Athletic Benefits of Choline in simple medical language.
This article explains Choline Deficiency in simple medical language.

Educational health guideWritten for patient understanding and clinical awareness.

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Emergency safety firstUrgent warning signs are highlighted below.

Seek urgent medical care if you notice

These warning signs are general safety guidance. Local emergency numbers and clinical judgment should always come first.

Severe symptoms, breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion, or rapidly worsening illness.
New weakness, severe pain, high fever, or symptoms after a serious injury.
Any symptom that feels urgent, unusual, or unsafe for the patient.

Emergency now

Use emergency care for severe, sudden, rapidly worsening, or life-threatening symptoms.

See a doctor

Book a professional medical evaluation if symptoms persist, worsen, recur often, affect daily activities, or occur in a high-risk patient.

Learn safely

Use this article to understand possible causes, tests, treatment options, prevention, and questions to ask your clinician.

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Definition

Vitamin B18 (Choline) is a water-soluble nutrient and a new member of the vitamin B family. Since all the numbers of the vitamin B family have been already taken, we, at the Canadian Academy of Sports Nutrition, have named choline as the “vitamin B18” for the first time. Being referred to as a “lipotropic agent”, choline is considered a “conditionally essential” nutrient in that de novo synthesis occurs in the liver.

Functions of Choline Vitamin B18 (Choline)

It is a precursor for acetylcholine, phospholipids, and betaine.
It is required for the metabolism of fat and cholesterol.
It is necessary for the integrity of cell membranes and transmembrane signaling.
It helps with the utilization of fats in the body (lipotropic).
It has an important role in the detoxification system.
It is vital for the myelin sheaths of the nerves and normal function of the liver and gallbladder.

Food Sources and Absorption Vitamin B18 (Choline)

The highest amount of choline is found in phosphatidylcholine (lecithin), which is usually extracted from soybeans. Other food sources are brewer`s yeast, wheat germ, egg yolk, organ meats, flaxseeds, sesame seeds, and peanuts. Small amounts can be found in potatoes, lentils, cauliflowers, and oats. This vitamin is manufactured by the liver as well.
Choline is absorbed well from the small intestine and can easily cross the blood-brain barrier into the spinal fluid and brain wherein it is used to produce the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.

Athletic Benefits of Choline

Heavy exercise and intense training lower the levels of choline in the body. Being claimed as a sport ergogenic aid, choline may demonstrate the following athletic benefits:

It may improve exercise recovery.
It may enhance mental acuity.
It may increase endurance performance.
It may prevent post-exercise muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis).under the section of “Athletic Disorders”.
It may diminish exercise-induced fatigue.

Non-Athletic Benefits of Choline

Choline may be beneficial in the following conditions:

Fatty liver
Liver cirrhosis
High cholesterol levels
High homocysteine levels
Alzheimer’s disease
Dementias
Tardive dyskinesia
Asthma
Prevention of neural tube defects
Multiple sclerosis
Parkinson`s disease
Bipolar disorder
Glaucoma
Tinnitus.
Hypoglycemia.

Choline Deficiency

Choline deficiency results in a wide range of health concerns, such as fatty liver, elevated liver enzymes, skeletal muscle damage with elevated levels of creatine phosphokinase, and fatigue. It has been also linked to insomnia, high levels of homocysteine, and heart diseases.

Dosage and Side Effects:

The recommended adequate intakes of choline for men and women are 550 mg per day and 425 mg per day, respectively. The PDI (performance daily intake) of choline for athletes and physically active men and women is 600 – 1200 mg a day. The upper limit for choline has been set at 3500 mg a day.

Choline is available either as 250 mg, 500 mg, and 1000 mg and usually combined with inositol (vitamin B8) or as lecithin at 1200 mg. One pill of lecithin provides about 50 mg of choline.

Larger doses of choline may cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, and fishy body odor (due to breakdown of choline to trimethylamine in the GI tract).

People with fish odor syndrome (trimethylaminuria) should avoid taking choline supplements.

References

Vitamin B18 (Choline), Functions, Food Source, Benefits

Safety note: This is not a prescription or diagnosis. For severe symptoms, pregnancy danger signs, children with serious illness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke-like weakness, or major injury, seek urgent care.

Which doctor may help?

Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

Write when the problem started and how it changed.
Bring old prescriptions, investigation reports, and current medicines.
Write allergies, pregnancy status, diabetes, kidney/liver disease, and major past illnesses.
Bring one family member if the patient is weak, elderly, confused, or a child.

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which danger signs mean I should go to hospital quickly?
Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
How should I take medicines safely and what side effects should I watch for?
When should I come for follow-up?

Tests to discuss

Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
Basic physical examination by a clinician
CBC, urine test, blood sugar, or imaging only when clinically needed

Avoid these mistakes

Do not use antibiotics, steroid tablets/injections, or strong painkillers without proper medical advice.
Do not hide pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer, allergy, or blood thinner use.
Do not delay emergency care when danger signs are present.

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

This section is for patient education only. It does not replace a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care.

Safe first steps

Use oral rehydration solution and safe fluids to prevent dehydration.
Continue safe, light food as tolerated.
Seek care for children, older adults, pregnancy, or chronic illness.

OTC medicine safety

ORS is usually safer than unnecessary antibiotics for simple watery diarrhea.
Do not use anti-diarrhea stopping medicines if there is blood in stool or high fever unless a doctor advises.

Avoid these mistakes

Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

Blood in stool, severe dehydration, persistent vomiting, very low urine, or lethargy needs urgent care.

Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

For rural patients and family caregivers

Patient health record and symptom diary

Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Doctor / qualified healthcare provider

Tests to discuss with doctor

Basic vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen level if needed
Relevant blood, urine, imaging, or specialist tests only after clinical assessment

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
Which tests are really needed now?
Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Go to emergency care if you notice:

Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration

Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.

Step 1
Check danger signs first

If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.
Step 2
Record the symptom story

Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.
Step 3
Visit a qualified clinician

A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.
Step 4
Do only useful tests

Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.
Step 5
Follow up and return early if worse

If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips

Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

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Emergency first: Severe chest pain, breathing trouble, unconsciousness, stroke signs, severe injury, heavy bleeding, or rapidly worsening symptoms need urgent local medical care now.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.

References

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