What Is Choline Chloride Used For?

Choline chloride is a common additive in animal feeds for both farm animals and pets. Some people also take it as a supplement. Choline is an essential nutritive chemical, while chloride is an electrolyte salt commonly included in nutrition supplements.

Agricultural Use

• Choline enhances and accelerates growth in animals during times of rapid development. It is especially effective at doing so in poultry, and so it is a common poultry feed additive.

Human Use

• Choline is particularly important for fetal development and for babies and children. Human milk contains a high amount of choline.

Function

• Choline is important for cell membrane structure, for synthesizing folic acid and vitamin B12, and for protecting the liver from accumulating fat.

Theorized Benefits

• Some people take choline chloride supplements to protect the liver from damage, to lower cholesterol, to improve memory and to enhance mood.

Choline in Food

• Many foods contain choline, and people who want to include more choline in their diet can eat beef and beef liver, eggs, cauliflower, wheat germ, soy foods, cod and salmon, broccoli, peanut butter and milk.