Dietary Reference Intakes: Choline

Special Note

[recommendations reflect choline intake from all sources]

General Information

[primary functions]

required for cell membrane structural integrity; involved in methyl metabolism, cholinergic neurotransmission, transmembrane signaling, lipid and cholesterol transport and metabolism

[selected sources]

endogenous synthesis; liver, wheat germ, cod fish, cauliflower, milk, eggs, peanuts

Dietary Reference Intake

[0-6 mo]

125 mg/day; Info: upper limit not established, potential for adverse effects with high intake; only sources of intake should be breastmilk, formula, and food

[7-11 mo]

150 mg/day; Info: upper limit not established, potential for adverse effects with high intake; only sources of intake should be breastmilk, formula, and food

[1-3 yo]

200 mg/day; Info: total intake >1000 mg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[4-8 yo]

250 mg/day; Info: total intake >1000 mg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[9-13 yo]

375 mg/day; Info: total intake >2000 mg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[14-18 yo, females]

400 mg/day; Info: incr. to 450 mg/day if pregnant, 550 mg/day if breastfeeding; total intake >3000 mg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[14-18 yo, males]

550 mg/day; Info: total intake >3000 mg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[19 yo and older, females]

425 mg/day; Info: incr. to 450 mg/day if pregnant, 550 mg/day if breastfeeding; total intake >3500 mg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[19 yo and older, males]

550 mg/day; Info: total intake >3500 mg/day associated with incr. adverse effects