Focus & memory
Look for
Also goodThe focus oneCiticoline (CDP-choline)
The brain oneAlpha-GPC
What variations of choline exist?
An essential nutrient for the brain, liver, and cell membranes. It's especially important in pregnancy, and many prenatals contain little. It comes in 5 forms, and they aren't all the same. Here's how they differ.
For education only. What's right for you depends on your health and your medications, so check with your provider before you start or switch. Book a consult
Pick by what you want help with
Pregnancy planning
Look for
Also goodThe prenatal oneCholine bitartrate
- Also consider
- Budget-friendly: the prenatal one (Choline bitartrate)
Every form, in plain words
The prenatal one
Choline bitartrate
Common and inexpensive. Often used in prenatals.
Good for: Pregnancy planning · Budget-friendly
The focus one
Citicoline (CDP-choline)
Often chosen for focus and memory.
Good for: Focus & memory
The brain one
Alpha-GPC
A concentrated form often used for brain support.
Good for: Focus & memory
The food one
Phosphatidylcholine
The form found in food. Often chosen for liver support.
Usually skip
- The diluted one (Lecithin)Only part of it is the useful form, so it gives you less choline.
Spotting a good one on the shelf
Look for
- Look for 'Choline bitartrate' on the label (the prenatal one)
Watch out for
- Prenatals that list choline but give only a small amount
- Labels that give the weight of the whole compound instead of the choline it provides
Check with your provider first if…
- Pregnancy. Choline matters, so ask which form and how much is right for you.
- Trimethylaminuria (a condition that causes a fishy body odor)
- A fishy body odor, sweating, or stomach upset can be signs of too much
In Dr. Lesher's store
3 products in Dr. Lesher's dispensary have choline. Here's which form, where the label says.
Check with your provider before taking any of these, especially if you're pregnant or take medications.
MegaFood
Baby & Me 2™
Has bitartrate (the prenatal one), good for pregnancy planning
150 mg per serving
MegaFood
Baby & Me 2™ Postnatal Multi
Has bitartrate (the prenatal one), good for pregnancy planning
100 mg per serving
AOR US
Estro Freedom
Has bitartrate (the prenatal one), good for pregnancy planning
15 mg per serving
Ready to find the root cause?
Dr. Lesher is a Naturopathic Doctor who focuses on autoimmune and chronic conditions in women. Since 2020, she's helped hundreds of patients stop managing symptoms and start healing.