Bailey Explores the Impact of Choline Intake and Genetics on Liver Health

Regan Bailey

Choline is an essential nutrient that supports liver function while helping the brain and nervous system regulate memory, mood, muscle control, and other key processes, while also playing a vital role in forming the membranes that surround the body’s cells. 
A cross-sectional study co-authored by Professor Regan Bailey, Ph.D., used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to explore whether genetic variation affects the relationship between choline intake and liver health in U.S. adults.

Researchers analyzed data from more than 1,400 participants, focusing on genetic variants in enzymes involved in one-carbon and choline metabolism. While previous controlled feeding studies have shown that certain genotypes increase the risk of organ dysfunction when choline intake is low, this population-based analysis found no overall association between dietary choline and biomarkers of liver damage.

One exception stood out, as participants with a specific genetic variant known as MTR GG showed higher triglyceride levels with greater choline intake. The authors note that differences in average choline intake and the limitations of dietary recall data may explain why these findings differ from results in controlled trials. They recommend future studies to further explore how genes and diet interact to influence liver health.

Read Full Article Here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40306555/

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