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Anxiety disorders tied to low levels of an essential nutrient in the brain (choline)
Medical Xpress / UC Davis / Molecular Psychiatry ^ | Nov. 10, 2025 | Richard J. Maddock et al

Posted on 11/11/2025 3:06:53 PM PST by ConservativeMind

People with anxiety disorders have lower levels of choline in their brains, according to research.

The study analyzed data from 25 studies. The researchers compared the levels of neurometabolites—chemicals produced during brain metabolism—in 370 people with anxiety disorders to 342 people without anxiety.

They found the level of choline—an essential nutrient—was about 8% lower in those with anxiety disorders. The evidence for low choline was especially consistent in the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that helps control thinking, emotions and behavior.

"This is the first meta-analysis to show a chemical pattern in the brain in anxiety disorders," said Jason Smucny. "It suggests nutritional approaches—like appropriate choline supplementation—may help restore brain chemistry and improve outcomes for patients."

Choline (pronounced KOE lean) is vital for cell membranes and brain functions like memory, mood regulation and muscle control. The body makes a small amount, but most must come from food.

Maddock spent decades in clinical practice treating patients with anxiety disorders and conducting research on these conditions.

"Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting about 30% of adults. They can be debilitating for people, and many people do not receive adequate treatment," Maddock said.

Anxiety disorders include:

—Generalized anxiety disorder

—Panic disorder

—Social anxiety disorders

—Phobias

"Someone with an anxiety disorder might want to look at their diet and see whether they are getting the recommended daily amount of choline. Previous research has shown that most people in the U.S., including children, don't get the recommended daily amount," Maddock said. "Some forms of omega-3 fatty acids, like those found in salmon, may be especially good sources for supplying choline to the brain."

Other foods rich in choline include beef liver, eggs (particularly the yolk), beef, chicken, fish, soybeans and milk, among others.

(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: anxiety; brain; choline; nerves

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This is easy to fix with food or supplements.
1 posted on 11/11/2025 3:06:53 PM PST by ConservativeMind
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To: Mazey; ckilmer; goodnesswins; Jane Long; jy8z; ProtectOurFreedom; matthew fuller; telescope115; ...

The “Take Charge Of Your Health” Ping List

This high volume ping list is for health articles and studies which describe something you or your doctor, when informed, may be able to immediately implement for your benefit.

Email me to get on either the “Common/Top Issues” (20 - 25% fewer pings) or “Everything” list.

2 posted on 11/11/2025 3:07:31 PM PST by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: ConservativeMind

I really believe that most anxiety disorder diagnoses are people who want to feel special by having a disorder.


3 posted on 11/11/2025 3:10:12 PM PST by Opinionated Blowhard (When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.)
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To: ConservativeMind

Oh no, what if I can’t get enough choline?


4 posted on 11/11/2025 3:17:06 PM PST by HartleyMBaldwin
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To: ConservativeMind

Eat your eggs!

I eat at least four eggs every day.


5 posted on 11/11/2025 3:17:52 PM PST by dfwgator ("I am Charlie Kirk!")
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To: ConservativeMind

particularly the yolk...


Oh here we go. Now the American Heart Association will jump on this bandwagon!


6 posted on 11/11/2025 3:18:17 PM PST by Deepeasttx ( Sensitivity/diversity training are all un-walled reeducation camps....for now.. DEI gone. Yippee)
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To: ConservativeMind

Bkmk


7 posted on 11/11/2025 3:23:33 PM PST by sauropod
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To: ConservativeMind

I have been reading this about Choline since the 1970s.


8 posted on 11/11/2025 3:26:38 PM PST by rexthecat
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To: HartleyMBaldwin

Eat two eggs a day cooked in Irish butter.


9 posted on 11/11/2025 3:27:56 PM PST by TheThirdRuffian (Orange is the new brown)
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To: HartleyMBaldwin

You better like chicken


10 posted on 11/11/2025 3:42:15 PM PST by waterhill (Nobody cares, work harder!)
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To: HartleyMBaldwin

lol!


11 posted on 11/11/2025 3:46:03 PM PST by married21 (As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.)
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To: ConservativeMind

> foods rich in choline include beef liver, eggs (particularly the yolk), beef, chicken, fish, soybeans and milk,

Perhaps explaining why so many militant vegans come across as nuts.


12 posted on 11/11/2025 4:16:32 PM PST by Flatus I. Maximus (Orwell's _1984_ was supposed to be a warning, not an instruction manual. )
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To: Flatus I. Maximus

Perhaps explaining why so many militant vegans come across as nuts.


It’s certainly a factor.


13 posted on 11/11/2025 4:18:32 PM PST by dfwgator ("I am Charlie Kirk!")
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To: ConservativeMind

“This is the first meta-analysis to show a chemical pattern in the brain......”

Makes one wonder if this type of analysis were to be utilized on the body as a whole, what other ailments may be properly diagnosed.


14 posted on 11/11/2025 4:32:58 PM PST by LastDayz (A Blunt and Brazen Texan. I Will Not Be Assimilated.)
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To: dfwgator

I don’t know about anxiety but I have experienced shaper memory with lecithin and other choline supplements. Better than ginko biloba.


15 posted on 11/11/2025 4:42:05 PM PST by Larry Lucido (Donate! Don't just post clickbait.)
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To: ConservativeMind

I’ve read that Choline is good for fatty liver problems.


16 posted on 11/11/2025 4:47:55 PM PST by Fresh Wind (Charlie Kirk: "If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine")
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To: ConservativeMind

I was just reading something earlier today about low GABA being linked to anxiety and depression.


17 posted on 11/11/2025 5:24:35 PM PST by Roos_Girl (The world is full of educated derelicts. - Calvin Coolidge)
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To: ConservativeMind

I don’t think it’s an easy fix. Diet helps regulate the mind, but overwhelming experiences also determine disorders. This paints a too optimistic view, as if all these things could be corrected by one thing. The other article that you had on anxiety in rats also suggested a cure through URO A supplements (e.g., from pomegranates). However, that doesn’t aways translate into the same result for humans. There can be an 80% chance it will miss. URO A does provide muscle tone for humans, but not relief from anxiety. We would have known long before if it did.


18 posted on 11/11/2025 6:29:56 PM PST by BEJ
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To: ConservativeMind

Anxiety disorders include:

—Generalized anxiety disorder

—Panic disorder

—Social anxiety disorders

—Phobias

What would help the most if someone concluded they had them all?


19 posted on 11/11/2025 6:41:03 PM PST by kawhill ("And we'll do what we must, and we'll cry without making a sound". Corbin, John)
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To: ConservativeMind

.


20 posted on 11/11/2025 8:10:30 PM PST by redinIllinois (Pro-life, accountant, gun-totin' Grandma - multi issue voter I'm)
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