AMA Recommendations Highlight Importance of Choline for Pregnancy

Abstract

The American Medical Association (AMA) recently announced its recommendation to include choline in prenatal vitamins.1 Choline is an essential nutrient that is particularly important during pregnancy, as it impacts fetal brain development and can help prevent birth defects.2

Currently, most prenatal vitamins only contain 0-55 mg of choline, far less than the daily adequate intake of 450mg. Pregnant women are not the only ones falling short on choline intake. Recent data shows that approximately 90% of Americans do not consume an adequate amount.3

This recommendation from AMA highlights the increased recognition of choline as a nutrient of concern. The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) also list choline as a nutrient under consumed by most Americans. The DGAs recommend individuals shift to healthier eating patterns to help increase intake of important nutrients, such as choline.4

Unfortunately, choline is not found in high quantities in many foods typically consumed by Americans, with one exception. Eggs have one of the highest amounts of choline of any food. Two large eggs contain more than half of the recommended intake for pregnant women – and can help them meet their needs.2

Read more about changing perspectives on choline from Dr. Taylor Wallace, including new data from his lab, in this blog post.

Reference

Wallace, T. AMA Recommendations Highlight Importance of Choline for Pregnancy. Dr Taylor Wallance Food and Nutrition Blog. 2017. http://www.eggnutritioncenter.org/blog/ama-recommendations-highlight-importance-choline-pregnancy/