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Citicoline is a supplement that may boost brain performance, improve memory, and help treat neurological diseases. Research on its effectiveness is mixed.

Citicoline is a naturally occurring brain chemical that has neuroprotective effects, meaning it helps protect and repair the cells, structure, and function of your nervous system. Citicoline is available as a dietary supplement that can be used to enhance thinking ability and memory.

Researchers have also examined citicoline as a drug for neurological conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, and dementia.

This article takes a closer look at citicoline’s potential uses and benefits, side effects, and dosage.

What is citicoline?

Citicoline is a naturally occurring chemical compound that supports brain function and health. It’s also known as cytidine 5’-diphosphocholine or CDP-choline.

In the human body, citicoline plays a crucial role in forming neuron cell membranes. It’s known to have neuroprotective properties such as promoting brain metabolism and increasing neurotransmitter levels in the central nervous system.

Citicoline is available as a dietary supplement that is chemically identical to the naturally occurring compound. It belongs to a class of substances called nootropic agents, which are used to improve thinking ability and memory.

The dietary supplement is available over the counter in the United States and as a prescription drug in Europe and Japan.

In a clinical setting, healthcare professionals may give citicoline therapy as a medication you take by mouth, as an injection into a muscle, or as an intravenous medication that flows directly into your vein.

Citicoline vs. choline

Citicoline and choline are both dietary supplements that support brain health, but they are not the same.

Citicoline supplements release two main substances into your body: cytidine and choline. Once absorbed, they cross the blood-brain barrier and reach your central nervous system, where they produce a range of neuroprotective effects.

In contrast, choline supplements provide only choline, an essential nutrient that supports fat metabolism, liver health, and brain function.

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What are the potential side effects and precautions to be aware of with citicoline?

Because citicoline occurs naturally in your body, it has low toxicity and a low risk of side effects.

Research, including a small 2021 trial, suggests that citicoline is safe and well tolerated. Side effects are rare and mild.

The side effects of citicoline may include:

• headache
• nausea
• stomach pain
• diarrhea
• constipation
• restlessness

Research suggests that citicoline interacts with the drug levodopa, a dopaminergic agent used to treat Parkinson’s disease.

Talk with a healthcare professional before taking citicoline as a dietary supplement. They can provide information about any potential side effects or interactions it may have with medications you use.

Who should not use citicoline?

People who are pregnant or nursing should not use citicoline. The safety of citicoline for these populations is unknown.

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What is the recommended dosage and duration?

The recommended dosage of citicoline as a dietary supplement is 500 milligrams (mg) per day. It’s important not to take more than the recommended amount.

When citicoline is used as a drug for specific medical conditions, the dosage ranges from 500 to 2,000 mg per day. Clinical trials have investigated citicoline use for 3–12 weeks, depending on the condition being treated.

Before taking citicoline dietary supplements, be sure to talk with a healthcare professional. They can recommend a safe dosage and duration based on your overall health and any medications you’re currently taking.

What to look for when purchasing citicoline dietary supplements

• Choose products that use transparent third-party testing for safe ingredients and potency.
• Select brands that adhere to Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) standards.
• Make sure the label on the supplement package clearly lists all ingredients.
• Check customer reviews online and look for products with positive and genuine reviews.
• Compare prices to find an affordable product that suits your budget.

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Takeaway

Citicoline is a naturally occurring brain chemical that has neuroprotective properties. It’s available as a dietary supplement that can be used to improve memory and thinking ability.

Some research supports these uses, especially in older adults with memory loss, but more research is needed on the potential benefits of citicoline.

Talk with a healthcare professional before taking citicoline supplements. They can discuss any safety concerns and potential interactions with other medications.

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Choline is a water-soluble nutrient that your body needs to maintain typical functioning. While your liver can make small amounts of choline, you must get most of your choline from your diet (1).

Although many foods — including eggs, salmon, cauliflower, broccoli, and beef — contain choline, some people may not be able to fulfill their choline needs through diet alone (2).

This article lists the 3 best choline supplements, according to dietitians.

What is choline?

Choline is a water-soluble essential nutrient. It’s not considered a vitamin or a mineral but is often grouped with the B vitamins because it has some similarities to them.

This nutrient is involved in several essential bodily processes that affect the health and development of your heart, liver, brain, and nervous system. It also plays an essential role in muscle contractions (1, 2, 3, 4).

How much choline do you need?

There’s currently not enough evidence to establish a Recommended Dietary Allowance for choline.

Instead, the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine has established Adequate Intake (AI) levels, which indicate the amount of choline that is assumed to be adequate for individual health (2).

Current AIs for choline in teens and adults are as follows:

AgeMaleFemalePregnancyLactation14–18 years550 mg/day400 mg/day450 mg/day550 mg/day19+ years550 mg/day425 mg /day450 mg/day550 mg/day

Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has created a Daily Value (DV) for choline to be used on food and supplement packaging.

The current DV for choline is 550 milligrams (mg) for all people over age 4 (2).

However, keep in mind that the optimal amount of choline for you may vary depending on your current health needs. You can talk with a healthcare professional about how much choline you should be getting through diet or supplements.

Who should take a choline supplement?

Most healthy adults can meet their choline needs through diet alone. However, some people may have greater choline needs or be more likely to have a deficiency in this nutrient.

While more research is needed, people who may benefit from a choline supplement include (3, 5, 6, 7):

• those who are pregnant or nursing
• endurance athletes
• those who have certain genetic variations

It’s important to discuss supplements with a trusted healthcare professional before trying them. In addition to helping you decide whether a choline supplement may be right for you, they can recommend an appropriate dose.

How we chose

We selected the best choline supplements using the following criteria:

• Form of choline: We selected supplements that contain forms of choline that have been shown to be beneficial for their intended use.
• Ingredient quality: The products below feature high quality ingredients and contain minimal, if any, artificial additives.
• Supplement function: We selected products to suit a variety of health needs.

Why you should trust us

Every brand and product on our list has been reviewed by registered dietitians and vetted to ensure that it aligns with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. Each product in this article:

• adheres to allowable health claims and labeling requirements, per FDA regulations
• is manufactured in facilities that adhere to the current good manufacturing practices (CGMPs) established by the FDA
• is produced by a medically credible company that follows ethical, legal, and industry best standards
• is made by a company that provides objective measures of trust, such as having its supplements validated by third-party labs

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How to choose a choline supplement

When shopping for a choline supplement, it’s important to consider several factors:

• Choline form: Although more research is needed on this topic, some forms of choline may be better for certain uses than others. For example, CDP-choline may be more effective for supporting ability to think (8).
• Dose: The amount of choline that you should take in supplement form varies based on the type of choline in the supplement, as well as your age, current diet, and reason for taking the supplement.
• Supplement type: Some types of supplements are easier to swallow than others. Choose a product that you feel comfortable taking.
• Quality and brand reputation: Because the FDA does not regulate supplements in the same way as pharmaceuticals, it’s important to choose a quality product that is produced by a reputable brand and third-party tested to ensure purity and potency.

Safety and side effects

As with most supplements, it is important not to consume more than the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) of choline.

Additionally, to reduce the risk of side effects, you should not consume more than the AI of choline unless a healthcare professional advises it.

The current ULs for choline are as follows (2):

AgeMaleFemalePregnancyLactation1–8 years1,000 mg1,000 mg9–13 years2,000 mg2,000 mg14–18 years3,000 mg3,000 mg3,000 mg3,000 mg19+ years3,500 mg3,500 mg3,500 mg3,500 mg

People who exceed the UL for choline may experience the following symptoms (2):

• vomiting
• liver toxicity
• low blood pressure
• excessive sweating and salivation
• fishy body odor

Before taking a choline supplement, talk with a healthcare professional to determine the right dose and product for your needs.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best form of choline to take?

Research on the differences among the forms of choline found in supplements is lacking. However, some studies suggest that certain forms may be easier to absorb or better for certain purposes.

For example, citicoline (CDP-choline) may be more effective for brain health because of its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, whereas phosphatidylcholine has been shown to be beneficial for supporting liver health in people with NAFLD (8, 18, 19).

Who should take choline supplements?

People who may benefit from taking choline supplements include those who are pregnant or nursing and those who have a genetic variation that makes it harder to meet choline needs through diet alone.

People who have dietary restrictions or difficulties with nutrient absorption may benefit from taking a multivitamin that contains choline.

Always consult a healthcare professional before taking any new supplements. They can determine the appropriate product and dosage for you.

Should you take choline daily?

Choline supplements are safe to take daily, though they aren’t necessary for everyone.

If a healthcare professional has recommended that you take a choline supplement, make sure to consume only the recommended dose.

Can you take too much choline?

Yes. To avoid potentially dangerous side effects, adults should not consume more than 3,500 mg of choline from supplements per day (2).

Potential side effects of excess choline intake include liver toxicity, vomiting, low blood pressure, fishy body odor, and excess sweating and saliva production.

Why is choline important during pregnancy?

Choline is an essential nutrient for fetal brain development, and research suggests that increased choline intake during pregnancy may positively affect a child’s memory, thinking ability, behavior, and even chronic disease risk later in life (20).

The bottom line

Choline is an essential nutrient that affects liver, brain, and heart health. It also plays an essential role in fetal brain development (1).

Because several foods contain choline, many people can meet their choline needs through diet alone.

If you’re pregnant, nursing, or generally worried that you’re not getting enough choline in your diet, it’s important to talk with a healthcare professional about whether a choline supplement is right for you.

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