Chow down for continued health

You already know it as a way to beat eye “floaters.”

You’ve heard how it can help battle Barrett’s esophagus.

And I’ve told you how this multi-talented nutrient can also help keep things frisky in the bedroom.

Of course, I’m talking about choline, a nutrient found in eggs and meat. And now research out of the University of Rochester Medical Center is showing a benefit of choline that could beat them all.

Getting higher levels of choline during early pregnancy could help set your baby up for a lifetime of good health.

Specifically, the nutrient can help protect against chronic conditions (including hypertension) later in life. It may also help lower your baby’s future vulnerability to stress-related illnesses.

The researchers think the effect has something to do with reducing levels of cortisol when the baby is in the womb. Early exposure to high levels of cortisol has been linked to increased lifelong risk of stress-related diseases and metabolic disorders.

It’s easy to increase choline intake. Organic eggs and meats are a tasty way to get more of this important nutrient. Eggs have the most, followed by beef liver and pork. A good vegetarian source is wheat germ. Supplements are available at most health food stores.

In the past, we’ve written about the too-low recommendations for choline. And of course, choline is good for us at every stage of life, not just when we’re building our family. In addition to the benefits I spoke of earlier, choline helps protect your liver and muscles.

In the past, Dr. Wright has noted a dose of 1,000-3,000 mg for various applications, but, as always, you should work with your own doctor to find the right level for you.

P.S. Keep reading for a reader’s skin-cancer success story.

Sources:
“Researchers back maternal choline for long term health,” Nutraingredients USA (nutraingredients-usa.com)