Choline Bitartrate
Also known as: choline hydrogen tartrate, choline bitartrate, (2-hydroxyethyl)trimethylammonium bitartrate, vitamin B4 (obsolete)
Choline bitartrate is the tartaric acid salt of choline and the most economical way to add this essential nutrient to a formula. Choline is needed for cell membranes, the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, and fat transport out of the liver, and NIH ODS notes most Americans fall short of the Adequate Intake. About 41 percent of the salt by mass is choline, so doses here are expressed as mg choline. It is used in prenatal, liver-support, and general nutrition products, and as a budget choline source in nootropic blends.
Research summary
Dissociates to free choline, which is used for phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin synthesis, acetylcholine synthesis, and, via betaine, as a methyl donor.
Dosage
Daily amounts, elemental (41% of the compound is the element).
| Lowest studied | Typical range | Highest studied | Upper limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 mg | 250–550 mg | 550 mg | 3,500 mg |
NIH ODS — UL is 3,500 mg/day of choline for adults 19+ from food plus supplements, based on hypotension and fishy body odor
Doses are mg choline. Elemental fraction 0.41 is stoichiometric: choline cation MW 104.2 divided by choline bitartrate MW 253.2 = 0.411, so 250 mg choline needs about 610 mg choline bitartrate. Adequate Intake is 550 mg for men and 425 mg for women (450 mg pregnancy, 550 mg lactation); DV 550 mg. NIH ODS reports supplements typically carry 10 to 250 mg choline. A crossover study compared 550 mg choline equivalent from bitartrate and other forms in healthy men; supplemental choline raises TMAO in a dose-dependent way. Sour, hygroscopic powder; split high doses with meals.
Standardization: ≥98% choline bitartrate (41% choline)
Source material: synthetic
Forms of Choline
| Form | Typical dose | Element % | Formats | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Choline Bitartrate | 250–550 mg | 41% | Capsule, Tablet, Powder, Liquid | low |
| Alpha-GPC | 300–600 mg | — | Capsule, Powder, Tablet, Liquid | mid |
| Citicoline (CDP-Choline) | 250–500 mg | — | Capsule, Tablet, Powder, Liquid | high |
Format suitability
- Capsule
- Powder
- Tablet
- Softgel
- Gummy
- Liquid
Very hygroscopic and sour; bulky at meaningful choline doses (610 mg salt per 250 mg choline). Fishy odor can develop in moist formulas.
Formulation notes
Count choline from all sources (alpha-GPC, citicoline, phosphatidylcholine) against the 3,500 mg UL. Standard prenatal partner for folate and DHA.
- Has an upper limit
Sources
- Choline — Health Professional Fact SheetNIH ODS
- Differential metabolism of choline supplements in adult volunteers. (Böckmann KA, 2022)PubMed
- Dietary Choline Supplements, but Not Eggs, Raise Fasting TMAO Levels in Participants with Normal Renal Function: A Randomized Clinical Trial. (Wilcox J, 2021)PubMed
Related ingredients
Sunflower Lecithin
Fatty acidSunflower lecithin is a mixture of phospholipids, chiefly phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylethanolamine, separated from sunflower oil during degumming.
Typical: 1,200–2,400 mg
Fish Oil (EPA/DHA Concentrate)
Fatty acidFish oil concentrate is a refined marine oil enriched in the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Typical: 500–2,000 mg
Calcium Carbonate
MineralThe most concentrated and least expensive common calcium salt, supplying about 40% elemental calcium by weight.
Typical: 250–600 mg
Folic Acid
VitaminFolic acid is the fully oxidized, synthetic form of folate used in food fortification and most supplements.
Typical: 400–800 mcg
Calcium Citrate
MineralA calcium salt of citric acid that does not rely on stomach acid to dissolve, so it can be taken with or without food and is often chosen for older adults and people on acid-reducing medication.
Typical: 200–500 mg