Vitamin B4, also known as choline, is a water-soluble vitamin found in various foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and herbs. It plays important roles in cell metabolism, acting as a component of DNA/RNA and ATP. Vitamin B4 supports liver and brain function, fat metabolism, muscle movement, cell membrane integrity, and the immune and nervous systems. While deficiency can cause various health issues, toxicity is rare and only occurs at extremely high doses above 5,000 mg.

1. Vitamin B4
By
Azamu Shahiullah
BRAC University

2. Vitamin B4
 B vitamins are a group of water-
soluble vitamins that play important roles
in cell metabolism.
 In general, supplements containing all
eight are referred to as a vitamin B
complex.

3. Vitamin B4
Sources B4 occurs naturally in plants,
among them
1. Vegetables
2. fresh fruits
3. wild honey
4. whole grains

4. Vitamin B4
Additionally, a variety of herbs contain B4
including
1. Gingerblessed thistle
2. Burdock
3. Cloves
4. catnip.

5. Vitamin B4
Function B4 also called choline is
 water soluble and enters the
bloodstream immediately.
 It is one of the chemicals that enable
DNA and RNA to store and transmit
genetic information.
 B4 is also a component of ATP, a vital
chemical that transfers energy during
chemical reactions.

6. Vitamin B4
 It alleviates fatigue promotes cell
formation
 lowers cholesterol levels
 increase the production of antibodies to
fight infections, assisting in the balance
of blood sugar, and strengthening the
immune system.

7. Vitamin B4
 member of the B-complex family
 known as one of the “lipotrophic” factors.
Lipotrophic means that choline
possesses properties that prevent the
excessive accumulation of fat in the liver.

8. Vitamin B4
Chemistry
 Crucial component of the
neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is
necessary for muscle movement and
brain function.
 Crucial component of
phosphatidlycholine, which is necessary
for cell membrane integrity.

9. Vitamin B4
 Component of sphingomylelin, which is
found in myelin sheaths (a type of
insulating material) that protects and is
essential for the proper functioning of the
nervous system.
 Regulates liver function and minimizes
excessive fat deposits. Necessary for
normal fat metabolism.

10. Vitamin B4
Deficiency
 Alzheimer’s
 Parkinson’s
 Cardiovascular disease
 Anxiety
 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD)
 Schizophrenia

11. Vitamin B4
 Cirrhosis
 Epilepsy
 Failure to thrive in newborns
 Hypertension
 Hypertriglyceridemia
 Infertility and birth defects
 Memory issues
 Arthrosclerosis

12. Vitamin B4
Dosages
 The average dosage for vitamin B4 is
between 300 – 3500 mg, although it has been
noted that benefits in memory issues such as
Alzheimer’s are more pronounced at dosages
closer to 5000 mg.
 There was a study done where Alzheimer’s
patients were given 9000 mg (9g) of choline
citrate for twenty-one days with no reported
negative side effects.

13. Vitamin B4
Toxicity
 Vitamin B4 has no known toxicity, except
at exceedingly high doses (5000 mg to
10,000+ mg.) The most prevalent side
effect is gastrointestinal disturbances such
as diarrhea and nausea.