• Supports the nervous system functions
• Used in infertility treatment
• Improves general well-being
• Supports the metabolism of fatty acids
• An essential supplement to the everyday diet
• Positive effects on the circulatory system
• Improves conductivity of nerves
• Recommended for diabetes

Choline and inositol are grouped within the B-complex vitamins. The dietary supplement Now Foods, Choline & Inositol may be useful in treatment of insomnia, cardiovascular problems, headache, memory problems, infertility and depression. It can even prevent hair losing (alopecia).

Choline (choline bitartrate) – is a combination of tartaric acid and choline in a form of an ester which, in this form, becomes a precursor of acetylcholine – a neurotransmitter which is responsible for memory functions, logical reasoning and concentration. It is called a vitamin that enlivens the mind. Already in the period of earliest infancy, the brain and the whole nervous system develop due to choline, which is contained in breast milk.

Choline is a substratum in the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin. These are phospholipids that form membrane of all cells. It is of great importance for the glial cells, which form myelin sheath around axons. The myelin sheath is responsible for isolation and improving transmission of nerve impulses.

Relation between choline and cholesterol
Choline is classified as so called lipotropic substance that processes, dissolves and transports fat molecules. Lipoproteins are fat compounds which are covered with a kind of a protective layer made out of protein. Only in this way they may be transported in blood, otherwise fat would be deposited on the walls of blood vessels.

Choline forms fatty substances and lipoproteins. Together with other substances, it facilitates not only the transportation of fats from liver to other organs but also its absorption and use in cells. Cholesterol is an essential substance because it forms cell membrane and makes up about 50% of myelin sheath protecting verve cells.

Together with other compounds, choline is responsible for the right blood viscosity. Choline deficiency causes that cholesterol circulates in the bloodstream but it does not reach cells. Then it becomes rancid, dead proteins link with each other and crust. It causes that cells cannot absorb nutritional substances. Not enough nourished cells loss their activity, they are unable to send signals to the brain and they even die.

Medical use
An attempt was made to use choline in a treatment of some diseases, such as Huntington's disease, dyskinesia, disruptions of the nervous system linked with low acetylcholine level in the brain (Alzheimer's disease, inability to learn, disrupting speech learning, delay of motor functions). But the research is still being conducted and the results of choline therapy are not always unambiguous. The researchers suppose that choline might prevent tumors.

Choline deficiency
Choline deficiency may result in decline in functions of brain, nerves, memory, concentration. It may cause anxiety, annoyance, insomnia, heart and circulation problems, headache, buzzing in the ears, fat accumulation in the liver, obstruction.

Inositol (vitamin B) – is called a vitamin of fertility or a vitamin of luck. It may be synthesized by the body system, but the produced amount does not cover all needs. It forms phosphatidylinositol, which is a phospholipid, a component of cell membrane, and a precursor of inositol trisphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerols (DAG) – important secondary transmitters (intracellular mediators) that take part in the exchange of chemical information.

Production of inositol in the body system
Inositol is synthesized in the brain, partially in the liver, kidneys and probably in all tissues. It also forms cells membranes. It circulates in the bloodstream from where it is absorbed by cells which are unable to synthesize them. Inositol is also produced by bacteria present in our body system, for example by the cells that are present in the digestive system.

Inositol and the digestive system
To make it possible that the body system absorbs inositol from food, an enzyme called phytase is needed. It is contained in intestinal juice and intestinal villi. That is why any disruption in intestinal environment may result in inositol deficiency. The inositol deficiency may also occur due to poor diet – when we eat only semi-finished products or for example meals prepared in a microwave (it deprives food of natural nutrition.

Relaxations and better well-being
Some consider inositol to be the best substance with sleeping and relaxing properties that eliminates tensions and anxiety. The researchers indicate that inositol brings a balance between copper and zinc in brain cells which is of great importance for the nervous system. The excess of copper in brain cells may cause annoyance, neurosis, aggression or even psychical disorders. The presence of inositol reduces the copper excess and zinc compensates adverse impact and brings relaxation.

Activation of neurotransmitters
Similar to choline, the substance takes part in nerve impulses transmission and regulates the action of some enzymes. In the cells, the inositol molecules are transformed into its phosphates – active salts of phosphoric acid – which stimulate calcium ions and activate neurotransmitters. Their actions depend on the organ in which they occur. They are stimulated to act thanks to the impact of inositol on nervous tissue transformation.

Inositol and cholesterol
Together with choline, inositol (as a part of lecithin) takes part in cholesterol transformation and it protects the body from atherosclerosis. It takes part in production, transportation and action of fats.

Positive influence on high level of glucose in bloodstream
The absorption of inositol by diabetics is quite specific. The high glucose level in bloodstream inhibits the inositol absorption in brain and nerve cells. This is the reason for inositol deficiency in muscles as well as for motor and nerve disruptions. The inositol itself may be useful in treatment of nerve disorders which accompany diabetes.

Infertility treatment
The compound also takes part in semen production (100 g of semen contains 53 mg of inositol). It is supposed that the lack of inositol may result in infertility.

Alopecia prevention
Inositol takes part in the development of cells in bone marrow. It causes that our hair grows. Sometimes, it is used to prevent alopecia (but it cannot prevent alopecia when it is derived genetically).

Reduction of high blood pressure
Inositol reduces the high blood pressure caused by stress. The presence of inositol may be also observed in healthy eye lenses, eye fundus and tears. It raises the prospect that its lack may cause ophthalmic diseases. Its metabolism is changed by chronic kidney disease and multiple sclerosis. However, the rate increase brings no effect in both cases.

Inositol is sensible to caffeine, which is contained in coffee. That is why, its deficiency may occur among people who drink 2–4 cups of coffee a day.

To sum it all up, the dietary supplement Now Foods Choline & Inositol contains this two brain nutritional substances which cooperate in the body system for better promotion of cognition and for better health of brain cells. Choline and inositol are main components of all cell membranes and they are essential for psychical processes that are related to memory and learning. They are responsible for good mood and energy.