Nutrition & DietLow Brain Choline Linked to Anxiety Disorders in Landmark Meta-Analysis
A meta-analysis from UC Davis Health found that people with anxiety disorders have about 8% lower choline levels in the brain compared to those without anxiety. The pattern was strongest in the prefrontal cortex, the region governing emotional control and decision-making. Choline is an essential nutrient found in eggs, meat, and fish that most Americans don't consume in adequate amounts. The study, published in Molecular Psychiatry, analyzed data from 25 prior studies involving over 700 participants. Researchers say this is the first meta-analysis to identify a consistent brain chemistry signature across multiple anxiety diagnoses, and it raises the possibility that targeted choline supplementation could one day support anxiety treatment alongside conventional therapies.
