Should I take a choline supplement?
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6 peer-reviewed research articles
2 professionally-backed sources
Should you take a choline supplement during pregnancy?
Choline is an essential nutrient for pregnancy, supporting your baby’s brain development and helping to prevent certain birth defects. Most pregnant people in the U.S. do not get enough choline from diet alone, and many prenatal vitamins contain little or none. Supplementing with choline can help fill this gap, but whether you need a supplement depends on your diet and your current prenatal vitamin.
Why choline matters in pregnancy
Choline supports baby’s brain and neural tube development
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Choline is crucial for fetal brain development, neural tube formation, and healthy liver function.
1ArticleCholine Supplementation in Pregnancy: Current Evidence and Implications - PMCCholine, an essential nutrient, is pivotal in supporting maternal and fetal health during pregnancy. In this comprehensive review, we explore the current evidence and the implications of choline supplementation in pregnancy. Choline is indispensable for neural tube formation, brain development, and the overall well-being of expectant mothers, rendering it a cornerstone of prenatal care.→
PubMed Central
2ArticleCholine—An Underappreciated Component of a Mother-to-Be’s Diet | MDPIBenefits include support for nervous system development, improved cognitive function, and protection against abnormal metabolic and neural processes, especially when the fetus is exposed to alcohol.→mdpi.com
3ArticleCholine in Pregnancy and Lactation: Essential Knowledge for Clinical PracticeResults: Meta-analysis and review ... roles for choline in relation to neurological development, brain and liver function, reduced neural tube defect risk, and adverse pregnancy outcome risk....→4ArticleTable 13, Summary of Recommendations in Included Guidelines – For Pregnant People - Choline Supplementation for Infants, Children, and Pregnant People - NCBI BookshelfPrenatal choline supplementation during mouse pregnancy has differential effects in alcohol-exposed fetal organs.[Alcohol Clin Exp Res.→National Center for Biotechnology Information
5ArticleCholine During Pregnancy and Lactation | InfantRisk CenterHow choline gets partitioned into ... influenced several pregnancy outcomes including improvements of neonatal stress reactivity, faster information processing speed among infants, and better memory in children.3...→infantrisk.com
6ArticleCholine: Exploring the Growing Science on Its Benefits for Moms and Babies - PMCStudies in animals and humans have shown that supplementing the maternal diet with additional choline improves several pregnancy outcomes and protects against certain neural and metabolic insults. Most pregnant women in the U.S. are not achieving choline intake recommendations of 450 mg/day and would likely benefit from boosting their choline intakes through dietary and/or supplemental approaches.→ -
Getting enough choline during pregnancy may help reduce the risk of neural tube defects and support long-term cognitive development in your child.
1ArticleCholine Supplementation in Pregnancy: Current Evidence and Implications - PMCCholine, an essential nutrient, is pivotal in supporting maternal and fetal health during pregnancy. In this comprehensive review, we explore the current evidence and the implications of choline supplementation in pregnancy. Choline is indispensable for neural tube formation, brain development, and the overall well-being of expectant mothers, rendering it a cornerstone of prenatal care.→2ArticleCholine—An Underappreciated Component of a Mother-to-Be’s Diet | MDPIBenefits include support for nervous system development, improved cognitive function, and protection against abnormal metabolic and neural processes, especially when the fetus is exposed to alcohol.→3ArticleCholine in Pregnancy and Lactation: Essential Knowledge for Clinical PracticeResults: Meta-analysis and review ... roles for choline in relation to neurological development, brain and liver function, reduced neural tube defect risk, and adverse pregnancy outcome risk....→4ArticleTable 13, Summary of Recommendations in Included Guidelines – For Pregnant People - Choline Supplementation for Infants, Children, and Pregnant People - NCBI BookshelfPrenatal choline supplementation during mouse pregnancy has differential effects in alcohol-exposed fetal organs.[Alcohol Clin Exp Res.→5ArticleCholine During Pregnancy and Lactation | InfantRisk CenterHow choline gets partitioned into ... influenced several pregnancy outcomes including improvements of neonatal stress reactivity, faster information processing speed among infants, and better memory in children.3...→6ArticleCholine: Exploring the Growing Science on Its Benefits for Moms and Babies - PMCStudies in animals and humans have shown that supplementing the maternal diet with additional choline improves several pregnancy outcomes and protects against certain neural and metabolic insults. Most pregnant women in the U.S. are not achieving choline intake recommendations of 450 mg/day and would likely benefit from boosting their choline intakes through dietary and/or supplemental approaches.→
How much choline do you need?
Most guidelines recommend 450 mg per day during pregnancy
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The recommended daily intake for pregnant people is 450 mg of choline.
1ArticleCholine Supplementation in Pregnancy: Current Evidence and Implications - PMCCholine, an essential nutrient, is pivotal in supporting maternal and fetal health during pregnancy. In this comprehensive review, we explore the current evidence and the implications of choline supplementation in pregnancy. Choline is indispensable for neural tube formation, brain development, and the overall well-being of expectant mothers, rendering it a cornerstone of prenatal care.→2ArticleCholine—An Underappreciated Component of a Mother-to-Be’s Diet | MDPIBenefits include support for nervous system development, improved cognitive function, and protection against abnormal metabolic and neural processes, especially when the fetus is exposed to alcohol.→4ArticleTable 13, Summary of Recommendations in Included Guidelines – For Pregnant People - Choline Supplementation for Infants, Children, and Pregnant People - NCBI BookshelfPrenatal choline supplementation during mouse pregnancy has differential effects in alcohol-exposed fetal organs.[Alcohol Clin Exp Res.→5ArticleCholine During Pregnancy and Lactation | InfantRisk CenterHow choline gets partitioned into ... influenced several pregnancy outcomes including improvements of neonatal stress reactivity, faster information processing speed among infants, and better memory in children.3...→6ArticleCholine: Exploring the Growing Science on Its Benefits for Moms and Babies - PMCStudies in animals and humans have shown that supplementing the maternal diet with additional choline improves several pregnancy outcomes and protects against certain neural and metabolic insults. Most pregnant women in the U.S. are not achieving choline intake recommendations of 450 mg/day and would likely benefit from boosting their choline intakes through dietary and/or supplemental approaches.→7ArticleMaternal choline supplementation during the third trimester of pregnancy improves infant information processing speed: a randomized, double-blind, controlled feeding study - PMCRodent studies demonstrate that supplementing the maternal diet with choline during pregnancy produces life-long cognitive benefits for the offspring. In contrast, the two experimental studies examining cognitive effects of maternal choline ...→
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During breastfeeding, the recommendation increases to 550 mg per day.
5ArticleCholine During Pregnancy and Lactation | InfantRisk CenterHow choline gets partitioned into ... influenced several pregnancy outcomes including improvements of neonatal stress reactivity, faster information processing speed among infants, and better memory in children.3...→7ArticleMaternal choline supplementation during the third trimester of pregnancy improves infant information processing speed: a randomized, double-blind, controlled feeding study - PMCRodent studies demonstrate that supplementing the maternal diet with choline during pregnancy produces life-long cognitive benefits for the offspring. In contrast, the two experimental studies examining cognitive effects of maternal choline ...→
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Most pregnant people in the U.S. get less than this amount from food, with average intakes around 300 mg per day.
4ArticleTable 13, Summary of Recommendations in Included Guidelines – For Pregnant People - Choline Supplementation for Infants, Children, and Pregnant People - NCBI BookshelfPrenatal choline supplementation during mouse pregnancy has differential effects in alcohol-exposed fetal organs.[Alcohol Clin Exp Res.→5ArticleCholine During Pregnancy and Lactation | InfantRisk CenterHow choline gets partitioned into ... influenced several pregnancy outcomes including improvements of neonatal stress reactivity, faster information processing speed among infants, and better memory in children.3...→7ArticleMaternal choline supplementation during the third trimester of pregnancy improves infant information processing speed: a randomized, double-blind, controlled feeding study - PMCRodent studies demonstrate that supplementing the maternal diet with choline during pregnancy produces life-long cognitive benefits for the offspring. In contrast, the two experimental studies examining cognitive effects of maternal choline ...→8ArticleHealthy Eating During Pregnancy | ACOG... Choline plays a role in your fetus’s brain development. It may also help prevent some common birth defects. Experts recommend that you get 450 mg of choline each day during pregnancy.→
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Can you get enough choline from food?
Animal foods are the richest sources, but many diets fall short
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Eggs, meat, fish, and dairy are high in choline. Plant-based sources include beans, nuts, and some vegetables, but these generally contain less.
1ArticleCholine Supplementation in Pregnancy: Current Evidence and Implications - PMCCholine, an essential nutrient, is pivotal in supporting maternal and fetal health during pregnancy. In this comprehensive review, we explore the current evidence and the implications of choline supplementation in pregnancy. Choline is indispensable for neural tube formation, brain development, and the overall well-being of expectant mothers, rendering it a cornerstone of prenatal care.→2ArticleCholine—An Underappreciated Component of a Mother-to-Be’s Diet | MDPIBenefits include support for nervous system development, improved cognitive function, and protection against abnormal metabolic and neural processes, especially when the fetus is exposed to alcohol.→4ArticleTable 13, Summary of Recommendations in Included Guidelines – For Pregnant People - Choline Supplementation for Infants, Children, and Pregnant People - NCBI BookshelfPrenatal choline supplementation during mouse pregnancy has differential effects in alcohol-exposed fetal organs.[Alcohol Clin Exp Res.→5ArticleCholine During Pregnancy and Lactation | InfantRisk CenterHow choline gets partitioned into ... influenced several pregnancy outcomes including improvements of neonatal stress reactivity, faster information processing speed among infants, and better memory in children.3...→6ArticleCholine: Exploring the Growing Science on Its Benefits for Moms and Babies - PMCStudies in animals and humans have shown that supplementing the maternal diet with additional choline improves several pregnancy outcomes and protects against certain neural and metabolic insults. Most pregnant women in the U.S. are not achieving choline intake recommendations of 450 mg/day and would likely benefit from boosting their choline intakes through dietary and/or supplemental approaches.→
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People who avoid eggs and animal products are at higher risk of not meeting choline needs.
1ArticleCholine Supplementation in Pregnancy: Current Evidence and Implications - PMCCholine, an essential nutrient, is pivotal in supporting maternal and fetal health during pregnancy. In this comprehensive review, we explore the current evidence and the implications of choline supplementation in pregnancy. Choline is indispensable for neural tube formation, brain development, and the overall well-being of expectant mothers, rendering it a cornerstone of prenatal care.→4ArticleTable 13, Summary of Recommendations in Included Guidelines – For Pregnant People - Choline Supplementation for Infants, Children, and Pregnant People - NCBI BookshelfPrenatal choline supplementation during mouse pregnancy has differential effects in alcohol-exposed fetal organs.[Alcohol Clin Exp Res.→5ArticleCholine During Pregnancy and Lactation | InfantRisk CenterHow choline gets partitioned into ... influenced several pregnancy outcomes including improvements of neonatal stress reactivity, faster information processing speed among infants, and better memory in children.3...→8ArticleHealthy Eating During Pregnancy | ACOG... Choline plays a role in your fetus’s brain development. It may also help prevent some common birth defects. Experts recommend that you get 450 mg of choline each day during pregnancy.→
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Even with a balanced diet, it can be challenging to consistently reach 450 mg per day without careful planning.
2ArticleCholine—An Underappreciated Component of a Mother-to-Be’s Diet | MDPIBenefits include support for nervous system development, improved cognitive function, and protection against abnormal metabolic and neural processes, especially when the fetus is exposed to alcohol.→4ArticleTable 13, Summary of Recommendations in Included Guidelines – For Pregnant People - Choline Supplementation for Infants, Children, and Pregnant People - NCBI BookshelfPrenatal choline supplementation during mouse pregnancy has differential effects in alcohol-exposed fetal organs.[Alcohol Clin Exp Res.→5ArticleCholine During Pregnancy and Lactation | InfantRisk CenterHow choline gets partitioned into ... influenced several pregnancy outcomes including improvements of neonatal stress reactivity, faster information processing speed among infants, and better memory in children.3...→7ArticleMaternal choline supplementation during the third trimester of pregnancy improves infant information processing speed: a randomized, double-blind, controlled feeding study - PMCRodent studies demonstrate that supplementing the maternal diet with choline during pregnancy produces life-long cognitive benefits for the offspring. In contrast, the two experimental studies examining cognitive effects of maternal choline ...→8ArticleHealthy Eating During Pregnancy | ACOG... Choline plays a role in your fetus’s brain development. It may also help prevent some common birth defects. Experts recommend that you get 450 mg of choline each day during pregnancy.→
Do prenatal vitamins contain enough choline?
Most do not provide the recommended amount
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Many prenatal vitamins contain little or no choline, and those that do often provide only a small fraction of the recommended daily amount.
4ArticleTable 13, Summary of Recommendations in Included Guidelines – For Pregnant People - Choline Supplementation for Infants, Children, and Pregnant People - NCBI BookshelfPrenatal choline supplementation during mouse pregnancy has differential effects in alcohol-exposed fetal organs.[Alcohol Clin Exp Res.→7ArticleMaternal choline supplementation during the third trimester of pregnancy improves infant information processing speed: a randomized, double-blind, controlled feeding study - PMCRodent studies demonstrate that supplementing the maternal diet with choline during pregnancy produces life-long cognitive benefits for the offspring. In contrast, the two experimental studies examining cognitive effects of maternal choline ...→8ArticleHealthy Eating During Pregnancy | ACOG... Choline plays a role in your fetus’s brain development. It may also help prevent some common birth defects. Experts recommend that you get 450 mg of choline each day during pregnancy.→
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Checking your prenatal vitamin’s label can help you determine if you need an additional supplement.
7ArticleMaternal choline supplementation during the third trimester of pregnancy improves infant information processing speed: a randomized, double-blind, controlled feeding study - PMCRodent studies demonstrate that supplementing the maternal diet with choline during pregnancy produces life-long cognitive benefits for the offspring. In contrast, the two experimental studies examining cognitive effects of maternal choline ...→8ArticleHealthy Eating During Pregnancy | ACOG... Choline plays a role in your fetus’s brain development. It may also help prevent some common birth defects. Experts recommend that you get 450 mg of choline each day during pregnancy.→
Is choline supplementation safe and effective?
Supplements are generally safe and can help meet needs
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Choline supplements are considered safe when taken at recommended doses.
1ArticleCholine Supplementation in Pregnancy: Current Evidence and Implications - PMCCholine, an essential nutrient, is pivotal in supporting maternal and fetal health during pregnancy. In this comprehensive review, we explore the current evidence and the implications of choline supplementation in pregnancy. Choline is indispensable for neural tube formation, brain development, and the overall well-being of expectant mothers, rendering it a cornerstone of prenatal care.→4ArticleTable 13, Summary of Recommendations in Included Guidelines – For Pregnant People - Choline Supplementation for Infants, Children, and Pregnant People - NCBI BookshelfPrenatal choline supplementation during mouse pregnancy has differential effects in alcohol-exposed fetal organs.[Alcohol Clin Exp Res.→5ArticleCholine During Pregnancy and Lactation | InfantRisk CenterHow choline gets partitioned into ... influenced several pregnancy outcomes including improvements of neonatal stress reactivity, faster information processing speed among infants, and better memory in children.3...→
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Research suggests that supplementing with choline during pregnancy can improve certain aspects of infant brain development and information processing.
1ArticleCholine Supplementation in Pregnancy: Current Evidence and Implications - PMCCholine, an essential nutrient, is pivotal in supporting maternal and fetal health during pregnancy. In this comprehensive review, we explore the current evidence and the implications of choline supplementation in pregnancy. Choline is indispensable for neural tube formation, brain development, and the overall well-being of expectant mothers, rendering it a cornerstone of prenatal care.→2ArticleCholine—An Underappreciated Component of a Mother-to-Be’s Diet | MDPIBenefits include support for nervous system development, improved cognitive function, and protection against abnormal metabolic and neural processes, especially when the fetus is exposed to alcohol.→3ArticleCholine in Pregnancy and Lactation: Essential Knowledge for Clinical PracticeResults: Meta-analysis and review ... roles for choline in relation to neurological development, brain and liver function, reduced neural tube defect risk, and adverse pregnancy outcome risk....→4ArticleTable 13, Summary of Recommendations in Included Guidelines – For Pregnant People - Choline Supplementation for Infants, Children, and Pregnant People - NCBI BookshelfPrenatal choline supplementation during mouse pregnancy has differential effects in alcohol-exposed fetal organs.[Alcohol Clin Exp Res.→5ArticleCholine During Pregnancy and Lactation | InfantRisk CenterHow choline gets partitioned into ... influenced several pregnancy outcomes including improvements of neonatal stress reactivity, faster information processing speed among infants, and better memory in children.3...→
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There is no evidence of harm from taking choline at recommended levels, but very high doses can cause side effects like gastrointestinal upset or a fishy body odor.
1ArticleCholine Supplementation in Pregnancy: Current Evidence and Implications - PMCCholine, an essential nutrient, is pivotal in supporting maternal and fetal health during pregnancy. In this comprehensive review, we explore the current evidence and the implications of choline supplementation in pregnancy. Choline is indispensable for neural tube formation, brain development, and the overall well-being of expectant mothers, rendering it a cornerstone of prenatal care.→4ArticleTable 13, Summary of Recommendations in Included Guidelines – For Pregnant People - Choline Supplementation for Infants, Children, and Pregnant People - NCBI BookshelfPrenatal choline supplementation during mouse pregnancy has differential effects in alcohol-exposed fetal organs.[Alcohol Clin Exp Res.→
What should you consider when deciding about a supplement?
Assess your diet, your prenatal vitamin, and talk to your provider
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If your diet is low in choline-rich foods or your prenatal vitamin does not contain enough choline, a supplement may help you meet your needs.
1ArticleCholine Supplementation in Pregnancy: Current Evidence and Implications - PMCCholine, an essential nutrient, is pivotal in supporting maternal and fetal health during pregnancy. In this comprehensive review, we explore the current evidence and the implications of choline supplementation in pregnancy. Choline is indispensable for neural tube formation, brain development, and the overall well-being of expectant mothers, rendering it a cornerstone of prenatal care.→2ArticleCholine—An Underappreciated Component of a Mother-to-Be’s Diet | MDPIBenefits include support for nervous system development, improved cognitive function, and protection against abnormal metabolic and neural processes, especially when the fetus is exposed to alcohol.→4ArticleTable 13, Summary of Recommendations in Included Guidelines – For Pregnant People - Choline Supplementation for Infants, Children, and Pregnant People - NCBI BookshelfPrenatal choline supplementation during mouse pregnancy has differential effects in alcohol-exposed fetal organs.[Alcohol Clin Exp Res.→5ArticleCholine During Pregnancy and Lactation | InfantRisk CenterHow choline gets partitioned into ... influenced several pregnancy outcomes including improvements of neonatal stress reactivity, faster information processing speed among infants, and better memory in children.3...→7ArticleMaternal choline supplementation during the third trimester of pregnancy improves infant information processing speed: a randomized, double-blind, controlled feeding study - PMCRodent studies demonstrate that supplementing the maternal diet with choline during pregnancy produces life-long cognitive benefits for the offspring. In contrast, the two experimental studies examining cognitive effects of maternal choline ...→8ArticleHealthy Eating During Pregnancy | ACOG... Choline plays a role in your fetus’s brain development. It may also help prevent some common birth defects. Experts recommend that you get 450 mg of choline each day during pregnancy.→
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It might be beneficial to discuss your diet and supplement options with your OB/GYN or a registered dietitian, who can help you make a plan that fits your needs and preferences.
1ArticleCholine Supplementation in Pregnancy: Current Evidence and Implications - PMCCholine, an essential nutrient, is pivotal in supporting maternal and fetal health during pregnancy. In this comprehensive review, we explore the current evidence and the implications of choline supplementation in pregnancy. Choline is indispensable for neural tube formation, brain development, and the overall well-being of expectant mothers, rendering it a cornerstone of prenatal care.→4ArticleTable 13, Summary of Recommendations in Included Guidelines – For Pregnant People - Choline Supplementation for Infants, Children, and Pregnant People - NCBI BookshelfPrenatal choline supplementation during mouse pregnancy has differential effects in alcohol-exposed fetal organs.[Alcohol Clin Exp Res.→6ArticleCholine: Exploring the Growing Science on Its Benefits for Moms and Babies - PMCStudies in animals and humans have shown that supplementing the maternal diet with additional choline improves several pregnancy outcomes and protects against certain neural and metabolic insults. Most pregnant women in the U.S. are not achieving choline intake recommendations of 450 mg/day and would likely benefit from boosting their choline intakes through dietary and/or supplemental approaches.→7ArticleMaternal choline supplementation during the third trimester of pregnancy improves infant information processing speed: a randomized, double-blind, controlled feeding study - PMCRodent studies demonstrate that supplementing the maternal diet with choline during pregnancy produces life-long cognitive benefits for the offspring. In contrast, the two experimental studies examining cognitive effects of maternal choline ...→
Making an informed choice about choline supplements
Choline is essential for a healthy pregnancy, but most people do not get enough from food or standard prenatal vitamins. Supplementing with choline is safe and may offer benefits for your baby’s brain development, especially if your diet is low in choline-rich foods. Checking your prenatal vitamin label and discussing your diet with your healthcare provider can help you decide if a choline supplement is right for you. If you choose to supplement, aim for a total daily intake (from food and supplements) of around 450 mg during pregnancy.
1
Article
Choline Supplementation in Pregnancy: Current Evidence and Implications - PMC
Choline, an essential nutrient, is pivotal in supporting maternal and fetal health during pregnancy. In this comprehensive review, we explore the current evidence and the implications of choline supplementation in pregnancy. Choline is indispensable for neural tube formation, brain development, and the overall well-being of expectant mothers, rendering it a cornerstone of prenatal care.
2
Article
Choline—An Underappreciated Component of a Mother-to-Be’s Diet | MDPI
Benefits include support for nervous system development, improved cognitive function, and protection against abnormal metabolic and neural processes, especially when the fetus is exposed to alcohol.
4
Article
Table 13, Summary of Recommendations in Included Guidelines – For Pregnant People - Choline Supplementation for Infants, Children, and Pregnant People - NCBI Bookshelf
Prenatal choline supplementation during mouse pregnancy has differential effects in alcohol-exposed fetal organs.[Alcohol Clin Exp Res.
5
Article
Choline During Pregnancy and Lactation | InfantRisk Center
How choline gets partitioned into ... influenced several pregnancy outcomes including improvements of neonatal stress reactivity, faster information processing speed among infants, and better memory in children.3...
6
Article
Choline: Exploring the Growing Science on Its Benefits for Moms and Babies - PMC
Studies in animals and humans have shown that supplementing the maternal diet with additional choline improves several pregnancy outcomes and protects against certain neural and metabolic insults. Most pregnant women in the U.S. are not achieving choline intake recommendations of 450 mg/day and would likely benefit from boosting their choline intakes through dietary and/or supplemental approaches.
7
Article
Maternal choline supplementation during the third trimester of pregnancy improves infant information processing speed: a randomized, double-blind, controlled feeding study - PMC
Rodent studies demonstrate that supplementing the maternal diet with choline during pregnancy produces life-long cognitive benefits for the offspring. In contrast, the two experimental studies examining cognitive effects of maternal choline ...
8
Article
Healthy Eating During Pregnancy | ACOG
... Choline plays a role in your fetus’s brain development. It may also help prevent some common birth defects. Experts recommend that you get 450 mg of choline each day during pregnancy.