In the News: Less Brain Choline Linked with Anxiety Disorders

Less Brain Choline Linked with Anxiety Disorders

A meta-analysis of human observational studies affirmed people with anxiety disorders had lower levels of the nutrient choline in their brains compared with individuals without anxiety.*

The meta-analysis included 25 case-control studies that compared brain neurometabolites of 370 people with social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder with 342 individuals who were free of the disorders. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy measured total choline and other compounds.

Among those with anxiety disorders, choline was lower in the prefrontal cortex and in all brain cortical regions, compared to participants without anxiety. The difference in choline averaged 8%, which was significant.

Editor's Note: Choline is produced by the body, however only in insufficient quantities, so it must be supplemented with food and/or supplements.

* Mol Psychiatry. 2025 Dec;30(12):6020-6032.

Vitamin D and Curcumin Improve Psoriasis

Supplementation with vitamin D and curcumin may provide safe and beneficial adjunctive treatment for psoriasis, according to an article published in Clinical Nutrition.*

The meta-analysis included 21 randomized controlled trials involving 1,463 individuals with plaque psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune disease that causes thick, red, scaly patches on the skin.

Compared to those who received conventional therapy alone, supplementation with vitamin D led to a statistically significant reduction in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores, a system used to assess psoriasis severity.

When used in conjunction with narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB), a common type of phototherapy used to treat psoriasis, vitamin D consistently lowered IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23. These are pro-inflammatory cytokines that drive chronic inflammation in autoimmune conditions like psoriasis.

Curcumin supplementation was associated with reduced levels of IL-22, another cytokine implicated in chronic inflammatory diseases like psoriasis.

Editor's Note: Vitamin D and curcumin may provide complementary benefits when used alongside standard treatments to help calm inflammation and improve skin symptoms.

* Front Nutr. 2025 Dec 11:12:1718828.

Benefits of Combining Omega-3s with Resistance Training

Combining omega-3 supplements with resistance training resulted in enhanced physical benefits, improved metabolic parameters, and improved brain health, according to a study published in Nutrients.*  

In this randomized, controlled trial, 30 active young men did eight weeks of a resistance training program three days per week, with or without taking a daily omega-3 fatty acid supplement.

The omega-3 group experienced enhanced physical benefits compared to the exercise-only group, including improvements in strength, power, agility, and reactive strength. 

Additionally, the group taking omega-3s experienced multiple benefits compared to the control group, including: 8% decrease in LDL and 11% increase in HDL, 11% decrease in triglycerides, and 41%, 31%, and 27% decrease in C-reactive protein (marker of systemic inflammation), pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, and TNF-alpha, respectively.

The supplement used in this study provided 3,150 mg of omega-3 fatty acids consisting of 1,620 mg EPA + 1,170 mg DHA.

Editor's Note: The omega-3 group also showed improved brain health, including a 12% increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (a protein that supports new nerve connections) and 19% and 17% increases in dopamine and serotonin, key neurotransmitters involved in brain function.

* Nutrients. 2025 June 24;17(13):2088. 

Neurotransmitter Panel Tests Cognitive Health

Identifying the root cause of vague symptoms like anxiety, sleep disturbances, constipation, headaches, or brain fog can feel like a guessing game. But for many people, the answer can be found by testing their neurotransmitter levels. 

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that allow neurons to communicate with one another and with other cells throughout the body. They help regulate nearly every function in the brain and body, including mood, hormones, digestion, behavior, sleep, and even pain perception.^1,2

When neurotransmitters become imbalanced, it can lead to symptoms ranging from emotional effects, to headaches, memory problems, constipation, and more.¹  A simple urine test can provide an overall assessment of your body's ability to make and break down neurotransmitters. 

The Neurotransmitter Panel Urine Test (Comprehensive) measures levels of nine neurotransmitters. These include dopamine, serotonin, acetylcholine, epinephrine, glutamate, GABA, and more—plus taurine and several precursors and metabolites of many of the neurotransmitters. 

Editor's Note: This analysis provides important insight into current neurotransmitter levels, and may highlight patterns related to imbalance. These patterns can be considered when discussing options to support overall neurotransmitter balance with a healthcare professional.

* Nutrients. 2025 June 24;17(13):2088. 

References

1. Gasmi A, Nasreen A, Menzel A, et al. Neurotransmitters Regulation and Food Intake: The Role of Dietary Sources in Neurotransmission. Molecules. 2022;28(1). 
2. Yang X, Lou J, Shan W, et al. Pathophysiologic Role of Neurotransmitters in Digestive Diseases. Front Physiol. 2021;12:567650. 

To learn more about this at-home panel, visit www.LifeExtension.com/NEU