Acetylcholine is important for memory and learning and is a neurotransmitter used throughout the body.
Its uses are:
- Controls muscle contraction.
- Acetylcholine may be extremely important for long term memory.
- It determines your brain speed. If you have too little, your brain is going to slow down. The most extreme case of this is Alzheimer’s.
- Acetylcholine is like a lubricant for your brain and body.
Acetylcholine along with dopamine is the neurotransmitters that turn your brain on. They allow it to work hard and fast. A lack of either one can lead to memory and attention problems.
People with acetylcholine dominate natures are very sensory oriented. They are creative, innovative, and open to new ideas. Generally they are socially oriented. Acetylcholine natures enjoy activities involving words, ideas, and communication. Counselors, instructors, artists, writers, and actors are likely to have acetylcholine natures.
Acetylcholine deficiency can display as Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis, dementia, dry mouth, dry skin, reading/writing disorders, speech problems, slow movement, mood swings, learning disorders, verbal memory problems, memory lapses, attention problems, difficulty concentrating, carelessness, and decreased creativity. If you crave fatty foods or have perfectionist tendencies you may also benefit from more acetylcholine.
How to Increase Your Acetylcholine Levels
These can be tricky because the best foods for acetylcholine are fatty. Avoid fatty red meats if you can.
- Egg yolk
- Beef liver
- Chicken liver
- Whole Egg
- Turkey liver
- Wheat germ
- Lean ground beef
- Cod, salmon, or tilapia
- Shrimp
- Soy protein
- Peanut butter
- Oat bran
- Pine nuts
- Almonds
- Hazelnuts
- Macadamia nuts
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cucumber, zucchini, lettuce
- Skim milk
- Trimmed ham
- Low-fat cheese
- Low-fat yogurt
Supplements
Truthfully, the best way to increase your acetylcholine is through supplements. There are some fantastic supplements available. Take these 30 minutes before eating.
GPC choline
This is the best absorbed and most impressive form of choline to take. It is more expensive than phosphatidylcholine, but you absorb so much more of it and it is already in the form that exists in your cell membranes so it is well worth it. Take 500 mg to 2,000 mg daily broken up into 2 doses; one before breakfast and one before lunch.
Phosphatidylcholine
500 mg to 2,000 mg daily in three doses.
Phosphatidylserine
Take 500 mg to 2,000 mg daily broken up into three doses.
The following supplements help preserve acetylcholine in your brain and body:
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Take 1,000 mg to 3,000 mg daily divided into three doses. Combine it with R-Lipoic Acid.
R-Lipoic Acid R-Lipoic Acid
for powerful synergistic effects. Take 100 mg to 300 mg daily divided into three doses.
Manganese
This is a mineral that preserves acetylcholine. Take 1 mg to 5 mg daily.
