Scientists trace anxiety to low levels of this common brain nutrient that may affect mood and stress

Scientists are examining choline and anxiety disorders to better understand why millions of Americans struggle with constant stress and worry.

New findings from UC Davis Health suggest that a brain nutrient linked to anxiety may play a role in how people manage emotions and handle everyday tension.

Researchers found that people with anxiety often have low choline levels in the brain, affecting the parts responsible for thinking clearly and staying calm.

According to Richard Maddock, a medical doctor and research professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, Davis, “Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting about 30% of adults. They can be debilitating for people, and many people do not receive adequate treatment.”

UC Davis study looks closely at choline and anxiety disorders

To investigate the connection, researchers at UC Davis Health analyzed data from 25 prior studies.

They compared 370 individuals diagnosed with anxiety disorders to 342 people without anxiety.

Using a non-invasive MRI technique, the team measured choline levels in brain regions involved in emotion regulation and cognitive processing.

Across the combined studies, people with anxiety had about 8% lower choline in these brain regions, The Post noted.

Maddock emphasized the importance of this difference, noting, “An 8% lower amount doesn’t sound like that much, but in the brain, it’s significant.”

Experts said these findings do not prove that low choline causes anxiety. Instead, they propose a consistent pattern that could guide future research into the relationship between nutrition and mental health.

How choline supports brain health

Choline is an “essential” nutrient, meaning the body produces only a small amount, and most must come from food.

According to experts at the UC Davis Imaging Research Center, choline helps cells stay strong and enables the brain to communicate efficiently.

Choline-rich foods include eggs (especially the yolk), beef, beef liver, chicken, fish, soybeans, and milk.

Maddock also highlighted that certain fish, like salmon, contain omega-3 fats, which help deliver choline to the brain.

Despite these sources, most Americans, including children, fail to meet the recommended daily amount.

Researchers believe that low choline levels in the brain may contribute to difficulties in managing stress, as choline is essential for maintaining mood and memory functions.

When the brain lacks choline, areas like the prefrontal cortex may struggle to regulate emotions. In contrast, the amygdala—the brain’s fear center—can become overactive.

Stress can lower choline and worsen anxiety disorders

UC Davis Health researchers think that chronic stress in people with anxiety may increase the brain’s demand for choline.

During heightened stress, the brain activates “fight-or-flight” responses, using more energy and chemicals.

This may gradually lower choline levels in regions that help manage stress and reduce threat responses.

Potential treatments and nutritional approaches

The study’s co-author, Jason Smucny Ph.D., noted that the findings suggest potential ways to support brain health.

He said, “It suggests nutritional approaches — like appropriate choline supplementation — may help restore brain chemistry and improve outcomes for patients.”

However, Maddock cautioned that more research is needed. He warned that people should not self-medicate with large choline doses, as excessive intake can cause side effects.

He also emphasized that it is unclear if simply increasing choline can reduce anxiety symptoms.

Expert perspectives on anxiety and brain nutrients

Other specialists who were not part of the study weighed in. Nona Kocher, a board-certified psychiatrist in Miami Beach, confirmed that the 8% drop in choline is significant.

She stated that high-stress levels in the brain are associated with feeling easily overwhelmed, being less resilient under pressure, and experiencing mental fatigue earlier in the day.

Kocher also explained that low choline may be a consequence of stress rather than the cause of anxiety.

Nutrition expert Lauren Manaker, a registered dietitian in South Carolina, added that anxiety is complex and influenced by many factors.

She noted, “One big misunderstanding is thinking that a nutrient deficiency is the main cause of anxiety.”

Manaker said anxiety usually involves a mix of genetics, life experiences, and brain chemistry.

Other essential nutrients, such as vitamin D and B12, are also crucial for maintaining brain health. While choline plays a role, it should be used in conjunction with, not as a replacement for, other treatments.

Looking ahead: Choline’s role in supporting brain health for anxiety disorders

The connection between choline and anxiety disorders provides a new avenue for research into brain health and mental wellness.

By understanding how low choline levels in the brain affect key brain regions, scientists may find better ways to support people living with generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and phobias.

For now, experts recommend focusing on diet as one piece of overall mental health care. Eating choline-rich foods, such as eggs, fish, and healthy meats, can support brain function and resilience under stress.

Maddock and Smucny continue to study the interaction between nutrition and brain chemistry to identify strategies that help people maintain calm, healthier minds.

By keeping this focus, research into brain nutrients linked to anxiety may eventually lead to approaches that help more people feel balanced and in control of their emotions every day.

Want to learn more about choline and anxiety disorders? Watch this video from Levelheaded Mind to see how choline may support mental health and emotional balance.