Citicoline (CDP-choline) – how does it support vision and cognitive function?

Nootropic compounds, known for their health-promoting effects on the human body, contribute to a noticeable improvement in cognitive function and overall health. One of them is citicoline, which has been recognized worldwide for decades as an effective aid in the prevention of eye diseases, especially glaucoma. What processes does citicoline supplementation support? Is it safe, and how can it be used?

Citicoline – what is it?

Citicoline is short for cytidine diphosphate choline (CDP-choline). It is an endogenous chemical compound, meaning it is naturally produced by the human body. It is also a nootropic compound, i.e., one that supports cognitive brain functions (especially attention and memory).

The compound also occurs naturally (albeit in small doses) in certain foods, such as egg yolks, fish meat, legumes, and some nuts. Citicoline is linked to the action of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in basic cognitive processes.

Citicoline increases acetylcholine levels by increasing the level of synthesized choline. It also restores the proper level of phospholipids, which are responsible for protecting the brain from damage and oxidative stress.

Cyticoline – an effective dietary supplement?

CDP-choline, or cyticoline, is one of the most popular supplements in Poland, based on mimicking the functioning of choline. Supplements containing cyticoline are known to be extremely effective and safe.

Available in tablet and capsule form, citicoline can improve overall cognitive function and brain health by maintaining adequate levels of neurotransmitters that are important for brain function. Citicoline itself can also be used to improve many mental processes related to memory, learning, concentration, and logical reasoning.

The nootropic effects of citicoline have become popular among young people, those in intellectual professions, and older people who have suffered a stroke and associated cognitive decline.

What does citicoline help with? – how the substance works

Citicoline is used to treat various ailments and diseases related to brain function. It is also used in prevention, i.e., counteracting the occurrence of a number of mental problems. Citicoline acts, among other things, on:

• Increased neuroprotective properties – one of the mechanisms of citicoline is to increase the level of the enzyme sirtuin-1, which regulates metabolic balance and neuron aging. It may also have a neuroprotective effect and have a beneficial effect on improving cognitive function;
• Increases dopamine and norepinephrine levels – the compound affects the levels of neurotransmitters in the synapses of the central nervous system. In addition to dopamine and norepinephrine, citicoline increases serotonin levels, enabling the proper synthesis of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is key to memory and concentration;
• It stimulates the repair and regeneration of damaged neuron cell membranes – Cyticoline is an intermediate product in the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, which is a component of neuron cell membranes;
• It affects age-related memory problems – studies indicate that taking citicoline may help alleviate the symptoms of memory loss in people aged 50 to 85;
• Prevention of cerebrovascular disease – there is a body of scientific evidence suggesting that taking citicoline in supplement form can improve memory and cognitive processes in patients with cerebrovascular disease, as well as those who have suffered a stroke.
• Improves the condition of patients with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia – Citicoline improves the processing of information from the environment in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.

Cyticoline for the eyes – can it be trusted?

In addition to the above uses of cyticoline, this compound also supports one of the most important human senses, sight. As it turns out, recent scientific studies suggest that cyticoline improves vision in people struggling with visual impairment.

What's more, citicoline seems to improve the condition of people suffering from glaucoma. Due to its numerous anabolic functions in the body, this compound is converted into a wide range of substances. The molecule contributes to improving the field of vision and, thus, the quality of life of the patient.

Indeed, the molecule known as citicoline has been recognized in ophthalmology as an extraordinary aid in improving the vision of millions of people around the world. It appears that citicoline's neuroprotective and eye neuron-stimulating effects are responsible for this condition.

Cyticoline for memory – is it helpful?

Most people do not get enough choline from their diet. Citicoline can eliminate this deficiency because it is a source of synthesized choline for the body. Choline itself is an extremely important nutrient that influences the formation of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.

Citicoline is interesting here mainly because it affects cognitive processes much more favorably than the same amount of pure, synthetically secreted choline. The reason for this is the better bioavailability of citicoline. Since it is chemically much closer to acetylcholine, it is also absorbed into the blood more quickly. For this reason, it easily crosses the blood-brain barrier, acting directly on the site.

It is believed that high levels of acetylcholine increase the speed of memory formation and synaptic plasticity in the brain, thereby determining better and more accurate knowledge acquisition. When taking citicoline-based supplements, many users also reported a significant improvement in overall information processing. This is probably also due to improved blood circulation, which increases glucose metabolism and oxygen uptake.

Cyticoline – how long to use?

As a supplement, cyticoline is still poorly understood, although it is true that it can help improve brain health and function by increasing the levels of important neurotransmitters that affect brain energy growth and protect it from damage.

Cyticoline can be used for any length of time, as no negative effects of long-term use of the compound have been reported. The recommended dosage of cyticoline is as follows:

• 250 to 500 mg – 1 to 2 times a day, do not exceed 1000 mg per day.

The compound is water-soluble. It is recommended to take citicoline with food to avoid potential gastrointestinal problems.

Citicoline and side effects – are they dangerous?

This molecule is very well tolerated by the vast majority of the population. Citicoline has almost zero toxicity because it is converted into a compound naturally present in the body, choline. It is also not hepatotoxic, so it does not adversely affect liver health. However, in some people it can cause gastrointestinal problems. These include:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea

Side effects are likely to occur in situations of potential overdose, i.e., doses above 1000-2000 mg per day. Be aware of the potential side effects of citicoline when taken with other medications and supplements. For this reason, be sure to consult your doctor before using citicoline with other medicinal products.

Bibliography

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“Citicoline improves memory performance in elderly subjects” – X. A. Alvarez et al., scientific journal Methods and findings in experimental and clinical pharmacology, Thomson Reuter, 1997.

“The Effect of Citicoline Supplementation on Motor Speed and Attention in Adolescent Males” – E. McGlade et al., scientific journal Journal of attention disorders, SAGE, 2019.

“The relation of dietary choline to cognitive performance and white-matter hyperintensity in the Framingham Offspring Cohort” – C. Poly et al., scientific journal The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Elsevier, 2011.

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“Citicoline Improves Human Vigilance and Visual Working Memory: The Role of Neuronal Activation and Oxidative Stress” – H. M. Al-Kuraishy, A. I. Al-Gareeb, scientific journal Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Iran University of Medical Sciences, 2020.

“Citicoline and Memory Function in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial” – E. Nakazaki et al., The Journal of Nutrition, Elsevier, 2021.