Mitocholine® is being developed as a novel food ingredient. Food fortification is one of the greatest success stories in the history of public health. In the same way that fluoridation of water revolutionized human dental health, we aspire for Mitocholine® to revolutionise our daily diet to support our cognitive and metabolic health.

Mitocholine® is novel composition of fixed ratio of three human essential human metabolites: Choline, Succinate and Nicotinamide, which, when taken orally, become available to the brain cells.

Mitocholine® is our breakthrough solution for fuelling the brain and supporting cognitive performance. It is uniquely formulated as functional nutritional product Disuccinate salt of Choline with addition of Nicotinamide. Mitocholine® addresses the high energy needs of the brain because it has a synergistic effect on both ATP and NADH generation and on phosphocreatine (pCr) level in the brain.

 

Although Mitocholine® represents a completely unique, patented and novel combination of the above bioactive ingredients there is a long history of human exposure to its key components.

 

Choline

Humans can produce small amounts of choline, however, most individuals must consume this nutrient through the diet to supplement the endogenously produced amount to prevent deficiency. In the body choline is a component of the key brain neurotransmitter acetylcholine as well as other brain and nervous tissues. Choline is also a dietary element that is vital for the structural integrity of cell membranes, transmembrane signalling, lipid and cholesterol transport, methyl metabolism. Choline availability modulates brain development in the foetus and infant, and in the adult is important for normal liver and muscle function (1). Loss of cholinergic neurones is associated with impaired cognitive function, memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease (2).

In the EU there are three authorised health claims for choline.

Succinate

Succinate is formed endogenously as a component of the Tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), the final common oxidative pathway for carbohydrates, fats and amino acids. The Scientific Committee on Foods (SCF) concluded for succinic acid in 1990.

“The anion occurs in nature and plays a role as an intermediate metabolite in the citric acid cycle”.

 

Succinic acid is therefore present in almost all plant and animal tissues. Succinic acid is approved for use in foods as a flavour enhancer and pH control agent (1).

In the US, succinic acid is permitted for addition to food as an ingredient Generally Recognised as Safe (GRAS) (2).
Succinate, is substrate for the cellular energy making machinery in mitochondria as well as a signalling molecule reflecting the cellular metabolic state (3).

Nicotinamide

Nicotinamide (NAM) is a soluble organic compound belonging to the group of B vitamins. Along with nicotinic acid, nicotinamide is often referred to by the generic name niacin which is found in a wide range of foods. In the EU there are six authorised choline health claims for niacin:

Niacin contributes to normal psychological function (1).

Niacin contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism (1).

Niacin contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system (1)

Niacin contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes (1).

Niacin contributes to the maintenance of normal skin (1).

Niacin contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue (1).

1. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:32012R0432

History:

NAD+ has long been associated with disease with symptoms of pellagra first described in the 1800, caused by malnutrition or by deficiency in vitamin B3, pellagra is characterised by three symptoms dermatitis, diarrhoea and DEMENTIA. Supplementation with NAD+ precursors successfully treated pellagra (10).

Modern anti-aging research is aimed at defining the key pathways to sustain high NAD+ turnover. The notion of using NAD+ precursors to boost NAD+ is now beginning to be translated into human studies, NAD+ precursors are being safe and naturally available and having potential to improve human health and longevity.