Definition
Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that carries the nerve message that needs to pass from one nerve cell to another in order to move.
The space between neurons is called a synapse.
This is where acetylcholine comes in.
It is stored in vesicles at the end of a nerve cell.
When the nerve message is transmitted, acetylcholine is released.
It travels to the next neuron at the synapse.
The acetylcholine then returns to the vesicles where it is stored.
Function
Acetylcholine is a well-known excitatory neurotransmitter that causes muscle contraction and stimulates the release of certain hormones.
So acetylcholine is involved every time you move your muscles, whether they are voluntary movements or involuntary movements such as heartbeats.
In the central nervous system, it is responsible for arousal, alertness, anger, aggression, sexuality and thirst.
Composition
Acetylcholine is made from choline, a phospholipid.
Choline itself can be obtained from the diet or from another compound, DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol).
DMAE is converted to choline by the action of methionine.
Choline is then converted to acetylcholine by an enzyme called acetylcholine transferase (ACT).
This enzyme is itself derived from vitamin B5 under the action of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC).
We can therefore improve our acetylcholine levels by optimising our intake of each of these substances, either through our diet or by taking dietary supplements.
Where can you find them?
DMAE
- Sardines
- Anchovies
- Egg
- Liver
- Wheat Germ
- Pork meat
- Cattle
- Soya Bean
- Prawn
- Cod
- Wheat Bran
- Wild Salmon
- Peanut Butter
- Oat Bran
- Pine Nuts
- Sugar Almonds
- Macadamia Nuts
- Artichokes
- Broccoli Flower
- Brussels Sprouts
- Cabbage
- Codfish
- Parmesan Cheese
- Wild Tuna
- Turkey
- Chicken meat
- Anchovies
- Pork
- Veal
- Brazil Nut
- Chocolate
- Liver
- Sunflower Seed
- Kidney
- Oat Bran
- Egg
Acetyl-L-carnitine
- Sheep
- Lamb
- Yeast
- Meat
- Poultry
- Dairy