Health Glossary - For Everyone

Acetylcholine
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What is acetylecholine?

Acetylcholine is a chemical neurotransmitter which is released by the nerves in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) as well as by nerves in the peripheral nervous system.

Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that allows nerves to communicate with each other and also with other cells of the cells of the body.

Acetylcholine is released from a nerve ending (terminal) through the gap (synaptic cleft) between two nerve cells and carries information across this gap to the other cell.

Acetlycholine is released from the ends of certain types of nerve cells when they are stimulated. It transmits a signal to an adjacent (target) nerve or muscle cell by binding to receptors on the target cell surface.

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Important acetylcholine facts



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Why acetylcholine is important

Low levels of acetylcholine in the brain and nerve cells can produce the following symptoms:

The symptoms above disappear once the body get adequate levels of acetylcholine (usually through the diet in the form of foods high in choline).

There is some evidence that when supplements of acetylcholine are used, energy, mood and brain function improve quite dramatically.

 

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Last reviewed: 14 January 2007 || Last updated: 21 August 2007

 

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More information

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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.

 

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