Ethanolamine (Plasma)

Ethanolamine is a metabolite of serine metabolism. Ethanolamine and phosphoethanolamine are precursors of the neurotransmitter acetycholine. The conversion of ethanolamine to phosphoethanolamine involves a magnesium dependent kinase. When ethanolamine is high or normal and phosphoethanolamine is low, there is a presumptive need for magnesium. Ethanolamine can also be a product of bacterial infection in the urinary tract or the intestine (dysbiosis).

Could be high due to a sluggish conversion of this serine derivative to phosphoethanolamine, possibly reducing acetylcholine synthesis. Supplement magnesium, a main cofactor for this conversion.

Ethanolamine is a metabolite of the nonessential amino acid serine. In the presence of adequate levels of functional B-6 (P-5-P) serine is enzymatically converted to ethanolamine; therefore, ethanolamine could be low as a consequence of P-5-P insufficiency. Alternatively, since serine is derived directly from dietary protein and, endogenously from phosphoserine, glycine and threonine, deficiencies of these precursor metabolites could also result in low levels of ethanolamine. Ethanolamine is important in the body as a precursor of phosphoethanolamine, phosphotidylcholine, choline and the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Therefore, a deficiency of ethanolamine can be responsible for suppressed activity of the parasympathetic nervous system (eg. GI motility) and poor memory and cognitive function. Symptoms can vary as a function of dietary intake of phosphotidylcholine (lecithin) as a source of choline. Low ethanolamine is usually associated with insufficient protein intake.

Ethanolamine is a metabolite of the nonessential amino acid serine. In the presence of adequate levels of functional B-6 (P-5-P) serine is enzymatically converted to ethanolamine.