Episode 357: CDP Choline for Brain Performance with Katie Emerson

2025-12-09

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Welcome back to the Flex Diet Podcast! Today, I’m hanging out with the brilliant Katie Emerson, Senior Manager of Scientific Affairs over at Kyowa Hakko USA, aka the people behind Cognizin (CDP Choline), one of the few brain-boosting ingredients with legit research behind it.We dig into the real science of CDP Choline, how it supports memory, focus, and cognitive performance, and where it actually fits into the human physiology engine, not the hype machine. Katie and I also zoom out into the supplement industry as a whole, chatting about what’s worth paying attention to, wha...

We dig into the real science of CDP Choline, how it supports memory, focus, and cognitive performance, and where it actually fits into the human physiology engine, not the hype machine. Katie and I also zoom out into the supplement industry as a whole, chatting about what’s worth paying attention to, what’s still emerging, and how to navigate all the shiny promises out there.

We even take a nerd-tour into mental resilience, genetic mapping, and the surprising potential of glutathione for health and performance.

If you’re curious how targeted supplements can help you think faster, recover better, and be a more high-performing human without needing a PhD to decode marketing nonsense, this episode is for you.

Sponsors:

Flex 4: Katie's top 4 things to know about citocholine

Episode Chapters:

03:52 Katie Emerson Joins the Conversation
04:09 Conversations at ISSN and Networking
11:20 Research and Studies on CDP Choline
17:49 Challenges in Supplement Formulation
24:40 Mechanisms and Benefits of CDP Choline
28:06 Exploring Genetic Mapping and Data Overload
29:01 Study Design and Dosing Strategies
30:29 The Sweet Spot of CDP Choline Dosage
33:40 Pharmacokinetics and Timing of CDP Choline
35:36 Safety and Side Effects of High Doses
38:59 Comparing CDP Choline and Alpha GPC
42:41 Introduction to Glutathione
48:41 Oral Absorption of Glutathione
52:12 Podcast Conclusion and Listener Information

Episodes You Might Enjoy:

Episode 343: Fueling the Corporate Athlete: Stress, Supplements & Performance with Dan Hunter
- YouTube: https://youtu.be/0ek4XSs62RQ
Episode 222: Expert Insights on nutrition, supplements, and training with Registered Dietitian Sean Casey
- YouTube: https://youtu.be/wjJB-y1kwgM

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