Phosphatidylcholine studies

Lecithin is known as phosphatidylcholine, although lecithin is also a term loosely applied to describe a combination of phosphatidylcholine with other phospholipids. Most people normally ingest 3 to 6 grams of lecithin a day through eggs, soy, and meats. Vegetables, fruits and grains contain very little lecithin.
   Phosphatidylcholine is the most abundant phospholipid component in all cells. Phosphatidylcholine levels in brain cell membranes decline with age.
   Several studies have been done with phosphatidylcholine to investigate its effects on memory. The results of the studies have not been consistent. Some have shown positive responses (Sorgatz 1987, Ladd, 1993), while others showed no difference in memory or learning after lecithin administration (Gillin 1980). Phosphatidylcholine has even been evaluated in Parkinson’s disease (Tweedy 1982). In this nine-week long double-blind study, sixteen elderly patients took a daily dose of approximately 32 grams of a commercial lecithin preparation. Marked clinical improvement was not observed, but there was a slight improvement in memory, cognition, and motility.

Phosphatidyl Choline (PC), 420 mg, 90 Softgels - Natural Factors
Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is used as a nutritional supplement. This versatile phospholipid is now recognized for its advantages to liver function as well as a nutrient for brain function. Phosphatidylcholine my also maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Luca Meyer, Inc. produces Leci-PC®, which has one of the highest levels of phosphatidylcholine available in a nutritional supplement. This Phosphatidylcholine is derived from soy, making it a completely natural substance.



 

Supplement Facts:
Lecithin 1200 mg*
Phosphatidylcholine (35%) - 420 mg*

Suggested Usage: Take 1 phosphatidylcholine capsule, 3 times daily with meals or as directed by a health professional.
* Phosphatidylcholine daily value not established.

Benefits of PC

Brain function
Several studies have been done with phosphatidylcholine to investigate its effects on memory. The results of the studies have not been consistent. Some have shown positive responses (Sorgatz 1987, Ladd, 1993), while others showed no difference in memory or learning after lecithin administration (Gillin 1980). Phosphatidylcholine has even been evaluated in Parkinson’s disease (Tweedy 1982). In this nine-week long double-blind study, sixteen elderly patients took a daily dose of approximately 32 grams of a commercial lecithin preparation. Marked clinical improvement was not observed, but there was a slight improvement in memory, cognition, and motility.

Homocysteine levels
Choline supplemented as phosphatidylcholine decreases fasting and postmethionine-loading plasma homocysteine concentrations in healthy men.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Jul;82(1):111-7. Wageningen Centre for Food Sciences and the Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands Quality of Life, Zeist, Netherlands.
A high homocysteine concentration is a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease that can be reduced through betaine supplementation. Choline is the precursor for betaine, but the effects of choline supplementation on plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations in healthy humans are unknown. The objective was to investigate whether supplementation with phosphatidylcholine, the form in which choline occurs in foods, reduces fasting and postmethionine-loading concentrations of plasma tHcy in healthy men with mildly elevated plasma tHcy concentrations. In a crossover study, 26 men ingested approximately 2.6 g choline/d (as phosphatidylcholine) or a placebo oil mixture for 2 wk in random order. A high daily dose of choline, supplemented as phosphatidylcholine, lowers fasting as well as postmethionine-loading plasma tHcy concentrations in healthy men with mildly elevated tHcy concentrations. If high homocysteine concentrations indeed cause cardiovascular disease, choline intake may reduce cardiovascular disease risk in humans.

Phosphatidylcholine and ulcerative colitis
Retarded release phosphatidylcholine benefits patients with chronic active ulcerative colitis.
Gut. 2005 Jul;54(7):966-71. Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
We examined the hypothesis of an anti-inflammatory effect of phosphatidylcholine in ulcerative colitis. A phase IIA, double blind, randomised, placebo controlled study was performed in 60 patients with chronic active, non steroid dependent, ulcerative colitis, with a clinical activity index. Retarded release phosphatidylcholine rich phospholipids and placebo were administered at a dose of 6 g daily over three months. Retarded release oral phosphatidylcholine is effective in alleviating inflammatory activity caused by ulcerative colitis.
   Comments: We think the German researchers meant slow release when they use the term retarded release.

Phosphatidylcholine Availability
Phosphatidylcholine is sold in the form of liquid, capsules, or granules. The amount of phosphatidylcholine in each product varies between different brands. The lecithin you buy in a health food store will generally include about 10 to 70 percent phosphatidylcholine, along with other lipids. Different types of lecithin will differ in their lipid compositions depending on the source of the lecithin—soy or egg yolk—or the extraction process. One product contains 1,200 mg of phosphatidylcholine in each capsule along with small amounts of other phospholipids.

Lecithin
Lecithin is known as phosphatidylcholine, although lecithin is also a term loosely applied to describe a combination of phosphatidylcholine with other phospholipids. Most people normally ingest 3 to 6 grams of lecithin a day through eggs, soy, and meats. Vegetables, fruits and grains contain very little lecithin.

Experience with phosphatidylcholine
We have interviewed many individuals who have taken lecithin in order to improve cognition. The reports have not been impressive. The majority of users do not notice any obvious benefits from lecithin. In the short term, lecithin does not provide much of a cognitive benefit.

Phosphatidylcholine summary
Research findings regarding the role of phosphatidylcholine in cognition have not been consistent. My professional and personal experience with phosphatidylcholine does not indicate that this supplement has any dramatic effects on mental abilities. Based on the available evidence, it appears that the cognitive benefits of taking lecithin are likely to be minor. As a rule, individuals who consume a wide variety of foods are not likely to suffer from phosphatidylcholine deficiency. Whether lecithin supplements benefit a subgroup of seniors with age related memory decline has not yet been adequately determined. It is certainly possible that there are those who may have a biochemical difficulty in making adequate amounts of phosphatidylcholine and would benefit from additional supplementation. If you are planning to take phosphatidylcholine , keep your dosages low, such as three grams a day or less. At this point there does not seem to be a need to supplement with phosphatidylcholine unless someone has an unusual diet and is not ingesting enough of this nutrient. See also phosphatidylethanolamine.

Phosphatidylcholine DHA fatty acid level and risk for dementia
Plasma phosphatidylcholine docosahexaenoic acid content and risk of dementia and Alzheimer disease: the Framingham Heart Study.
Arch Neurol. 2006 Nov;63(11):1545-50. Lipid Metabolism Laboratory, Jean Mayer US Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition REsearch Center on Aging, Tuffs University, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an abundant fatty acid in the brain. In the diet, DHA is found mostly in fatty fish. The content of DHA has been shown to be decreased in the brain and plasma of patients with dementia. To determine whether plasma phosphatidylcholine DHA content is associated with the risk of developing dementia. A prospective follow-up study in 899 men and women who were free of dementia at baseline, had a median age of 76 years, and were followed up for a mean of 9 years for the development of all-cause dementia and Alzheimer disease. Plasma PC fatty acid levels were measured at baseline. Subjects in the upper quartile of plasma PC DHA levels had a mean DHA intake of 0.18 g/d and a mean fish intake of 3 servings per week in a subset of 488 participants. The top quartile of plasma phosphatidylcholine DHA level was associated with a significant 47% reduction in the risk of developing all-cause dementia in the Framingham Heart Study.

Phosphatidylcholine questions
 Q. I would like to inform you about a discovery i made. I have used Phosphotidyl Choline in the past and for it very average for mind boosting. I have recently added Swanson Vitamins Kyoto Chlorella (they have two types) which comes from Japan and is a magnificient high quality product. I have tried others but this Swanson Vitamins one is top class...i mean it. So for past two days i have been experimenting with chlorella and Phosphotidyl Choline. In the morning i take my small dose of multi then at lunch I take 1 capsule of Lecithin 1200mg which has 420 mg of Phosphotidyl Choline from GNC. Along with that i took three 200mg chlorella tabs. After an hour my mind felt serene and words and ideas came so swiftly and without any effort. I started remembering old stuff back from my junior high schools days. At night i repeated the same process and slept like a baby, next day in the morning i could remember most of my dreams very clearly. I was not groggy at all and could think clearly first thing and that feeling of peace and serenity even got more deep. Sex drive got enhanced by afternoon quite dramatically, I also noticed a particular clarity in my vision too. Didn't effect auditory system as it happens with vinpocetine but there was a very subtle effects to the songs i play in my car in the morning. I think with chlorella this Phosphotidyl Choline works quite remarkably! Now i am alternating fish oil and Lecithin with chlorella but lecithin has far more kick with chlorella...i guess. Dose may be different for different people, but i am a sensitive type and less is more for me.

Q. I would like to inform you about a discovery I made. I have used phosphotidyl Choline in the past and for it very average for mind boosting. I have recently added Swanson vitamins Kyoto Chlorella (they have two types) which comes from Japan and is a magnificient high quality product. I have tried others but this one is top class...i mean it. So for past two days i have been experimenting with chlorella and Phosphotidyl Choline. In the morning i take my small dose of multi then at lunch I take 1 capsule of Lecithin 1200mg which has 420 mg of Phosphotidyl Choline from GNC. Along with that i took three 200mg chlorella tabs. After an hour my mind felt serene and words and ideas came so swiftly and without any effort. I started remembering old stuff back from my junior high schools days. At night i repeated the same process and slept like a baby, next day in the morning i could remember most of my dreams very clearly. I was not groggy at all and could think clearly first thing and that feeling of peace and serenity even got more deep. Sex drive got enhanced by afternoon quite dramatically, I also noticed a perticular clarity in my vision too. Didn't effect auditory system as it happens with vinpocetine but there was a very subtle effects to the songs i play in my car in the morning. I think with chlorella this Phosphotidyl Choline works quite remarkably! Now i am alternating fish oil and Lecithin with chlorella but lecithin has far more kick with chlorella...i guess. Dose may be different for different people, but i am a sensitive type and less is more for me.

Q. Soy lecithin is claimed by vendors to be rich in phosphatidylcholine. However soybeans contain a number of toxins, and the many process steps of industrially produced soy lecithin (particularly the use of hexane) are cause for health concern. So on balance, is soy lecithin a healthy supplementary source of choline? If so, then what should be the minimum daily therapeutical dose, and what should be the maximum daily intake limit?
   A. It is a misconception that soybeans contain a number of toxins, if they did Asians who consume soybean products would have a higher rate of mortality and illness. If a person has a healthy diet with a wide range of foods, including eggs, there is no need to take a phosphatidylcholine supplement. The need for such a supplement depends on a person's diet and the vast majority of American do not need to take such a pill.

Q. Does a phosphatidylcholine supplement provide any sexual enhancement benefit?
   A. We have not found this supplement to offer such benefits.

Soy lecithin is claimed by vendors to be rich in phosphatidylcholine. However soybeans contain a number of toxins, and the many process steps of industrially produced soy lecithin (particularly the use of hexane) are cause for health concern. So on balance, is soy lecithin a healthy supplementary source of choline? If so, then what should be the minimum daily therapeutical dose, and what should be the maximum daily intake limit?
   We have not seen any scientific evidence that soybeans contain toxins even though some websites make this claim. Most people do not need to take lecithin unless they have an unusual diet that has few phospholipids. The dosage of a phosphatidylcholine supplement to take depends largely on one's diet. Most people will not need to take a supplement are not likely to benefit from one. More people are likely to benefit from fish oil supplements than choline supplements.

index yohimbe bark