What you will find on this Alpha GPC page
Alpha GPC information
Alpha GPC product
Mind Power Rx -- brain boosting formula by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Alpha GPC, also known as alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine, is a nutrient now available as a supplement. Alpha GPC apparently is able to deliver choline to the brain. Whether Alpha GPC offers advantages over choline, cdp-choline, acetyl-l carnitine which are also available as supplements, is not yet known for certain. Alpha GPC is not a phospholipid, rather it is a nutrient derived from soy phospholipids, one of these phospholipids being lecithin.

Alpha GPC 300, 60 Veggie Caps - Jarrow
Mind Power Rx brain supplement formula
Alpha GPC (L-alpha-glycerylphosphosphorylcholine), also known as choline alfoscerate) is a phospholipid metabolite found concentrated in neuronal membranes. Made from lecithin, Alpha GPC is extremely well absorbed and crosses the blood brain barrier. In the brain Alpha GPC supports brain function and learning processes by directly increasing the synthesis and secretion of acetylcholine. Alpha GPC protects neurons and improves signal transmission by serving as a precursor to membrane phospholipids. Each Jarrow Formulas® Alpha GPC 300 vegetarian capsule contains 300 mg of elemental Alpha GPC.

Click hereto buy Alpha-GPC, Mind Power Rx brain booster, or to sign up to a FREE newsletter

Subscribe to a FREE Supplement Research Update newsletter.

Twice a month we Email you a brief abstract of several new studies on various supplements and natural medicine topics and their practical interpretation by Ray Sahelian, M.D. We will mention research updates on alpha gpc when published.



Supplement Facts
Serving Size 1 Vegetarian Capsule
Alpha GPC 300 mg * (L-alphaglycerylphosphosphorylcholine)
* Alpha GPC daily value not established

High Quality products formulated by a medical doctor
In addition to alpha gpc supplement, consider the benefits of highly popular all natural products. These include Mind Power Rx for better mental focus, concentration, and mood; Diet Rx which helps you eat less. It really works to curb appetite; Good Night Rx for better sleep; Eyesight Rx with lots of antioxidants for better vision; MultiVit Rx a daily comprehensive multivitamin for more energy and vitality; Joint Power Rx for healthy joints; Prostate Power Rx for a healthy prostate gland; Passion Rx for sexual enhancement in men and women; and Veg Rx supplies the missing nutrients in a vegetarian diet.

Mind Power Rx is a sophisticated cognitive formula. It combines a delicate balance of brain circulation agents and neurotransmitter precursors with powerful natural brain chemicals that support healthy:

• Memory and Mood
• Mental clarity
• Concentration 
• Alertness & Focus

The herbs in Mind Power Rx include: Ashwagandha, Bacopa, Fo-Ti, Ginkgo biloba, Ginseng, Gotu Kola, Mucuna pruriens, Reishi, and Rhodiola.  The nutrients and vitamins in Mind Power Rx include Acetyl-l-carnitine, Carnitine, Carnosine, Choline bitartrate, DMAE, Inositol, Methylcobalamin, Pantothenic acid, Trimethylglycine, Tyrosine, and Vinpocetine.

Alpha GPC for dementia
Multicentre study of l-alpha-glyceryl-phosphorylcholine vs ST200 among patients with probable senile dementia of Alzheimer's type.
Drugs Aging. 1993 Mar-Apr;3(2):159-64.
A multicentre, randomised, controlled study compared the efficacy of l-alpha-glyceryl-phosphorylcholine ( alpha GPC ) and ST200 (acetyl-l-carnitine) among 126 patients with probable senile dementia of Alzheimer's type of mild to moderate degree. The results showed significant improvements in most neuropsychological parameters in the alpha GPC recipients. Improvements also occurred in the ST200 recipients but to a lesser extent. Tolerability was good in both groups. These positive findings require replication in larger, double-blind, longitudinal studies coupling clinical and biological determinations.

A multicentre trial to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine versus cytosine diphosphocholine in patients with vascular dementia.
J Int Med Res. 1991 Jul-Aug;19(4):330-41.
An open clinical trial was carried out to compare the efficacy and the tolerability of 1 g/day alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine ( alpha-GPC ) with 1 gram a day cytosine diphosphocholine (CDP) both given intramuscularly for 90 days in 120 patients with mild to moderate vascular dementia. The clinical evaluation, carried out at the start as well as halfway through (45 days) and at the end of treatment (90 days), was expressed by psychometric tests (modified Parkside behaviour rating scale, Sandoz clinical assessment geriatric scale, word fluency test, Hamilton's rating scale of depression, narration subtest of Wechsler memory scale). Both treatments produced a definite symptomatic improvement and showed a very good tolerability. The results suggest that in most tests alpha-GPC possessed a statistical higher efficacy and an overall more satisfactory activity assessed by both patients and investigators compared with CDP.

Alpha GPC for stroke recovery
Alpha-Glycerophosphocholine in the mental recovery of cerebral ischemic attacks. An Italian multicenter clinical trial.
Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1994 Jun 30;717:253-69.
The clinical efficacy and the tolerability of alpha-glycerophosphocholine (alpha-GPC), a drug able to provide high levels of choline for the nervous cells of the brain and to protect their cell walls, have been tested in a clinical open multicenter trial on 2044 patients suffering from recent stroke or transient ischemic attacks. Alpha-GPC was administered after the attack at the daily dose of 1000 mg im for 28 days and orally at the dose of 400 mg three times a day during the following 5 months after the first phase. The evaluation of the efficacy on the psychic recovery was done by the Mathew Scale (MS) during the period of im drug administration, and using the Mini Mental State Test (MMST), the Crichton Rating Scale (CRS), and the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) during the following period of oral administration. The MS mean increased 15 points in 28 days in a statistically significant way from 58 to 74. At the end of the 5 month oral administration, the CRS mean significantly decreased from 20 to 15; the MMST mean significantly increased from 21 to 24 at the end of the trial, reaching the "normality" score at the 3rd month assessment. The GDS score at the end of the trial corresponded to "no cognitive decline" or "forgetfulness" in 71% of the patients. Adverse events were complained of by 44 patients (2%); in 14 (0.7%) the investigator preferred to discontinue therapy. The most frequent complaints were heartburn (0.7%), nausea-vomit (0.5%), insomnia-excitation (0.4%), and headache (0.2%). The trial confirms the therapeutic role of alpha-GPC on the cognitive recovery of patients with acute stroke or TIA, and the low percentage of adverse events confirms its excellent tolerability.

My Alpha GPC experience - January 2008
Alpha GPC is a newcomer in the mind boosting supplement field. Alpha GPC stands for alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine and is related to choline and lecithin. My first morning I took one capsule of this supplement at a dosage of 300 mg. By mid morning I had not noticed much, so I took another capsule. Except for slight alertness, I can't say I noticed much of a positive or negative effect. A few days later, I took 3 capsules in the morning. By midday I noticed being more alert and there was a very mild relaxation effect which is unlike other brain boosters that make me feel stimulated. The next day I took 2 capsules and the effects were similar. Overall, I did not find the short term effects of alpha GPC to be very potent. I don't have a strong urge to take it again any time soon, although I can see it being useful as a mild mental enhancer in those who find acetyl-carnitine, DMAE, or other brain boosters too stimulating and would prefer a gentler brain enhancer. One option is to alternate alpha GPC one day and Mind Power Rx the next day. Alpha GPC may offer long term benefits as discussed in the research studies listed above. One has to keep in mind that even if no significant benefits are observed in the short term, this does not mean that a supplement won't have long term benefits. Alpha GPC is not a supplement to take for occasional use as a mental enhancer. Mind Power Rx, acetylcarnitine, CDP-choline, DMAE, are better options for a quick mind boost.

Alpha GPC side effects
I can only speak by my limited experience having taken alpha GPC twice, one time 600 mg, another time 900 mg. I did not notice any side effects, such as nausea, headache, increased body temperature, or rapid heart rate. I don't know what the long term effects would be but my guess is that taking 300 mg of alpha GPC a few times a week would not cause any problems.

Alpha GPC Research
Evidence for an in vivo and in vitro modulation of endogenous cortical GABA release by alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine.
Neurochem Res. 1996 May;21(5):547-52.
The effects of alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine ( alpha-GPC ) on endogenous cortical GABA release were studied both in vivo and in vitro. In freely moving rats, equipped with epidural cups, alpha-GPC increased GABA release. This effect was potentiated by atropine, both systematically administered and locally applied, but not by mecamylamine (4 mg/kg i.p.). The alpha-GPC-induced increase in GABA release was abolished in rats pretreated with the alpha 1 receptor antagonist prazosin. In cortical slices alpha-GPC increased the spontaneous GABA efflux. This effect was abolished by tetrodotoxin and prazosin, but not by atropine or mecamylamine. These results indicate that the facilitatory response by alpha-GPC on GABA release does not depend on a direct activation of either muscarinic or nicotinic receptors, but suggest the involvement of the noradrenergic system.

Chronic L-alpha-glyceryl-phosphoryl-choline increases inositol phosphate formation in brain slices and neuronal cultures.
Pharmacol Toxicol. 1994 Feb;74(2):95-100.
Repeated, but not single injections of L-alpha-glyceryl-phosphorylcholine ( alpha GPC ) significantly increased basal [3H]inositol monophosphate (InsP) formation in hippocampal, cortical, and striatal slices of male rats. We suggest that alpha GPC treatment may result in an increased rate of phospholipid synthesis, including the phosphoinositides available for signal transduction at central nervous system level.

Alpha GPC emails
Q. There seems to be a lot of "buzz" lately about Alpha GPC. As I am an aging "boomer"--was wondering if you might comment on the efficacy and safety of this? There's also purported motor-sensory reflex benefit as well--so I can understand why all the excitement. Also, if I'm already taking some "mind-boosters"; would there be some you'd recommend me to throttle-back on or avoid altogether in conjunction with Alpha GPC. (Or perhaps you're aware of something with more clinical history which achieves same/better results as Alpha GPC?)
   A. I am still learning about alpha GPC and have not come across enough convincing evidence to put it ahead of other well known proven mind boosters. Consider a mind formula called Mind Power Rx.

Q. What is the right dosage of Alpha GPC for long term use?
   A. I really cannot find any recent long term human studies with alpha GPC therefore, until more is known, it would be best to limit intake of alpha GPC to 300 mg three or four times a week.

Q. Is alpha GPC a better alternative than CDP-choline or choline?
   A. This is difficult to answer since human studies are few, but one study comparing alpha GPC to CDP-choline found both to be effective in vascular dementia, however alpha GPC was more effective than CDP-choline. The mental effect of CDP-choline is noticed much quicker than alpha GPC.

Q. Can I take Alpha GPC together with Mind Power Rx?
   A. We prefer that alpha GPC and Mind Power Rx be taken on separate days.

Q. Does alpha GPC have any side effects?
   A. Alpha GPC appears to have few side effects per my experience. I have taken it one day at 300 mg in the morning and midday. Another time I took three capsules of alpah GPC in the morning on an empty stomach. I did not experience any nauses, rapid heart beat, or increased body temperature.

Q. i am interested in alpha gpc. i just wanted to make sure it was ncaa legal. I saw it increased hgh so is alpha gpc a legal ncaa supplement?
     A. As far as we know, alpha GPC is legal for the purposes of NCAA, although we are not experts in the field of NCAA drugs and prohibited substances.

Q. I am hoping that you can help me find out some information on alpha-GPC and CDP-choline. Specifically I am trying to find out the time to peak plasma levels as well as the elimination half life of an oral dose of alpha-GPC compared to that of CDP-choline.
     A. I have not seen studies of these nutrients regarding their half life. I personally notice the effects of CDP-choline within an hour or two lasting for a few hours. As to alpha GPC, I notice the effects starting within a few hours, but they are not as potent as CDP-choline.

Q. Thank you for this opportunity to ask a question about Alpha-GPC. Although I have looked at your website and others, I have yet to find a source that may tell me if one could expect an interaction with Alpha-GPC and prescription drugs, specifically, Zoloft, Razadyne and Namenda. My spouse is currently on this medication and I hesitate to give her something that might have serious side effects. Therefore, could you or your staff advise or direct me to a source for such information regarding the interaction of alpha gpc and these drugs. I have discovered in the past, when discussing nutritional supplements with the "main line" medical professions, i.e., a family physician, one is likely to get answer "they are worthless or take a hike". Nutritional supplements are probably not taken seriously in medical schools or hospitals.
   A. There are few studies done with alpha GPC in humans, let alone testing the interaction of this supplement with pharmaceutical drugs. However, based on my limited experience, it appears that one capsule of alpha GPC taken a few days a week should not have any major interactions with pharmaceutical medicines. However, each person is unique and some people may be very sensitive to interactions.

Q. Please what is the source of the lecithin used in alpha gpc. I ask because I have only been able to find soy lecithin and that depresses the thyroid.
   A. Even though alpha gpc may be extracted from soy, the amount of soy in the capsule is so minimal that it would not have any clinical significance unless someone is extraordinarily allergic to even the tiniest amount of soy. This would be extremely rare.

Q. Can alpha gpc supplement be taken on a regular basis. Is it okay to take this mind supplement along with acetyl-l carnitine or Mind Power Rx.
   A. Alpha-GPC is a brain supplement and can be taken a few times a week. It would be best not to take it the same day as acetycarnitine or Mind Power Rx unless you have tried them separately and know exactly how they each make you feel.

Q. Have you any knowledge of alpha-gpc supplement use? I've seen it on the internet, and it says its a more potent form of choline.
   A. There is very little research with alpha-gpc supplements in humans. We prefer a combination formula of several nutrients and herbs that work synergistically as opposed to a high dosage of just one nutrient. There are many brain formulas with combinations available online, one good option is Mind Power Rx. However, some people prefer taking individual herbs or nutrients. It is a matter of trial and error to find something that works for you. You may find combining a little bit of alpha GPC with a little bit of choline, acetyl carnitine, and low dosages of other brain supplements may work for you.

This alpha GPC page was last updated in January 2008.