Phosphatidylcholine
supplement
by Ray Sahelian, M.D. Health benefit of
Phosphatidylcholine supplement
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, perhaps contributing to
memory loss.
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. Phosphatidylcholine may be helpful in
ulcerative colitis.
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.
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their practical interpretation by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Phosphatidylcholine 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.
Mind Power Rx - Formulated by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

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: Phosphatidylcholine
Availability
Some additional mind and memory boosting
supplements are:
Phosphatidylcholine and Homocysteine Phosphatidylcholine Summary Phosphatidylcholine
Research Update "Brain-specific" nutrients: a memory cure? Lecithin for dementia and cognitive impairment. Phosphatidylcholine questions Q. I have been told that I am deficient in
acetylcholine. After
conducting some research, I have found that Phosphatidylcholine requires Vitamin
B5 to assist in the synthesizing process that eventually boost Acetylcholine.
Additionally, I would like to know if this is true, would it be better to take a
Vitamin B complex? What kind of dosage would you suggest.
• Memory
• 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, DMAE, Inositol, Methylcobalamin, Pantothenic acid, Trimethylglycine,
Tyrosine, and Vinpocetine.
Click phosphatidylcholine above in blue for more information
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.
Acetyl-l-Carnitine 300 mg is quite popular since many people notice an
effect within a few hours.
CDP-Choline may also have some
sexual enhancing properties.
DMAE in high doses can cause
tenseness of the neck muscles
Sam-e is a potent mood
lifter and should be treated with respect. Use no more than 100 or 200 mg.
A report in the July 2005 issue of the American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition, indicates that a high daily dose of choline, supplemented as
phosphatidylcholine, lowers fasting as well as postmethionine-loading plasma
homocysteine concentrations in healthy men with mildly elevated homocysteine
concentrations. If high homocysteine concentrations indeed cause cardiovascular
disease, choline intake may reduce cardiovascular disease risk in humans.
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 for cognitive purposes unless someone has an unusual diet and is not ingesting
enough of this nutrient.
However, phosphatidylcholine could be of help to those
with high homocysteine levels.
Dr. Sahelian's Experience with Phosphatidylcholine
I 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. Lecithin does not provide me
with cognitive effects. I have taken fifteen capsules a day of lecithin for a
week without a noticeable effect on alertness, vision, or mood. Each capsule
contained 1,200 mg of phosphatidylcholine. However, it is
possible that long term use of smaller amounts my have benefits for certain
individuals.
Therapeutic applications of citicoline for stroke and
cognitive dysfunction in the elderly: a review of the literature.
Conant R, Schauss AG. American Institute for Biosocial and Medical Research,
Puyallup, WA
Altern Med Rev. 2004 Mar;9(1):17-31.
Citicoline (CDP-choline;
cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine), a form of the essential nutrient choline, shows
promise of clinical efficacy in elderly patients with cognitive deficits,
inefficient memory, and early-stage Alzheimer's disease. CDP-choline has also
been investigated as a therapy in stroke patients, although the results of
trials to date are inconclusive. Produced endogenously, CDP-choline serves as a
choline donor in the metabolic pathways for biosynthesis of acetylcholine and
neuronal membrane phospholipids, chiefly phosphatidylcholine. The principal
components of CDP-choline, choline and cytidine, are readily absorbed in the GI
tract and easily cross the blood-brain barrier. Exogenous CDP-choline, as the
sodium salt, has been researched in animal experiments and human clinical trials
that provide evidence of its cholinergic and neuroprotective actions. As a
dietary supplement, CDP-choline appears useful for improving both the structural
integrity and functionality of the neuronal membrane that may assist in membrane
repair. This review, while not intended to be exhaustive, highlights the
published, peer-reviewed research on CDP-choline with brief discussions on
toxicology and safety, mechanisms of action, and pharmacokinetics.
McDaniel MA, Maier SF, Einstein GO. Department of Psychology, University of New
Mexico,
Nutrition. 2003 Nov-Dec;19(11-12):957-75.
We review the experimental evaluations of several widely marketed
nonprescription compounds claimed to be memory enhancers and treatments for
age-related memory decline. We generally limit our review to double-blind
placebo-controlled studies. The compounds examined are phosphatidylcholine,
citicoline (CDP-choline),
vinpocetine, and
acetyl-L-carnitine. The choline compounds phosphatidylcholine and
CDP-choline are thought to promote synthesis and transmission of
neurotransmitters important to memory. Phosphatidylcholine has not proven
effective for improving memory in patients with probable Alzheimer's disease.
The issue remains open for older adults without serious degenerative neural
disease. Research on citicoline is practically nonexistent, but one study
reported a robust improvement in story recall for a small sample of normally
aging older adults who scored lower than their peers in baseline testing.
Vinpocetine increases blood circulation and metabolism in the brain. Animal
studies have shown that vinpocetine can reduce the loss of neurons due to
decreased blood flow. In three studies of older adults with memory problems
associated with poor brain circulation or dementia-related disease, vinpocetine
produced significantly more improvement than a placebo in performance on global
cognitive tests reflecting attention, concentration, and memory. Effects on
episodic memory per se have been tested minimally, if at all. Acetyl-L-carnitine
participates in cellular energy production, a process especially important in
neurons, and in removal of toxic accumulation of fatty acids. Animal studies
show that acetyl-L-carnitine reverses the age-related decline in the number of
neuron membrane receptors. Studies of patients with probable Alzheimer's disease
have reported nominal advantages over a range of memory tests for acetyl-L-carnitine-treated
patients relative to placebo groups. Significant differences have been reported
rarely, however. Whether acetyl-L-carnitine would have mnemonic benefits for
aging adults without brain disease is untested as far as we know. CONCLUSIONS:
In sum, for most of the "brain-specific" nutrients we review, some mildly
suggestive effects have been found in preliminary controlled studies using
standard psychometric memory assessments or more general tests designed to
reveal cognitive impairment.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;(3):CD001015.
Alzheimer's disease sufferers have been found to have a lack of
the enzyme responsible for converting choline into acetylcholine within the
brain. Lecithin is a major dietary source of choline, so extra consumption may
reduce the progression of dementia. To determine the efficacy of lecithin in the
treatment of dementia or cognitive impairment, the Cochrane Dementia and
Cognitive Improvement Group's Specialized Register was searched on 15 May 2002
using the terms lecithin and phosphatidylcholine. MAIN RESULTS: Twelve
randomized trials have been identified involving patients with Alzheimer's
disease (265 patients), Parkinsonian dementia (21 patients) and subjective
memory problems (90 patients). No trials reported any clear clinical benefit of
lecithin for Alzheimer's disease or Parkinsonian dementia. Few trials
contributed data to meta-analyses. The only statistically significant result was
in favur of placebo for adverse events, based on one trial, which appears likely
to be a spurious result. A dramatic result in favour of lecithin was obtained in
a trial of subjects with subjective memory problems. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS:
Evidence from randomized trials does not support the use of lecithin -
phosphatidylcholine - in the treatment of patients with dementia. A
moderate effect cannot be ruled out, but results from the small trials to date
do not indicate priority for a large randomized trial.
Q. Is
alpha gpc similar to
phosphatidylcholine?
A. See the link above for more information.
A. Each person has a different diet and different
nutritional requirement, therefore no blanket statements can be made regarding
how much or whether to supplement with B5. As a rule, though, one or two times
the RDA for the B vitamins is fine for most people.