PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Phosphatidylcholine is a chemical found naturally in all cells in the body. It is a source of the essential nutrient, choline. It's also found in foods.

Phosphatidylcholine is a major part of lecithin, which is a mixture of fats that are essential to cells in the human body. It's found in soy, sunflower, mustard, and eggs. The body makes a chemical called acetylcholine from phosphatidylcholine. Acetylcholine is important for memory.

People use phosphatidylcholine for inflammatory bowel disease. It is also used for acne, memory loss, Alzheimer disease, liver disease, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse phosphatidylcholine with Alpha-GPC, choline, lecithin, phosphatidylserine, or soy. These are related but not the same.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

A type of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis). Taking phosphatidylcholine by mouth might improve symptoms in people with ulcerative colitis.

There is interest in using phosphatidylcholine for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Phosphatidylcholine is possibly safe when used in doses up to 30 grams daily for 6 weeks, or up to 6 grams daily for up to 2 years. It's generally well-tolerated. Side effects might include altered taste, bloating, diarrhea, itching, nausea, and sweating.

When applied to the skin: Phosphatidylcholine is possibly safe when used in products also containing niacinamide for up to 12 weeks.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy: Phosphatidylcholine is possibly safe when taken by mouth starting at 18 weeks of pregnancy at doses up to 5 grams daily.

Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if phosphatidylcholine is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions ?

We currently have no information for PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE overview.

Dosing

Phosphatidylcholine has most often been used by adults in doses of 1.05-6 grams by mouth daily for up to 24 weeks. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.

View References

REFERENCES:

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Fabia, R., Ar'Rajab, A., Willen, R., Andersson, R., Ahren, B., Larsson, K., and Bengmark, S. Effects of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol on acetic-acid-induced colitis in the rat. Digestion 1992;53(1-2):35-44. View abstract.

Holecek, M., Mraz, J., Koldova, P., and Skopec, F. Effect of polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine on liver regeneration onset after hepatectomy in the rat. Arzneimittelforschung. 1992;42(3):337-339. View abstract.

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Schneider, J., Muller, R., Buberl, W., Kaffarnik, H., Schubotz, R., Hausmann, L., Muhlfellner, G., and Muhlfellner, O. Effect of polyenyl phosphatidyl choline on clofibrate-induced increase in LDL cholesterol. Eur.J.Clin.Pharmacol. 2-19-1979;15(1):15-19. View abstract.

Singh, N. K. and Prasad, R. C. A pilot study of polyunsaturated phosphatidyl choline in fulminant and subacute hepatic failure. J Assoc.Physicians India 1998;46(6):530-532. View abstract.

Stremmel, W., Merle, U., Zahn, A., Autschbach, F., Hinz, U., and Ehehalt, R. Retarded release phosphatidylcholine benefits patients with chronic active ulcerative colitis. Gut 2005;54(7):966-971. View abstract.

Zierenberg, O. and Grundy, S. M. Intestinal absorption of polyenephosphatidylcholine in man. J Lipid Res 1982;23(8):1136-1142. View abstract.

Ablon G, Rotunda AM. Treatment of lower eyelid fat pads using phosphatidylcholine: clinical trial and review. Dermatol Surg 2004;30:422-7. View abstract.

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Cheatham CL, Goldman BD, Fischer LM, da Costa KA, Reznick JS, Zeisel SH. Phosphatidylcholine supplementation in pregnant women consuming moderate-choline diets does not enhance infant cognitive function: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr 2012;96(6):1465-72. View abstract.

Chung SY, Moriyama T, Uezu E, et al. Administration of phosphatidylcholine increases brain acetylcholine concentration and improves memory in mice with dementia. J Nutr. 1995 Jun;125(6):1484-9. View abstract.

Domino EF, Mathews BN, Tait SK, Ortiz A. Effects of oral phosphatidylcholine on mouse brain choline and acetylcholine. Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther. 1983;265(1):49-54. View abstract.

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Food and Drug Administration. Warning Letter to Ayoula Dublin regarding Lipostabil. July 22, 2003.

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Jenkins PJ, Portmann BP, Eddleston AL, Williams R. Use of polyunsaturated phosphatidyl choline in HBsAg negative chronic active hepatitis: results of prospective double-blind controlled trial. Liver 1982;2:77-81. View abstract.

Jope RS. Effects of phosphatidylcholine administration to rats on choline in blood and choline and acetylcholine in brain. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1982;220(2):322-8. View abstract.

Karner M, Kocjan A, Stein J, et al. First multicenter study of modified release phosphatidylcholine "LT-02" in ulcerative colitis: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in mesalazine-refractory courses. Am J Gastroenterol 2014;109(7):1041-51. View abstract.

Koo SI, Noh SK. Phosphatidylcholine inhibits and lysophosphatidylcholine enhances the lymphatic absorption of alpha-tocopherol in adult rats. J Nutr 2001;131:717-22.. View abstract.

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Lieber CS, Leo MA, Aleynik S, et al. Increased circulating level of dilinoleoylphosphatidylcholine is associated with protection against alcohol induced oxidative stress and liver fibrosis in man. Hepatology 2000;32:386A.

Loguercio C, Andreone P, Brisc C, et al. Silybin combined with phosphatidylcholine and vitamin E in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled trial. Free Radic Biol Med 2012;52(9):1658-65. View abstract.

Maev IV, Samsonov AA, Palgova LK, et al. Effectiveness of phosphatidylcholine as adjunctive therapy in improving liver function tests in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic comorbidities: real-life observational study from Russia. BMJ Open Gastroenterol. 2020;7(1):e000368. View abstract.

Maev IV, Samsonov AA, Palgova LK, et al. Effectiveness of phosphatidylcholine in alleviating steatosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiometabolic comorbidities (MANPOWER study). BMJ Open Gastroenterol. 2020;7(1):e000341. View abstract.

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Stremmel W, Braun A, Hanemann A, Ehehalt R, Autschbach F, Karner M. Delayed release phosphatidylcholine in chronic-active ulcerative colitis: a randomized, double-blinded, dose finding study. J Clin Gastroenterol 2010;44(5):e101-7. View abstract.

Stremmel W, Ehehalt R, Autschbach F, Karner M. Phosphatidylcholine for steroid-refractory chronic ulcerative colitis: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2007;147(9):603-10. View abstract.

Stremmel W, Vural H, Evliyaoglu O, Weiskirchen R. Delayed Release Phosphatidylcholine is Effective for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis: A Meta-Analysis. Dig Dis 2021;39(5):508-515. View abstract.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
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