Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is a phospholipid found in cell membranes throughout the body. When you think of phosphatidylcholine, think of cellular repair.

Brain Health and Phosphatidylcholine

Phosphatidylcholine, or PC, is a phospholipid, which makes it important for the health of cell membranes. Phospholipids are especially beneficial to the brain and nervous system, which are high in phospholipids. Studies have shown that high levels of PC improve the health of the grey matter in the brain and improve cognition1.

Phosphatidylcholine and Liver Damage

One of the best researched use of phosphatidylcholine is in ameliorating liver damage. There are many studies that show its benefit for patients with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver2,3,4,5,6.

PC use in both hepatitis B and hepatitis C has been studied and found to have a positive effect7,8,9,10. Consider using phosphatidylcholine as an adjunct in treating liver disease11,12. PC also enhances the effectiveness of silybin in protecting from liver damage13,14.

Phosphatidylcholine, Digestion, Leaky Gut, and Colitis

Phosphatidylcholine is all about cellular repair. Inflammatory bowel disease is all about damage to the cells lining the intestine, and patients can benefit from PC supplementation. Studies have shown that PC supplementation is extremely helpful to patients with ulcerative colitis15,16,17,18.

Typical dose: 1,000 – 2,000 mg, 3x/day.

Selected References:

  1. Aging Neurosci. | https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2016.00226 Inferior Prefrontal Cortex Mediates the Relationship between Phosphatidylcholine and Executive Functions in Healthy, Older Adults
  2. Med Welt 1985;72:517-521.19 Controlled study using multiply-unsaturated phosphatidyl-choline in comparison with placebo in the case of alcoholic liver steatosis
  3. Cas Lek Cesk. 1994 Jun 13;133(12):366-9 [The effect of polyene phosphatidylcholine (Essentiale forte) in the treatment of liver steatosis and ultrasound findings–preliminary study]
  4. Arteriosclerosis Volume 213, ISSUE 1, P142-147, November 01, 2010 Hydrogenated phosphatidylcholine supplementation reduces hepatic lipid levels in mice fed a high-fat diet
  5. Cas Lek Cesk. 1994 Jun 13;133(12):366-9. [The effect of polyene phosphatidylcholine (Essentiale forte) in the treatment of liver steatosis and ultrasound findings–preliminary study]
  6. Gastroenterology1994;106:152-159. Phosphatidyl-choline protects against fibrosis and cirrhosis in the baboon.
  7. Liver 1982;2:77-81. Use of polyunsaturated phosphatidyl choline in HBsAg negative chronic active hepatitis: results of prospective double-blind controlled trial
  8. LaClinica Terapeutica 1985;114:183-188 Polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine (EPL) associated with vitamin B-complex in the treatment of acute viral hepatitis-B.
  9. Med Welt 1991;42:523-525. Therapy for HBsAg-positive chronically active hepatitis
  10. Hepatogastroenterol 1998;45:797-804 Polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine and interferon alpha for treatment of chronic hepatitis B and C: a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
  11. Eksp Klin Gastroenterol. 2014;(10):28-32. Essential phospholipids in the treatment of alcohol-related liver disease: clinical and experimental study
  12. Curr Med Res Opin. 1999;15(3):177-84. Beneficial effect of salmon roe phosphatidylcholine in chronic liver disease
  13. Free Radic Biol Med. 2012 May 1;52(9):1658-65. Silybin combined with phosphatidylcholine and vitamin E in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled trial
  14. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol. 1993 Sep;31(9):456-60 A pilot study on the liver protective effect of silybin-phosphatidylcholine complex (IdB1016) in chronic active hepatitis
  15. Ann Intern Med. 2007 Nov 6;147(9):603-10 Phosphatidylcholine for steroid-refractory chronic ulcerative colitis: a randomized trial
  16. 2005 Jul;54(7):966-71. Retarded release phosphatidylcholine benefits patients with chronic active ulcerative colitis
  17. Dig Dis. 2021 Jan 13 Delayed Release Phosphatidylcholine is Effective for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis: A Meta-Analysis
  18. Am J Gastroenterol. 2014 Jul;109(7):1041-51 First multicenter study of modified release phosphatidylcholine “LT-02” in ulcerative colitis: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in mesalazine-refractory courses