Description
Phosphatidylcholine is found in nuts, seeds, dandelion greens, and egg yolks: foods we consume too little of to get an optimal intake of PC. Therefore, most adults do not obtain enough of this valuable nutrient through diet alone.
Research shows that supplemental phosphatidylcholine, which is derived from lecithin, is highly bioavailable, as it is nearly 90% absorbed by the body. Enzymes from the pancreas easily breakdown phosphatidylcholine into free fatty acids that are absorbed by the cells of the intestine, making supplemental phosphatidylcholine an easy way to increase PC in the body.
The Liver Nutrient
Phosphatidylcholine is the single most important nutrient for promoting liver health, assisting with nutrient assimilation, hormone balancing, and toxin elimination. PC helps to protect the liver against the toxins it may encounter from alcohol, pollutants, viruses, medications, mushroom poisoning, and radiation treatment.
Additional Functions of Phosphatidylcholine
- Helps support the aging process by maintaining healthy cell membranes and protecting them from damage
- Encourages healthy fat metabolism by properly breaking down fat
- Promotes healthy cholesterol levels
- Helps support healthy estrogen levels by helping the liver to convert estradiol to estriol, a safer form of estrogen. In this way, PC is helpful for supporting proper hormone balance in women.
- Helps maintain healthy levels of homocysteine, a compound that can affect blood vessels at elevated levels
- Protects blood vessels by supporting a normal blood pressure
- Supports healthy blood sugar levels by enhancing cells sensitivity to the hormone insulin
- Phosphatidylcholine helps the brain make acetylcholine, one its most important chemical messengers. Acetylcholine travels between nerve cells, creating and calling up memories. Therefore, PC can help maintain healthy brain function as we age.
References
- Kidd P. Phosphatidylcholine: a superior protectant against liver damage. Alt Med Rev 1996;1(4):258-274
- Olszewski AJ, Szostak WB, Bialkowska M, Rudnicki S, McCully KS. Reduction of plasma lipid and homocysteine levels by pyridonxine, folate, cobalamin, choline, riboflavin, and troxerutin in ather osclerosis [published erratum appears in Atherosclerosis 1991 May;88(1):978] Atherosclerosis 1989;7 5(1):1-6
- Cantafora A, Masella R, Angelico M, Gandin C, Blount RJ, Peterson SW. Effect of intravenous polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine infusion on insulin receptor processing and lipid composition of erythrocytes in patients with liver cirrhosis. Eur J Clin Invest 1992;2 2(12):777-82
- Little A, Levy R, Chuaqui-Kidd P, Hand D. A double-blind, placebo controlled trial of high-dose lecithin in Alzheimer’s disease. J. Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1985;4 8(8):736-42
- Fabia R, Ar’Rajab A, Willen R, et al. Effects of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol on aceticacid-induced colitis in the rat. Digestion 1992;5 3(1-2):35-44
- Bordamann G, Rudin W, Favre N. Immunization of mice with phosphatidylcholine drastically reduces theparasitaemia of subsequent Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi blood-stage infections. Immunology 1998;94(1):35-40
Warnings
Always be sure to speak with your healthcare provider before starting any new nutritional supplement when pregnant or nursing. For children, we recommend speaking with your child's pediatrician regarding proper dosing. Store away from children.
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