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| Relatively pure PC supplements are generally labeled as "phosphatidylcholine". Most commercial lecithins contain various amounts of other phospholipids such as phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine. Source Choline, a lipotropic molecule and the major constituent of phosphatydyl choline, is also available by itself (without the "phosphatidyl" group) in foods and supplements. Egg yolks, meat, and some vegetables contain PC. Lecithin (containing 10-20% PC) is added to many processed foods in small amounts, for the purpose of maintaining texture consistency. Most commercial lecithin is derived from soybeans. Function; Reasons For Use PC acts as a supplier of choline. Choline is now considered an essential nutrient, needed for cell membrane integrity and to facilitate the movement of fats in and out of cells. It is also a component of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and is needed for normal brain functioning, particularly in infants. For this reason, PC has been used in a number of preliminary studies for a wide variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders [Benjamin J, Levine J, Fux M, et al. Double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of inositol treatment for panic disorder. Am J Psychiatry 1995;152: pp.1084-6.], though not every study suggests that supplemental choline is capable of reaching the brain [Dechent P, Pouwels PJW, Frahm J. Neither short-term nor long-term administration of oral choline alters metabolite concentrations in human brain. Biol Psychiatry 1999;46: pp.406-11]. Choline participates in many functions involving cellular components called phospholipids. Choline is a vitamin that is lipotropic (has an affinity for lipids - fats). As a precursor to betaine, choline is also involved in methylation of homocysteine as well as DNA. Lecithin, with other phospholipids, is essential for every cellular and sub-cellular membrane in the body, especially the brain and central nervous system. |
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