Phosphatidylcholine
Alternate names: Fosfatidilcolina, Lipodissolve, Lipolight, Lipolyse, Lipothérapie, Lipotherapy, Phospholipid, Phospholipide, Phospholipon, Polyenylphosphatidylcholine, Polyénylphosphatidylcholine, PtdCho
Actions: Fat breakdown, Fat absorption, Hepatoprotective, Neurological, Anti-inflammatory in the colon
Background
Phosphatidylcholine is a chemical contained in eggs, soybeans, mustard, sunflower, and other foods. It is found naturally in the body in all cells. Phosphatidylcholine is also a source of choline in the body.
Phosphatidylcholine is used for ulcerative colitis. There is some scientific research that supports this use.
Phosphatidylcholine is also used for memory loss, Alzheimer disease, and liver disease, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Phosphatidylcholine is also used in cosmetic injections for "dissolving" fat, but these are considered unapproved drugs by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Phosphatidylcholine is used for ulcerative colitis. There is some scientific research that supports this use.
Phosphatidylcholine is also used for memory loss, Alzheimer disease, and liver disease, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Phosphatidylcholine is also used in cosmetic injections for "dissolving" fat, but these are considered unapproved drugs by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Phosphatidylcholine is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth, in a dose up to 30 grams per day for 6 weeks, or up to 6 grams per day for 2 years. When phosphatidylcholine is taken by mouth, it can sometimes cause excessive sweating, stomach upset, and diarrhea.
When given as a shot: Phosphatidylcholine is POSSIBLY SAFE when given as an injection under the skin for up to 5 doses spread 2-4 weeks apart. The injections can cause irritation, swelling, redness, itching, burning, bruising, and pain at the injection site. These side effects usually go away over a period of several days. Sometimes, phosphatidylcholine might cause gastrointestinal upset, like bloating, diarrhea, and nausea.
If phosphatidylcholine is injected directly into a non-cancerous fatty tumor (lipoma), it might cause a reaction that could make the tumor more fibrous, needing surgery to remove it.
When applied to the skin: Phosphatidylcholine is POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin for up to 12 weeks.
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.
When given as a shot: Phosphatidylcholine is POSSIBLY SAFE when given as an injection under the skin for up to 5 doses spread 2-4 weeks apart. The injections can cause irritation, swelling, redness, itching, burning, bruising, and pain at the injection site. These side effects usually go away over a period of several days. Sometimes, phosphatidylcholine might cause gastrointestinal upset, like bloating, diarrhea, and nausea.
If phosphatidylcholine is injected directly into a non-cancerous fatty tumor (lipoma), it might cause a reaction that could make the tumor more fibrous, needing surgery to remove it.
When applied to the skin: Phosphatidylcholine is POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin for up to 12 weeks.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy: Phosphatidylcholine is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth.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.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
- A type of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis). Research suggests that taking various types of phosphatidylcholine daily for up to 3 months improves symptoms in people with ulcerative colitis.
Possibly ineffective Effectiveness definitions
- Swelling (inflammation) of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (hepatitis A). Taking phosphatidylcholine by mouth does not seem to improve liver function in people with hepatitis A.
- Infant development. Taking phosphatidylcholine during pregnancy does not seem to improve the brain development of the infant.
- Improving a medical procedure called peritoneal dialysis. Taking phosphatidylcholine by mouth does not seem to improve a medical procedure called peritoneal dialysis.
- A movement disorder often caused by antipsychotic drugs (tardive dyskinesia). Taking phosphatidylcholine by mouth does not seem to improve tardive dyskinesia.
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
- Acne. Early research suggests that applying a cream containing 4% niacinamide and phosphatidylcholine to the skin seems to improve acne in some people.
- Liver disease in people who drink alcohol. Early research suggests that taking phosphatidylcholine daily for 24 months does not increase survival in people with liver disease who drink alcohol.
- Reducing fat deposits. Early research suggests that injections of phosphatidylcholine under the skin may make fatty deposits on the chin, thigh, hips, abdomen, back, neck, and elsewhere look smaller to some people. Improvements appear to last for 2-3 years or longer. In one study, 80% of patients reported improvements in facial fat that lasted for up to 3 years. However, these results have been questioned because the studies were not well designed.
- Reduced brain function in people with advanced liver disease (hepatic encephalopathy). Research suggests that taking phosphatidylcholine daily for 6-8 weeks does not improve declining brain function in people with liver disease or liver failure.
- Swelling (inflammation) of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (hepatitis B). Studies of phosphatidylcholine for hepatitis B show conflicting results. It is not clear if phosphatidylcholine is beneficial.
- Swelling (inflammation) of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus (hepatitis C). Early research suggests that taking phosphatidylcholine by mouth, together with interferon, seems to improve liver function in people with hepatitis C.
- High levels of lipoproteins in the blood (hyperlipoproteinemia). Early research suggests that taking phosphatidylcholine does not reduce lipoprotein levels in people with hyperlipoproteinemia.
- Non-cancerous fatty tumors (lipomas). There is one report that injecting a phosphatidylcholine solution directly into a lipoma can shrink the tumor by about 35%. However, this treatment might cause an unwanted reaction in the lipoma.
- Build up of fat in the liver in people who drink little or no alcohol (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD). Early research suggests that taking phosphatidylcholine might improve liver function in people with NAFLD.
- Memory. There is early evidence that taking a single 25 mg dose of phosphatidylcholine can improve some measures of memory in healthy college students.
- Eyelid fat. There is some evidence that injecting a phosphatidylcholine solution reduces bulging lower eyelid fat pads in some people.
- Aging.
- Diseases, such as Alzheimer disease, that interfere with thinking (dementia).
- Chest pain (angina).
- Anxiety.
- Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis).
- Bipolar disorder.
- Gallbladder disease.
- High cholesterol.
- Narrowing of blood vessels that causes poor blood flow to the limbs (peripheral arterial disease).
- High levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia).
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
ADULTS
BY MOUTH:
ADULTS
BY MOUTH:
- A type of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis): 1-6 grams daily taken in 4 divided doses.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if Phosphatidylcholine interacts with any medicines. Before taking Phosphatidylcholine, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
The body makes a chemical called acetylcholine from phosphatidylcholine. Acetylcholine is important for memory and other functions in the body. Phosphatidylcholine might help to protect the wall of the large intestine in people with a type of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis).
Products
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Practitioner product
Per 5 mL (Peppermint):
Practitioner product
Per 5 mL (Peppermint):
- Lecithin 1.5 g equiv. phosphatidylcholine 520 mg
- Phosphatidylserine enriched soy (liquid) (Lecithin) 750 mg equiv. phosphatidylserine 150 mg
- Total Omega 3 2.3 g
- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) 346 mg
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 1.2 g
- Cholecalciferol 12.5 μg equiv. vitamin D3 500 IU
- Tocotrienols complex - palm (Vitamin E) 160 mg
Practitioner product
Per 6 g:
- Lecithin 100 mg equiv. phosphatidylcholine 20 mg
- Acetyl levocarnitine hydrochloride (Acetyl-L-carnitine) 250 mg
- Inositol 500 mg
- Choline bitartrate 350 mg equiv. choline 144 mg
- Pinus radiata ext. 50 mg
- Glycine 2 g
- Taurine 500 mg
- Calcium citrate 415 mg equiv. calcium 100 mg
- Potassium citrate 207 mg equiv. potassium 75 mg
- Magnesium citrate 842 mg equiv. magnesium 130 mg
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 31 mg equiv. zinc 10 mg
- Molybdenum trioxide 33 μg equiv. molybdenum 22.2 μg
- Selenomethionine 74.4 μg equiv. selenium 30 μg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 15.7 mg equiv. pyridoxine 10 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 15 mg
- Menaquinone 7 (Vitamin K2) 34.8 μg
- Hydroxocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 200 μg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 20 mg
- Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) 24.6 μg equiv. vitamin D 1000 IU
- Calcium folinate (Activated folate) 217 μg equiv. folinic acid 200 μg
- Retinol acetate (Vitamin A) 461 μg equiv. vitamin A 400 μgRE equiv. vitamin A 1335 IU
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 6.54 mg
- Punica granatum ext. 8.04 mg
- Vaccinium myrtillus ext. 2.5 mg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 12.7 mg
Practitioner product
Practitioner product
Practitioner product
Per tablet:
- Phosphatidylserine enriched soy powder (Lecithin) 141.43 mg equiv. phosphatidylserine 100 mg
- L-ornithine monohydrochloride 255.07 mg equiv. ornithine 200 mg
- L-tyrosine 100 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 75 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 68.71 mg equiv. calcium 6.29 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 25 mg equiv. pyridoxine 15.95 mg
Practitioner product
Per capsule:
Practitioner product
Per tablet:
RRP: $64.96$45.46Save: 30%
Per tablet:
Practitioner product
RRP: $44.95$38.21Save: 15%
Discontinued by Wonder Foods
Per 10 g:
- Lecithin 725 mg
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) 1 g
- Chlorella pyrenoidosa powder 333 mg
- Wheatgrass powder 333 mg
- Inulin (Dietary fibre) 800 mg
- Lactobacillus acidophilus 5 billion CFU
- Bifidobacterium bifidum 3 billion CFU
- Bifidobacterium lactis 5 billion CFU
- Bifidobacterium longum 1 billion CFU
- Cynara scolymus powder 500 mg
- Hordeum vulgare 200 mg
- Malus (Apple) 200 mg
- Brassica oleracea (leaf & sprout) powder (Kale) 100 mg
- Ananas comosus (Pineapple) 240 mg
- Spinacia oleracea (Spinach) 67 mg
- Beta glucan 50 mg
- Resveratrol 10 mg
- Ananas comosus (Bromelain) 65 mg
- Linum usitatissimum (seed) (Flaxseed) 400 mg
- Oryza sativa (Rice bran) 500 mg
- Pea protein isolate 1 g
- R-alpha lipoic acid 67 mg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 400 µg
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) 5.3 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 567 µg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 434 µg
- Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) 1.7 mg
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 0.8 µg
- Ergocalciferol (Vitamin D) 3.8 µg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 333 mg
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate (Vitamin E) 100 mg
- Ubidecarenone (Coenzyme Q10) 8 mg
- Copper gluconate 225 µg
- Potassium phosphate - dibasic 104 mg
- Folic acid 67 µg
- Biotin 10 µg
- Silica - colloidal anhydrous 14 mg
- Magnesium citrate 42 mg
- Zinc amino acid chelate 10 mg
- Chromium picolinate 10 µg
- Calcium citrate 132 mg
- Manganese amino acid chelate 1.4 mg
- Selenomethionine (Selenium) 30 µg
- Beta-carotene (Carotenoids) 1.7 mg
- Citrus bioflavonoids (Hesperidin) 500 mg
- Citric acid anhydrous 150 mg
- Rosmarinus officinalis powder 68 mg
- Taraxacum officinale ext. 33 mg
- Vaccinium myrtillus powder 200 mg
- Glycyrrhiza glabra powder 67 mg
- Crataegus monogyna ext. 29 mg
- Astragalus membranaceus ext. 67 mg
- Vitis vinifera ext. 67 mg
- Camellia sinensis ext. 67 mg
- Ganoderma lucidum powder 21 mg
- Lentinula edodes powder 21 mg
- Aloe barbadensis ext. 500 mg
- Zingiber officinale powder 67 mg
- Eleutherococcus senticosus ext. 1 g
- Centella asiatica ext. 67 mg
- Withania somnifera ext. 67 mg
- Silybum marianum ext. 67 mg
- Arctium lappa ext. 21 mg
- Rosa canina powder 168 mg
- Lycium barbarum 33 mg
- Beta vulgaris (root) powder (Beetroot) 167 mg
- Daucus carota powder (Carrot) 83 mg
- Carica papaya (Papain) 250 mg
- Laminaria digitara (Kelp) 8 mg
- Natural vanilla flavour
- Natural pineapple flavour
- Thaumatin
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Luo Han Guo (fruit) ext. (Monk fruit)
- Xanthan gum
- Brassica oleracea var. italica powder 150 mg
- Malpighia glabra ext. 267 mg
- Theobroma cacao powder 100 mg
1 kg
RRP: $226.40$147.16Save: 35%
Per 37.5 g:
- Lecithin 250 mg
- L-leucine 1.67 g
- Lysine hydrochloride 451.28 mg equiv. l-lysine 361 mg
- L-isoleucine 450 mg
- L-valine 450 mg
- L-phenylalanine 200 mg
- Cysteine hydrochloride 209.63 mg equiv. l-cystine 139 mg
- L-methionine 120 mg
- L-tyrosine 112.5 mg
- Histidine hydrochloride 181.69 mg equiv. l-histidine 150 mg
- L-aspartic acid 111 mg
- L-proline 111 mg
- L-serine 27.75 mg
- L-alanine 27.75 mg
- L-glycine 27.75 mg
- Taurine 11 mg
- Carnitine tartrate 10.99 mg equiv. l-carnitine 7.5 mg
- Zinc sulphate monohydrate 5.66 mg equiv. zinc 2.08 mg
- Sodium ascorbate (Vitamin C) 22.5 mg equiv. ascorbic acid 20 mg
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acetate 10.01 mg equiv. vitamin E 10 IU
- Retinol palmitate 462 μg equiv. vitamin A 833.33 IU
- Cholecalciferol 1.65 μg equiv. vitamin D3 66 IU
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 2 μg
- L-glutamine 2.22 g
- L-threonine 200 mg
- Ferrous fumarate 4.6 mg equiv. iron 1.5 mg
- Manganese sulphate monohydrate 1.04 mg equiv. manganese 0.33 mg
- Selenomethionine 37.5 μg equiv. selenium 11.53 μg
- Copper sulphate pentahydrate 675 μg equiv. copper 167 μg
- Molybdenum trioxide 11.25 μg equiv. molybdenum 8 μg
- Chromium picolinate 105 μg equiv. chromium 13 μg
- Potassium iodide 225 μg equiv. iodine 17 μg
- Borax 2.25 mg equiv. boron 250 μg
- Choline bitartrate 80.89 mg equiv. choline 33.25 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 3.25 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 777 μg equiv. pyridoxine 650 μg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 500 μg
- Thiamine nitrate (Vitamin B1) 616 μg equiv. thiamine 500 μg
- Levomefolate glucosamine (Activated folate) 15 μg equiv. levomefolic acid 5 μg
- Biotin 50 μg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 3.56 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 3.25 mg
- Phytomenadione (Vitamin K1) 10 μg
- Glucose monohydrate (Dextrose) 12.5 g
- Potassium citrate 403 mg equiv. potassium 145.75 mg
- Folic acid 30.76 μg
- Calcium glycerophosphate 392.66 mg equiv. calcium 75 mg
- Calcium phosphate 62.7 mg equiv. calcium 25 mg
- Magnesium glycerophosphate 50.1 mg equiv. magnesium 6.26 mg
- Magnesium citrate 166.65 mg equiv. magnesium 27 mg
Practitioner product
Per 35.2 g:
- Sunflower lecithin 250 mg
- L-glutamine 2.22 g
- L-leucine 1.67 g
- Lysine hydrochloride 451.02 mg equiv. l-lysine 361 mg
- L-isoleucine 450 mg
- L-valine 450 mg
- L-phenylalanine 200 mg
- L-threonine 200 mg
- Cysteine hydrochloride 180.82 mg equiv. cysteine 139 mg
- L-methionine 120 mg
- L-tyrosine 112.5 mg
- Histidine hydrochloride 185.22 mg equiv. l-histidine 150 mg
- L-aspartic acid 111 mg
- L-proline 111 mg
- L-serine 27.75 mg
- L-alanine 27.75 mg
- Glycine 27.75 mg
- Taurine 11 mg
- Zinc sulphate monohydrate 5.7 mg equiv. zinc 2.08 mg
- Sodium ascorbate (Vitamin C) 22.5 mg equiv. ascorbic acid 20 mg
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acetate 10.5 mg equiv. vitamin E 10 IU
- Retinol palmitate (Vitamin A) 461 µg equiv. vitamin A 252 µg equiv. vitamin A 833.33 IU
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 2 µg
- Carnitine tartrate 10.99 mg equiv. l-carnitine 7.5 mg
- Potassium citrate 402.65 mg equiv. potassium 145.75 mg
- Magnesium citrate 166.67 mg equiv. magnesium 26.99 mg
- Ferrous fumarate 4.6 mg equiv. iron 1.5 mg
- Manganese sulphate monohydrate 10.14 mg equiv. manganese 0.33 mg
- Selenomethionine 28.59 µg equiv. selenium 11.54 µg
- Copper sulphate pentahydrate 654.7 µg equiv. copper 167 µg
- Molybdenum trioxide 10.56 µg equiv. molybdenum 8 µg
- Chromium picolinate 105.6 µg equiv. chromium 13 µg
- Potassium iodide 22 µg equiv. iodine 17 µg
- Borax 2.20 mg equiv. boron 250 µg
- Choline bitartrate 80.89 mg equiv. choline 33.25 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 3.25 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 770.9 µg equiv. pyridoxine 650 µg
- Cholecalciferol 1.65 µg equiv. vitamin D3 66 IU
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 500 µg
- Thiamine nitrate (Vitamin B1) 616 µg equiv. thiamine 500 µg
- Folic acid 31.27 µg
- Levomefolate glucosamine (Activated folate) 8.34 µg equiv. levomefolic acid 4.5 µg
- Biotin 50 µg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 3.55 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 3.25 mg
- Phytomenadione (Vitamin K1) 10 µg
- Glucose monohydrate 12.5 g
- Magnesium glycerophosphate 50.12 mg equiv. magnesium 6.27 mg
- Calcium glycerophosphate 392.73 mg equiv. calcium 75.01 mg
- Calcium phosphate 62.62 mg equiv. calcium 24.99 mg
Practitioner product
Per 15 g (Rich Chocolate):
- Sunflower lecithin 200 mg
- Pea protein isolate 8.3 g
- Lactobacillus acidophilus 1.5 billion CFU
- Bifidobacterium lactis 1.5 billion CFU
- Marine algae 500 mg
- Linum usitatissimum (seed) (Flaxseed) 250 mg
- Spinacia oleracea (Spinach) 100 mg
- Beta vulgaris (root) powder (Beetroot) 100 mg
- Daucus carota powder (Carrot) 100 mg
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) 100 mg
- Wheatgrass powder 100 mg
- Zingiber officinale powder 40 mg
- Ribes nigrum powder 200 mg
- Vitis vinifera powder 200 mg
- Malpighia glabra powder 100 mg
- Lycium chinese powder 100 mg
- Vaccinium myrtillus powder 100 mg
- Bacopa monnieri powder 50 mg
- Taraxacum officinale powder 30 mg
- Malus (fibre) powder (Apple) 640 mg
- Apple pectin 200 mg
- Plantago ovata (husk) (Psyllium) 100 mg
- Citric acid anhydrous 150 mg
- Citrus bioflavonoids extract 70 mg
- Ananas comosus (Bromelain) 30 mg
- R,S-alpha lipoic acid 20 mg
- Beta glucan 8 mg
- Dunaliella salina 8 mg
- Lutein 2 mg
- Zeaxanthin (Carotenoids) 400 µg
- Natural chocolate flavour
- Calcium citrate
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Zinc gluconate
- d-alpha-Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
- Thaumatin
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3)
- Manganese gluconate
- D-calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5)
- Tocopherols concentrate - mixed (Vitamin E)
- Selenomethionine (Selenium)
- Retinyl palmitate (Vitamin A)
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1)
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)
- Folate
- Chromium picolinate
- Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3)
- Fucus vesiculosus powder 98 mg
- Stevia rebaubiana powder
- Phytomenadione (Vitamin K1)
- Copper
- Calendula officinalis powder
- Biotin
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)
- Theobroma cacao powder 2.1 g
- Brassica oleracea var. acephala powder 100 mg
- Carica papaya 50 mg
- Hordeum vulgare 100 mg
- Natural vanilla flavour
- Potassium phosphate - dibasic
- Magnesium gluconate
RRP: $45.00$36.91Save: 18%
Practitioner product
Practitioner product
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This monograph was last reviewed on 30/04/2023 10:00:00 and last updated on 30/11/2021 04:49:40. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
