Phosphatidylcholine

Table of Contents

Other names

PC
Lecithin Phospholipid
Choline Phospholipid
Alpha-Glycerylphosphorylcholine (precursor form)

Synopsis

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is a major phospholipid component of cell membranes and a key molecule in lipid metabolism, liver function, brain health, and cellular integrity. It consists of choline bound to phosphoric acid and two fatty acid chains, and occurs naturally in foods like egg yolks, soybeans, sunflower seeds, and lecithin-rich extracts. PC is also synthesized by the body and plays a critical role in maintaining membrane fluidity, neurotransmitter synthesis, and lipid transport via lipoproteins like HDL.

Medicinally, phosphatidylcholine is widely used for liver support, particularly in conditions involving fatty liver (NAFLD), alcoholic liver disease, and drug-induced liver stress. It helps protect hepatocytes, promote liver regeneration, and enhance the export of triglycerides, thus reducing hepatic fat accumulation. In intravenous or oral formulations, PC has been used to manage liver enzyme elevation, hepatitis, and liver detoxification protocols.

In neurological health, phosphatidylcholine is a precursor to acetylcholine, a key neurotransmitter involved in memory, attention, and neuromuscular function. As such, PC supplements are used in cognitive support regimens for Alzheimer’s disease, age-related memory decline, and brain fog. It also helps maintain myelin sheath integrity, potentially supporting individuals with MS or neurodegenerative conditions.

Additionally, PC plays a key role in lipid emulsification and bile flow, making it useful for gallbladder health, digestive enzyme function, and cholesterol transport. It is often included in liposomal delivery systems to enhance nutrient absorption, especially for fat-soluble vitamins and bioactive plant compounds.

Historical Use in Medicine
While phosphatidylcholine itself was identified and isolated through 20th-century lipid research, its sources—particularly lecithin—have been used for over a century. Lecithin, first isolated from egg yolk in 1847 by Theodore Gobley, was originally used in early medicine to support nervous system health, growth, and convalescence.

By the mid-1900s, lecithin extracted from soybeans and sunflower was widely used in pharmaceuticals, infant formulas, and health supplements, valued for its emulsifying properties and lipid-balancing effects. It became a common ingredient in “brain tonics” and nutritional supplements aimed at improving cognition, liver function, and cholesterol levels.

The development of purified phosphatidylcholine extracts allowed for more targeted medical applications, particularly in Europe, where intravenous PC (such as Essentiale® or Lipostabil®) has been used for liver disease, atherosclerosis, and cell membrane therapy since the 1970s.

Uses: Health Conditions

Fatty Liver Disease (Traditional)
Fatty Tumors or Deposits (Traditional)
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed) (Traditional)
Gall Stones (Traditional)
Memory and Brain Function (Traditional)

Body Systems

Acetylcholine (Science)
Brain (Science)
Liver (Science)
Mitochondria (Science)
Nerves (Science)