Phosphatidyl Choline is a membrane component.

     It is present in all cells.  The benefits of Phosphatidyl Choline, taken                                          as a dietary supplement, are many:

  •  Liver:  detoxification, alcohol and fatty liver, cirrhosis, decreases risk of                      gallstones
  •   Heart: Increases HDL, decreases triglycerides, oxidized lipids and                         blood viscosity.  Mobilizes cholesterol from arterial walls and decreases           atherosclerosis risk
    •    Diabetes:  Decreases fasting blood  glucose,  protects pancreatic beta  cells,                             delays and  inhibits vascular damage.
    •    Eyesight:  Improves phase contrast eyesight scores
    •     Neurological:  MS
    •      Dermatological:  Psoriasis
    •      Kidney
    •      Gastrointestinal   
    •      Pulmonary

                                      The Cell Membrane Is The Essence Of Life

It provides the biological packaging of the cell and is where all the signals to and from the cell are processed. All cells build their membranes with phospholipids (Phosphatidyl choline, Phos-ethanolamine, Phos- inositol, and Phos-serine).

Phosphatidyl choline (PC) makes up 50% of the membrane and the body needs a continuous supply to maintain our health.  All cells can build phosphlipids, unless aging or illness slows down the process.  When we lose Phosphatidyl choline in the cells, we lose the ability of the cell membranes to carry messages, and this increases cell death.

Biochem et. Biophysica Acta  P1585 (2002) 87 – 96.

In a study in 1085 by Yechiel and Barenholtz, rat heart cells were seen to become completely rejuvenated when PC was added to the cultures of cells that were all but expired.  Heart cells outside the body in a dish can agglomerate (bind together) and begin beating.  cells in the dish that was denied PC, began beating slower and slower and some had stopped beating.  Adding PC to the culture dish broght the cells back to beating at 160 beats per minute again.

 

To derive benefit from a Phosphadidyl Choline (PC) supplement, it must be in the liposomal form. A liposome is a bilayer with the fatty tails facing toward each other, and the water soluble parts of each fatty acid molecule toward outer and inner aspects of the liposome.  It will blend with pure water because of this and is like an under water bubble.  It will also fuse easily with the cell membrane and be absorbed intact. Therefore it can easily become part of the cell or can even be used to deliver substances into the cell.

    Triple Lecithin Is Clearly Not A Health Food!

The majority of what is sold on the market today is lecithin, not PC.  Lecithin is a byproduct of soybean oil manufacture.  PC comes from Lecithin but is not the same as lecithin.

The manufacturers add oil to “fluidize” the substance for encapsulation and concentrate the PC in the lecithin to 34% (triple lecithin)  because then they are allowed to call it PC.    This is are sold in bulk to vitamin companies, which repackage it under their own labels.

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The problem is that the oil added to the lecithin destroys the liposomal structure. It is therefore degraded in the gut and the body is then only left with the components.  Triple lecithin does not raise the PC level in the cell membranes. Therefore, triple lecithin, labeled as PC,  doesn’t give the benefits of PC, and may have risks!

Triple lecithin is clearly not a health food, as claimed, but most products labeled Phosphatidyl Choline are really triple lecithin and most even cost the same as the real thing!

    Triple lecithin definitely has a downside! 

One component of the PC in triple lecithin is Choline. This is released from the molecule during digestion.

A recent study in humans,  funded by the National Institutes of Health, stated that Choline, when acted on by bowel bacteria, causes the release of a toxic substance (TMAO) in the blood, which raises the risk of heart disease.

      N. Engl J Med 2013 Apr 25;368(17):1575-84

                            When We Lose PC
                The Game Of Life Is Winding Down! 

However, liposomal Phosphatidyl Choline has all the benefits described and does not raise Choline levels because the liposome is taken into the cells intact and therefore the Choline is not separated from the molecule to raise blood levels.
According to Ed and Patricia Kane, lipid biochemists, there are only 3 brands on the market which contain liposomal Phosphatidyl Choline.

Link below to Ed Kane’s excellent video.         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFe7sFxIiLM