Phosphatidylcholine
Phosphatidylcholine is a major phospholipid studied for liver and cognitive outcomes. Lecithin is a common food source.
Overview
What is phosphatidylcholine?
Phosphatidylcholine (sometimes known interchangeably as lecithin—although they are different) is a phospholipid found in cell membranes. It is required for cellular signalling and can be obtained from foods like soybeans and egg yolks. Lecithin can help to support optimal liver function and regulate cholesterol levels.
Dosage
A typical dose of phosphatidylcholine is 400-6,000 mg per day.
Effect graph
Effect heatmap
SupplementDEX Database
10 conditions for , and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
Database Snapshot
Most phosphatidylcholine research is concentrated in a handful of conditions.
- Ulcerative colitis accounts for 5 of 19 studies (26%).
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease accounts for 4 of 19 studies (21%).
- Hepatitis A accounts for 3 of 19 studies (16%).
- Sparse coverage remains for Acne, Dementia, Hepatic encephalopathy.
Dietary Sources
Top dietary sources
Food sources
Egg lecithin is particularly rich in phosphatidylcholine. Lecithin supplements are also derived from these food sources.
Sources include Egg yolks, Mustard seeds, Soybeans, and Sunflower seeds.
Safety
Oral phosphatidylcholine is possibly safe at doses of up to 30 grams per day for 6 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
Sources19 references
SupplementDEX uses only high-quality sources to determine supplement effectiveness.
SupplementDEX Database · Ulcerative colitis
5 references1.SupplementDEX Database: Ulcerative colitis — Delayed-Release Phosphatidylcholine Is Effective for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis: A Meta-Analysis2021
A meta-analysis of 3 RCTs found delayed-release 30% phosphatidylcholine lecithin improved ulcerative colitis remission (OR 9.68) and clinical and endoscopic outcomes versus placebo.
2.SupplementDEX Database: Ulcerative colitis — First multicenter study of modified release phosphatidylcholine "LT-02" in ulcerative colitis: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in mesalazine-refractory courses2014
In 156 ulcerative colitis patients, modified-release phosphatidylcholine LT-02 3.2 g/day for 12 weeks reduced SCCAI 51.7% versus 33.3% with placebo (p=0.030).
3.SupplementDEX Database: Ulcerative colitis — Delayed release phosphatidylcholine in chronic-active ulcerative colitis: a randomized, double-blinded, dose finding study2010
In 40 chronic-active ulcerative colitis patients, delayed-release phosphatidylcholine ≥1 g/day for 12 weeks significantly improved clinical activity index versus 0.5 g/day control.
4.SupplementDEX Database: Ulcerative colitis — Phosphatidylcholine for steroid-refractory chronic ulcerative colitis: a randomized trial2007
In 60 steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis patients, phosphatidylcholine 2 g/day for 12 weeks allowed steroid withdrawal in 80% without flare versus 10% on placebo (p<0.001).
5.SupplementDEX Database: Ulcerative colitis — Retarded release phosphatidylcholine benefits patients with chronic active ulcerative colitis2005
In 60 chronic active ulcerative colitis patients, retarded-release phosphatidylcholine 6 g/day for 3 months achieved remission in 53% versus 10% on placebo (p<0.00001).
SupplementDEX Database · Acne
1 reference6.SupplementDEX Database: Acne — Topical clindamycin 1% vs. linoleic acid-rich phosphatidylcholine and nicotinamide 4% in the treatment of acne: a multicentre-randomized trial2011
A 12-week trial found 4% nicotinamide-phospholipid emulsion slightly outperformed 1% topical clindamycin for acne on global clinical improvement and compliance.
SupplementDEX Database · Dementia
1 reference7.SupplementDEX Database: Dementia — Associations of dietary choline intake with risk of incident dementia and with cognitive performance: the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study2019
In 1259 Finnish men followed 21.9 years, highest versus lowest phosphatidylcholine intake quartile had 28% lower dementia risk (P-trend=0.02).
8.SupplementDEX Database: Hepatic encephalopathy — A pilot study of polyunsaturated phosphatidyl choline in fulminant and subacute hepatic failure1998
In fulminant and subacute hepatic failure, polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine 350 mg three times daily for 6–8 weeks sped encephalopathy recovery and lowered mortality versus control.
SupplementDEX Database · Hepatitis A
1 reference9.SupplementDEX Database: Hepatitis A — The effect of polyunsaturated phosphatidyl choline in the treatment of acute viral hepatitis1995
In 47 acute viral hepatitis patients, phosphatidylcholine 900 mg/day did not accelerate bilirubin or ALT normalization versus untreated controls over 12 weeks.
SupplementDEX Database · Hepatitis B
2 references10.SupplementDEX Database: Hepatitis B — Polyunsaturated phosphatidyl-choline and interferon alpha for treatment of chronic hepatitis B and C: a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Leich Study Group1998
In 176 chronic hepatitis B/C patients on interferon, phosphatidylcholine 1.8 g/day for 24 weeks raised biochemical response rate to 71% versus 56% with placebo (p<0.05).
11.SupplementDEX Database: Hepatitis B — Use of polyunsaturated phosphatidyl choline in HBsAg negative chronic active hepatitis: results of prospective double-blind controlled trial. See external source1982
In 15 HBsAg-negative chronic active hepatitis patients, phosphatidylcholine 3 g/day plus immunosuppression reduced histological disease activity versus immunosuppression alone.
View on PubMed1982
12.SupplementDEX Database: Hyperlipoproteinemia — Effect of polyenyl phosphatidyl choline on clofibrate-induced increase in LDL cholesterol1979
In 67 hyperlipidemic patients, polyenyl phosphatidylcholine 1.8 g/day prevented clofibrate-induced LDL cholesterol rise while maintaining lipid-lowering effects.
SupplementDEX Database · Infant development
1 reference13.SupplementDEX Database: Infant development — Phosphatidylcholine supplementation in pregnant women consuming moderate-choline diets does not enhance infant cognitive function: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial2012
In 99 pregnant women, phosphatidylcholine 750 mg/day from 18 weeks gestation did not enhance infant cognitive outcomes at 10–12 months versus placebo.
SupplementDEX Database · Lipoma
1 reference14.SupplementDEX Database: Lipoma — Histopathologic changes after intralesional application of phosphatidylcholine for lipoma reduction: report of a case2006
A case report found intralesional phosphatidylcholine for lipoma caused partial shrinkage with granulomatous inflammation and fat pseudomembranous degeneration.
SupplementDEX Database · Memory
1 reference15.SupplementDEX Database: Memory — Effect of phosphatidylcholine on explicit memory1993
In 80 college students, phosphatidylcholine 25 g raised explicit memory on serial learning at 90 minutes postingestion; 10 g showed no significant effect.
16.SupplementDEX Database: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease — Randomised trial of chronic supplementation with a nutraceutical mixture in subjects with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease2020
A 3-month RCT of 113 NAFLD patients found a nutraceutical mixture containing silymarin improved liver fat grade and metabolic markers versus control.
17.SupplementDEX Database: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease — Effectiveness of phosphatidylcholine in alleviating steatosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiometabolic comorbidities (MANPOWER study)2020
In 2843 NAFLD patients, phosphatidylcholine 1.8 g three times daily for 24 weeks improved liver echogenicity in 68.3% as adjunct to standard care in an observational study.
18.SupplementDEX Database: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease — Effects of phytosomal curcumin on anthropometric parameters, insulin resistance, cortisolemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease indices: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial2019
In 80 overweight adults, phytosomal curcumin with phosphatidylcholine for 8 weeks improved insulin, HOMA-IR, waist circumference, liver enzymes, and cortisol versus placebo.
19.SupplementDEX Database: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease — Silybin combined with phosphatidylcholine and vitamin E in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled trial2012
In 179 NAFLD patients, silybin with phosphatidylcholine and vitamin E for 12 months improved liver enzymes, HOMA, and histology versus placebo.