Phosphatidyl Choline Softgels by Designs for Health

POSSIBLY EFFECTIVE

• Ulcerative colitis. Clinical research suggests that taking slow-release, phosphatidylcholine-rich phospholipids (Sterpur P-30 Granulat, Stern-Lecithin and Soja GmbH) improves symptoms and remission rate in patients with ulcerative colitis (68839,93389,93390,105728). A pooled analysis of 3 small randomized clinical trials in adults with chronic, active, ulcerative colitis at a single site shows that taking this specific form of phosphatidylcholine 1-4 grams daily for 3 months increases the odds of achieving clinical remission by 9.7 times when compared with placebo. Overall, 49% of the patients taking phosphatidylcholine achieved clinical remission. Taking phosphatidylcholine also improved quality of life and clinical improvement scores. In one study, this product also decreased the need for steroids, resulting in complete withdrawal of steroid therapy without exacerbation of disease in 80% of patients (93390). However, most patients in these studies were not treated with other standard therapies for ulcerative colitis, such as immunosuppressants and aminosalicylic acids. Subgroup analyses by dose suggest that the effective dose of this product is at least 1 gram daily; however, taking 3-4 grams daily may be more effective (93389,105728). In patients not responsive to mesalamine, some preliminary clinical research suggests taking LT-02 (Lipid Therapeutics GmbH), a modified-release formula of phosphatidylcholine, 3.2 grams daily for 12 weeks, improves symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Overall disease activity was improved by 52%, compared with 33% in those taking placebo. The effects on remission rate and mucosal healing were unclear; however, response rates were increased from 60% in the placebo group to 83% in the phosphatidylcholine group. In an 8-week follow-up, relapse was also less likely in patients treated with this product (93387).

POSSIBLY INEFFECTIVE

• Hepatitis A. Taking phosphatidylcholine orally does not seem to reduce serum bilirubin or liver enzyme levels in patients with hepatitis A (5225).
• Infant development. Clinical research suggests that taking phosphatidylcholine (PhosChol, Nutrasal) 5 grams daily, containing choline 750 mg daily, from 18 weeks' gestation to 90 days postpartum does not improve cognitive function in the infant at 10-12 months of age when compared with corn oil placebo (93386).
• Peritoneal dialysis. Taking phosphatidylcholine orally does not seem to improve ultrafiltration in peritoneal dialysis (5222).
• Tardive dyskinesia. Taking phosphatidylcholine orally does not seem to improve tardive dyskinesia (5223).

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Acne. Preliminary clinical research suggests that topical application of a cream containing niacinamide and linoleic acid-rich phosphatidylcholine (4% niacinamide-phospholipidic; N-PHCL emulsion) once daily for 12 weeks appears to improve skin hydration and reduce acne lesions and inflammation when compared with a 1% clindamycin cream or a carrier-only cream in patients 15 years and older with moderate acne (93388).
• Alcohol-related liver disease. Preliminary clinical research suggests that taking polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine 6 grams daily for 24 months does not increase survival compared to placebo in patients with acute alcoholic hepatitis (68843).
• Dementia. Population research in a sample of 1259 men in Finland found that those in the highest quartile of daily phosphatidylcholine intake have a 28% lower risk of being diagnosed with dementia than those in the lowest quartile, over a mean follow-up of about 22 years (103178).
• Fatty deposits. Preliminary clinical evidence suggests that subcutaneous injections of phosphatidylcholine can reduce localized fatty deposits on the chin, thigh, hips, abdomen, back, neck, and elsewhere, based on subjective visual assessments (15621,15625,15627). Improvements appear to last for 2-3 years or longer (15621,15627). In one study, phosphatidylcholine injections markedly or moderately reduce localized fatty deposits on the face in about 80% of patients for a period of up to 3 years based on subjective patient self-assessment (15621). The findings of these studies are severely limited by poor study quality.
• Hepatic encephalopathy. Clinical research suggests that taking polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine 1050 mg daily for 6-8 weeks, either orally or through a nasogastric tube, does not improve recovery from encephalopathy compared with control in patients with acute or subacute liver failure. However, polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine seems to reduce mortality compared to control in patients with subacute, but not acute, liver failure (68835).
• Hepatitis B. Clinical research using phosphatidylcholine for hepatitis B show conflicting results (5224,5226).
• Hepatitis C. Preliminary clinical research suggests that taking the polyunsaturated form of phosphatidylcholine orally, in combination with interferon, seems to help reduce liver enzymes in patients with chronic hepatitis C (5226).
• Hyperlipoproteinemia. Clinical research suggests that taking polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine 1.8 grams daily for 28 days in combination with clofibrate does not significantly reduce total cholesterol, triglycerides, or phospholipids compared to clofibrate alone in patients with primary hyperlipoproteinemia of Fredrickson Types II or IV. However, taking the combination of polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine plus clofibrate seems to significantly attenuate the relative increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol compared to clofibrate alone (68840).
• Lipoma. An anecdotal report suggests that injecting a phosphatidylcholine solution directly into a lipoma can shrink the tumor by about 35%. However, in this report a major inflammatory reaction occurred, resulting in undesirable fibrotic changes to the tissue and eventual surgical excision of the lipoma (15622).
• Memory. Preliminary clinical evidence shows that taking a single dose of phosphatidylcholine 25 grams (PC-55, TwinLab) can improve some measures of memory in healthy college students (5228).
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Preliminary clinical research shows that taking phosphatidylcholine 600 mg orally three times daily for 24 weeks qualitatively improves liver echogenicity and structure on an ultrasound scan, suggesting a reduction in hepatic steatosis. There is also a small decrease in liver function test values, but with considerable variability both at baseline and at 24 weeks (103176,103177). Preliminary clinical evidence also suggests that taking a combination of the milk thistle constituent silybin, phosphatidylcholine, and vitamin E (Realsil, Instituto Biochimico Italiano) orally twice daily for 12 months improves liver function tests (LFTs) and liver histology in people with NAFLD (63244).
• Periorbital fat pad herniation. Preliminary clinical research suggests that injecting a phosphatidylcholine solution markedly reduces lower eyelid fat pads in people with bulging fat pads due to herniation. In some people, benefits appeared to last for a period of 9 months to 2 years or longer (15623,15628). More evidence is needed to rate phosphatidylcholine for these uses.

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POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately. Large doses up to 30 grams per day for 6 weeks (5223) and smaller doses of up to 6 grams daily for up to 24 months have been well tolerated (68839,68843,105728). ...when used subcutaneously and appropriately, short-term. Some research suggests that subcutaneous injections of 0.2 mL to 5 mL of a 5% phosphatidylcholine solution do not cause significant serious adverse effects when doses are administered up to five times and spaced apart by 2-4 weeks (15621,15623,15624,15625). ...when used topically as an emulsion also containing niacinamide for up to 12 weeks (93388).

PREGNANCY: POSSIBLY SAFE
when used orally from 18 weeks of gestation at doses of up to 5 grams daily (93386)

LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

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General ...Phosphatidylcholine is generally well tolerated when used orally, subcutaneously, or topically. Orally, bloating, diarrhea, altered taste, nausea, vomiting, sweating, and itching have been reported with phosphatidylcholine (5229,63244,68843,93389,93390,105728). Ingesting large amounts of around 30 grams daily is associated with a higher incidence of gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea (5223). Subcutaneously, pain, burning, itching, tenderness to touch, bruising, edema, nodules, hematoma, and erythema at the injection site have been reported with phosphatidylcholine (1562,15623,15624,15625,15626,15627,15628). High subcutaneous doses exceeding 1.2 grams of phosphatidylcholine can cause nausea and abdominal pain in some people (15624). Injecting phosphatidylcholine directly into a lipoma can result in a significant inflammatory response and undesirable fibrotic tissues changes (15622).

Dermatologic ...When taken orally, phosphatidylcholine may increase sweating (5229) and itching (63244). When given subcutaneously, phosphatidylcholine can cause pain, burning, itching, tenderness to touch, bruising, edema, and erythema at the injection site. The pain, itching and erythema usually resolve within 2 days of treatment; however localized tenderness can last longer (15623,15624,15626,15627,15628). Edema and bruising usually resolve within 10 days of treatment (15621,15623,15625). Some people can also develop nodules or hematoma at the injection site. This usually resolves within 30 days (15627).

Gastrointestinal ...Ingesting large amounts of phosphatidylcholine (30 grams per day) can cause gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea (5223). However, bloating, diarrhea, altered taste, nausea, and vomiting have been reported with smaller doses (63244,68843,93389,93390,105728). Although moderate subcutaneous doses do not usually cause systemic side effects, high doses exceeding 1.2 grams of phosphatidylcholine can cause nausea and abdominal pain in some people (15624).

Musculoskeletal ...Injecting phosphatidylcholine directly into a lipoma can result in a significant inflammatory response and undesirable fibrotic tissue changes (15622).

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