Overview

Phosphatidylcholine is a type of phospholipid that contains the nutrient choline. It is used to increase choline levels in the body. It may also be used to improve brain and gut health, but its benefits are not well defined. Phosphatidylcholine seems to be well tolerated. Before taking phosphatidylcholine, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking.

Uses

What is phosphatidylcholine used for?

Phosphatidylcholine is used to increase levels of choline in the body. The benefits of phosphatidylcholine for other uses, such as for improving brain and gut health, are not well defined.

Note: The FDA has not reviewed phosphatidylcholine for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

How does phosphatidylcholine work (mechanism of action)?

Phosphatidylcholine is a type of fatty substance called a phospholipid. Your body uses phosphatidylcholine to form the membranes that surround your cells, including your brain cells. Your liver makes phosphatidylcholine from a nutrient called choline. You also get phosphatidylcholine from lecithin, which is found in egg yolks, soybeans, and sunflower seeds. Taking phosphatidylcholine supplements can increase the levels of both choline and phosphatidylcholine in your body.

Since phosphatidylcholine plays an important role in keeping your brain cells healthy, there is interest in using it for dementia and to improve memory and thinking skills. But the benefits of taking phosphatidylcholine for brain health are not well defined.

There is also interest in using phosphatidylcholine to improve gut health and for certain gut conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Phosphatidylcholine is thought to help improve the health of the gut by increasing the stability of cell membranes. But its effects in the gut are not well understood, and it is not clear whether phosphatidylcholine is helpful for these uses.

How should I store phosphatidylcholine?

You should store phosphatidylcholine according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of phosphatidylcholine?

Phosphatidylcholine seems to be well tolerated. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that bother you.

There may be side effects of phosphatidylcholine that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of phosphatidylcholine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of phosphatidylcholine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Phosphatidylcholine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking phosphatidylcholine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Racing heart
• Fever or general ill feeling
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
• Itching or skin rash
• Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain

Precautions

Who should not use phosphatidylcholine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take phosphatidylcholine.

• Phosphatidylcholine (PC)
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific phosphatidylcholine products they stock.

What should I know about phosphatidylcholine before using it?

Phosphatidylcholine is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep phosphatidylcholine out of the reach of children.

Dietary supplements that contain phosphatidylcholine may contain either phosphatidylcholine or another substance called lecithin, which contains phosphatidylcholine. Both of these forms can increase the levels of phosphatidylcholine and choline in your body.

The FDA has not tested phosphatidylcholine products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using phosphatidylcholine?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if phosphatidylcholine is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Soy Allergy.Some phosphatidylcholine supplements contain lecithin, which may be made from soy. If you are allergic to soy, you may also have an allergy to products made from soy. But you may be able to take phosphatidylcholine supplements that are made from other sources. Read the label carefully, and talk to your health care provider before taking lecithin-based products if you have a soy allergy.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how phosphatidylcholine could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Phosphatidylcholine contains choline, which passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does phosphatidylcholine interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between phosphatidylcholine and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect phosphatidylcholine.

Does phosphatidylcholine interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

There are no known interactions between phosphatidylcholine and medicines. Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

The interactions between phosphatidylcholine and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with phosphatidylcholine is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking phosphatidylcholine with any medicines.

Dosing

What should I do if I accidentally use too much phosphatidylcholine?

If you or someone else has used too much phosphatidylcholine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Read the product label closely, and speak with a health care provider about how to take phosphatidylcholine safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.