A simple question I guess, but I'm finding it really hard to find an answer to this.
Given that Alpha GPC is essentially a form of Choline, will taking Alpha GPC supplements have the same effect on Total & LDL Cholesterol levels that taking forms of Phosphatidylcholine supposedly does (i.e., lowering them )?
I've searched all over the place to try to find an answer to this, but it's proving kinda elusive.
Anyway, any help with this would be really appreciated ~ thanks! :D
I don't think so. Steve Harris said PC's cholesterol effect came from its omega 6 content, which GPC lacks. This review backs him up.
Am J Clin Nutr. 1989 Feb;49(2):266-8.
Lecithin intake and serum cholesterol.
Knuiman JT, Beynen AC, Katan MB.
Department of Human Nutrition, Agricultural University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
To find out whether the consumption of lecithin has a more beneficial effect on serum cholesterol than does the consumption of equivalent amounts of polyunsaturated oils, we scrutinized 24 studies on the effect of supplementary lecithin intakes ranging from 1 to 54 mg/d. Most of the studies lacked an appropriate control group, had a small sample size, or had changes in intake of other foods because of increased energy intake from lecithin. In only four trials were attempts made to balance fatty acid intakes of control and experimental groups. There is no evidence for a specific effect of lecithin on serum cholesterol independent of its linoleic acid content or secondary changes in food intake. The observed lecithin-induced hypocholesterolemic effects found in various studies were artifacts caused by the design and the manner of data analysis, were mediated by other dietary changes, or were due to the linoleic acid present in lecithin.
PMID: 2916447