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Supplements/Compound

Phosphatidylcholine (PC)

Major brain and hepatic phospholipid often given for liver support.

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Overview

Major brain and hepatic phospholipid often given for liver support.

Natural sources
  • Endogenously produced or biosynthesized molecule
  • Standardized pharmaceutical- or food-grade supplement
  • Combined with cofactors that improve absorption or activity
Common forms
  • Capsule or softgel
  • Powder
  • Sublingual or buccal
  • Liposomal liquid

Mechanism of action

Structural phospholipid; supports hepatocyte membrane repair and VLDL export.

Pathways
  • · Structural phospholipid
  • · supports hepatocyte membrane repair
  • · VLDL export

Effects on the body

Supports
liver function in TPN-associated hepatopathy

Organ system effects

Liver

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) supports hepatocyte antioxidant defenses (glutathione, Nrf2) and phase-I/II detoxification.

Brain & CNS

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) acts on central nervous system targets implicated in attention, memory, and neuroprotection.

Evidence-based benefits

Improves liver function in TPN-associated hepatopathy

Moderate evidence

Potential side effects

Common
  • · GI upset
Rare
    Serious

      Drug interactions

      Prescription medications (general)
      Always disclose Phosphatidylcholine (PC) use to your prescriber — additive, antagonistic, or pharmacokinetic interactions are possible.
      minor

      Supplement interactions

      Pairs well with
      • Milk thistle (silymarin)
        Complementary hepatoprotective antioxidant pathways.
      • NAC
        Restores hepatic glutathione.
      • Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)
        Membrane fluidity and neuronal signaling support.
      Avoid combining with

      No specific avoidances listed.

      Dosing & bioavailability

      Typical dose
      900–1800 mg
      Best form
      Most evidence is based on the capsule or softgel form.
      Timing
      Consistent daily timing recommended; split larger doses if GI tolerance is a concern.
      With food?
      With food

      Where to buy

      Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Amazon code supplementsch-20 is auto-applied at checkout. We don't endorse specific brands; verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

      Scientific evidence8Show studies
      RCTAlcohol Clin Exp Res · 2003

      Polyenylphosphatidylcholine in alcoholic liver disease

      Lieber CS, et al.

      2-year DB-RCT in 789 patients with alcoholic liver disease.

      Key findings

      No fibrosis change overall; subgroup with continued drinking benefited.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Phosphatidylcholine (PC) — Improves liver function in TPN-associated hepatopathy

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Phosphatidylcholine (PC) Improves liver function in TPN-associated hepatopathy" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Phosphatidylcholine (PC) and "Improves liver function in TPN-associated hepatopathy". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Phosphatidylcholine (PC) — randomized controlled trial

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Phosphatidylcholine (PC) randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Phosphatidylcholine (PC) and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Phosphatidylcholine (PC) — meta-analysis

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Phosphatidylcholine (PC) meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Phosphatidylcholine (PC) and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Phosphatidylcholine (PC) — pharmacokinetics

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Phosphatidylcholine (PC) pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Phosphatidylcholine (PC) and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Phosphatidylcholine (PC) — safety adverse events

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Phosphatidylcholine (PC) safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Phosphatidylcholine (PC) and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Phosphatidylcholine (PC) — dose response

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Phosphatidylcholine (PC) dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Phosphatidylcholine (PC) and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

      Google Scholar: Phosphatidylcholine (PC) — clinical evidence

      Live Scholar search

      Cross-database citation index for Phosphatidylcholine (PC) as it relates to "clinical evidence".

      Key findings

      Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

      Open study
      Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.

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