Phosphatidyl Choline's many benefits (mainly focused on liver protection)

Goldenrod

Goldenrod

Well-known member
Staff member
There are parts of papers in this opinion based write up. Parts of studies, from naturopathic books, etc. Everyone should do their own research and make a decision if it is right for them.
It is one of the main three supplements I used to heal my fatty liver and bring my liver enzymes back into range. I was 'lucky' enough to get a virus(Mono) that attacks the liver periodically and it kicked the shit out of mine - it took years of supplement/peptides tests, blood work, and notes to determine what worked for me and what didn't regardless of what was written on the internet and in my medical books.
Phosphatidyl Choline (PC) is one of the top three supplements I use for liver protection and always will. I do not take it year round but regularly take 420 MG twice a day for 3 months at a time and then swap it out for something out. I wouldn't hesitate to take more but that is a dosage that works for me.

Choline/inositol/Methionine (particularly the former two) were known old school supplements to take after a cycle or during depending on your philosophy. I don't get after - you need it during but that is a different convo. Anyway, PC outperformed choline in multiple studies for liver protection against liver toxic substances. Read the health section - I posted them there. I am not posting again.

PC can help with hepatic inflammation, detoxify against harmful substances and reduce liver enzymes - site the source right. Go to any decent browser and read. In particular it was of interest to me because of the baboon study that is as close to humans as you can get with choline and turning the baboons into alcoholics (cruel but the did it anyway - cocksuckers as when they with held the choline the baboons ended up with cirrhosis) and then I went down the rabit hole between choline and PC and discovered, according to studies PC outperformed choline. Further, it performed well in studies in particular for fatty liver which isn't usually but can cause serious illness or death.
I'm not going to go down the path of animal abuse for the betterment of humans or I will start to rant.

1. It is well known as a supplement for your brain - never a bad thing. I know I can use it.
2. It may aid in liver repair - again with this lifestyle and for me, very important and yes it worked but no, I am not saying it is the number one supplement for liver issues. each liver issue is unique and I am not qualified to state such a thing.
3. I have found evidence - go look, I am not listing a dozen links, that is has a protective effect on the lining of the stomach for NSAIDS. There is evidence that PC may prevent NSAID stomach lining damage. NSAIDS work great for aches and pains but long term use / high dosages are not good for your kidneys and have a bleeding risk.
4. @Sorbate - found studies (2010) in a book helped people with ulcerative colitis.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of phosphatidylcholine as adjunctive therapy in improving liver function tests in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic comorbidities: real-life observational study from Russia

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of abnormal results of liver function tests. Earlier research showed that polyenylphosphatidylcholine (PPC) has hepatoprotective effects and thus can be used for the treatment of NAFLD ...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Here is one link with a human study in Russia.

Do your own research, make healthy/educated decisions and decide if it is right for you. It will always be in my cupboard. It is part of my regular liver 'cleanse' if there is actually such a thing. Increase glutatathione, reduce inflammation, and help keep your liver free of fatty deposits and provide added protection against the onslaught of regular life and the poisons you liver puts up with. Forget PED's - just regular life and OTC drugs can be liver toxic. Acetaminophen is a miracle drug for a fever but in higher doses/long term usage is poison to the liver and kills more people from acute liver failure related deaths than any other drug.

Not a doctor / not medical advice.
Just information to consider.

GR
 
I'll have to look into it. I just started on milk thistle I'll go for a while and see how it goes.
 
@Goldenrod
Good stuff as usual Sir.
My Liver (and kidneys) is doing just fine lately even though I've been overusing tylenol and Ibuprofen for far too long. I do use a bunch of the supps that you have mentioned here over the last few years which I'm sure have mitigated the effects of my overuse (ok abuse).
I have a question that I'm curious about and would ask you to consider separate from my personal case as described if you would like to comment.

Q - So for someone who currently has a healthy liver does this or any supp have use as a prophylactic treatment? For example someone who has decent bloodwork and other indications but was intending to use something known as liver unfriendly in the future. IOW can you get your liver in extraordinarily good shape via supps or other methods in anticipation of upcoming stress? Kinda like getting in shape before a fight I guess :)
 
Kind words from a wise gent so thanks.
My answer is opinion as I always have the caveat - not a doctor.
Your going to know a lot of what I am about to say already but for anyone who doesn't...the liver is one of the few organs that can regenerate / rebuild itself so the answer is yes. Are a bunch of supplements required, probably not - there are excellent foods that have been proven scientifically to protect your liver from the daily onslaught of cleaners, chemicals, toxins in our air, food, water, etc. That being said, I am of the school of thought the liver can be prepped for more work albeit only so much work. Every organ, like a muscle, has a breaking point and you may still bounce back but will be watching your liver for stress and issues for the rest of your life. I damaged my liver when I had Mono and it takes less stress than the average guy who never had an issue albeit my liver enzymes and ultrasounds are all perfect.

If we think of it as taking a compound that will increase our BP to unhealthy issues, we will take BP supplements or medications to mitigate the increase. The same can be said for liver issues. NSAIDS, albeit anything abused, can be hard on the liver, are more apt to cause bleeding and kidney issues which could be irreversible. At least it might require dietary changes for a person with kidney issues. I use curcumin (injectable) as like you - not a kid anymore and need something for pain. I inject a concoction that works great EOD. If you want to discuss it reach out and I will send you my mix. I get it from INNO because they make some compounds that are great for pain.

Anyway - some coaches, who I think are wrong, will tell you to run your cycle including the liver toxic substances and then take your time off and start your liver supplements. That is sort of like saying lets give you some arsenic and if your body handles it and no damage is done, we will try to help you heal. A 'Canadian Guru' when asked online said he recommend milk thistle after, but never during? That was it - this came from someone who was interviewed as a 'Canadian Guru'.
Anyway, the coaches I know personally always include a section for your liver, lipids, BP, heart, kidneys, etc. during the cycle.

Daily Tylenol or over use of Tylenol just once (high doses albeit it unlikely once would do that to you) can deplete your stores of glutathione and do permanent damage. Your question - yes, you can prime your body to be ready for the onslaught of compounds to come. Will they work? That is a different question. What I do know is the best way I know to protect your liver is:
1. Limit the amount of of any liver toxic substances.
2. Keep antioxidants high to kill the free radicals that will damage your liver - in particular glutathione which is easy to do. Don't ever take glutathione unlesss you can get an IV of it - oral is pretty much useless. NAC/SAM-e/other supps will prime your body to make more when it is low. NAC is used for Tylenol poisoning for this very reason but they now know Melatonin works even better.
3. Most inflammation is your enemy so take something for inflammation. I use ginger and cucrcumin but I am sure there are other excellent ones. I can take aspirin (low dose)again and there is a ton of evidence that low dose aspirin daily prevents liver damage / liver cancer. I assume that is due to the anti-inflammatory effects or is it because people who use aspirin are not using acetaminophen? F if I know but why does low dose aspirin significantly reduce your chances of bowel cancer? In many ways it is a magic drug albeit it carries side effect risks.

If you are going to hammer your liver and want a short list of supplements that won't break your bank let me know and I am happy to list them albeit that does not mean it will work.

I look at it this way and maybe I'm wrong but I still do - radiation has memory. One CT scan, probably no big deal but get 100 and you will probably get cancer from the radiation or have radiation poisoning that requires treatment. I had many CT scans and each time I took supplements that I know will help rid the body of the radiation and protect the vital organs that are easily damaged. Am I providing 100% protection - not a chance but I believe I am mitigating the risk of issues down the road if I get cancer and need a CT scan 5 times for diagnoses and then every 2-5 years thereafter.

Long answer brother - hard one but I think the answer is yes. The liver is remarkable.
 
@gondar1 - here is an interesting example slightly off topic. The use of NAC prior to imaging that causes contrast induced nephropathy. There is no much contradicting evidence with one study showing protection for the kidneys and the next shows none.
Regardless, when I have an imagine taken that involved dye (liquid toxic to the kidneys that aren't working great) you can bet I have 2400 mg of NAC in my body and a host of other supplements.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure - maybe it is overkill but how much does 4 NAC pills cost? Are there any negative side effects to taking them? No, so why not.

The fact that hospitals still don't give you a pill or tell you to take it prior makes me wonder WTF when there is enough evidence that it helps in some studies. That is good enough for me.

 
Goldenrod said:
Kind words from a wise gent so thanks.
My answer is opinion as I always have the caveat - not a doctor.
Your going to know a lot of what I am about to say already but for anyone who doesn't...the liver is one of the few organs that can regenerate / rebuild itself so the answer is yes. Are a bunch of supplements required, probably not - there are excellent foods that have been proven scientifically to protect your liver from the daily onslaught of cleaners, chemicals, toxins in our air, food, water, etc. That being said, I am of the school of thought the liver can be prepped for more work albeit only so much work. Every organ, like a muscle, has a breaking point and you may still bounce back but will be watching your liver for stress and issues for the rest of your life. I damaged my liver when I had Mono and it takes less stress than the average guy who never had an issue albeit my liver enzymes and ultrasounds are all perfect.

If we think of it as taking a compound that will increase our BP to unhealthy issues, we will take BP supplements or medications to mitigate the increase. The same can be said for liver issues. NSAIDS, albeit anything abused, can be hard on the liver, are more apt to cause bleeding and kidney issues which could be irreversible. At least it might require dietary changes for a person with kidney issues. I use curcumin (injectable) as like you - not a kid anymore and need something for pain. I inject a concoction that works great EOD. If you want to discuss it reach out and I will send you my mix. I get it from INNO because they make some compounds that are great for pain.

Anyway - some coaches, who I think are wrong, will tell you to run your cycle including the liver toxic substances and then take your time off and start your liver supplements. That is sort of like saying lets give you some arsenic and if your body handles it and no damage is done, we will try to help you heal. A 'Canadian Guru' when asked online said he recommend milk thistle after, but never during? That was it - this came from someone who was interviewed as a 'Canadian Guru'.
Anyway, the coaches I know personally always include a section for your liver, lipids, BP, heart, kidneys, etc. during the cycle.

Daily Tylenol or over use of Tylenol just once (high doses albeit it unlikely once would do that to you) can deplete your stores of glutathione and do permanent damage. Your question - yes, you can prime your body to be ready for the onslaught of compounds to come. Will they work? That is a different question. What I do know is the best way I know to protect your liver is:
1. Limit the amount of of any liver toxic substances.
2. Keep antioxidants high to kill the free radicals that will damage your liver - in particular glutathione which is easy to do. Don't ever take glutathione unlesss you can get an IV of it - oral is pretty much useless. NAC/SAM-e/other supps will prime your body to make more when it is low. NAC is used for Tylenol poisoning for this very reason but they now know Melatonin works even better.
3. Most inflammation is your enemy so take something for inflammation. I use ginger and cucrcumin but I am sure there are other excellent ones. I can take aspirin (low dose)again and there is a ton of evidence that low dose aspirin daily prevents liver damage / liver cancer. I assume that is due to the anti-inflammatory effects or is it because people who use aspirin are not using acetaminophen? F if I know but why does low dose aspirin significantly reduce your chances of bowel cancer? In many ways it is a magic drug albeit it carries side effect risks.

If you are going to hammer your liver and want a short list of supplements that won't break your bank let me know and I am happy to list them albeit that does not mean it will work.

I look at it this way and maybe I'm wrong but I still do - radiation has memory. One CT scan, probably no big deal but get 100 and you will probably get cancer from the radiation or have radiation poisoning that requires treatment. I had many CT scans and each time I took supplements that I know will help rid the body of the radiation and protect the vital organs that are easily damaged. Am I providing 100% protection - not a chance but I believe I am mitigating the risk of issues down the road if I get cancer and need a CT scan 5 times for diagnoses and then every 2-5 years thereafter.

Long answer brother - hard one but I think the answer is yes. The liver is remarkable.
Click to expand...

More of the good stuff! I'll try to fully digest that all and get back to ya soon
 
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