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Formulas Mega PC-35
Sal-FreeTM
Ingredients -
Choline (from 35% PC lecithin) 114 mg 21%, Lecithin 2400 mg *,
Phosphatidylcholine 840 mg *, Phosphatidylethanolamine 120 mg *
*Daily value not established.
Other ingredients: Softgel consists of gelatin, glycerin and water.
Phosphatidyl Choline is a
purified extract of lecithin. Supplements labeled as lecithin
usually contain 10-20% Phosphatidyl Choline. When medical
researchers refer to lecithin, they are talking about Phosphatidyl Choline.
Phosphatidyl Choline is the major fat in our cell membranes and acts as a supplier of choline. Choline is
needed for cell membrane integrity and to facilitate the movement of fats
in and out of cells. It is also a component of the neurotransmitter
acetylcholine which is why it is the subject of study for a wide range of
neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Phosphatidyl choline helps to break
down fats. It is reported to be helpful in preventing hardening of the arteries
(atherosclerosis) due to fatty plaques in the blood vessels,
cholesterol,
heart disease, gallstones, liver problems (including hepatitis),
neurological disorders, memory loss and depression, high homocysteine
levels,
tardive dyskinesia, alzheimer’s disease, Bipolar disorder and eczema.
Phosphatidyl Choline is a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and PUFA's are
known to have many positive effects on health.
Eczema
A cream prepared with witch hazel (not sal-freeTM)
and Phosphatidyl Choline is as effective as hydrocortisone in the topical
management of eczema.1
Gallstones
A low lecithin concentration in the bile may be a causative
factor for many individuals with gallstones.2
Gastrointestinal Protection
Phosphatidyl choline is a main component of the gastric mucosal barrier.
Animal studies indicate that Phosphatidyl choline helps
protect against the adverse GI effects of aspirin and other non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs without blocking their efficacy.3,4,5
It may also afford some protection for those who have esophogeal reflux
from the damage of excess acid on the esophogeal lining.
Heart Disease
Phosphatidyl choline preserves the blood levels of
carnitine, one of the body's most essential heart nutrients.
Phosphatidyl choline is a fat emulsifier, breaking down fats and allowing
them to be digested better. It helps cholesterol and triglycerides remain
fluid and less likely to build up along artery walls. It has been shown to
improve the ratio between the LDL (bad cholesterol) and HDL (good
cholesterol) and to lower the LDL. For more information about cholesterol
and phosphatidyl choline, please see:
Cholesterol,
Triglycerides and Heart Support - Phosphatidyl Choline
Liver
A diet low in choline impedes the liver's ability to
process fats. Abnormal fat metabolism causes the liver to accumulate
cholesterol and triglycerides, eventually leading to fatty liver disease
which can be fatal.
Dr. Atkins reports that choline supplements can reverse fatty liver
entirely.6 He mentions one small study where CAT scans
verified that people with fatty liver disease, who took between 1-4 grams
of choline chloride daily for 6 weeks, were completely freed of their fatty
liver disease.
Phosphatidyl choline has been reported to be effective in
preventing hepatic fibrosis in chronically alcohol-fed baboons.
Memory
There is no scientific agreement on the use of
phoshphatidyl choline for Alzhiemers Disease. Several studies have
not proven it to be helpful but there is controversy about the way the
studies were conducted. According to Dr. Atkins, memory enhancement
is more obvious in people without alzhiemers disease. He mentions
one study in which considerable short term memory improvement was seen in
healthy adults when given 10 grams of choline chloride.6,7
Nutrition for the Nerves
Choline is found in breast milk. Infants need it for the production of
myelin, the protective coating around nerves and brain cells
Warnings and side effects:
Those with manic-depressive disorder should not take large amounts.
At several grams per day some people will experience abdominal discomfort,
diarrhea or nausea.
Choline (without the phosphatidyl group) is available by itself in
supplements, but taken in high doses (1 gram or more per day) it can
make one smell like fish.
Interactions with other nutrients
Pantothenic acid and phosphatidyl choline are both used by the body to
make acetylcholine.
Food sources:
Soybeans, liver, oatmeal, cabbage, cauliflower, egg yolks, meat and some
vegetables. Lecithin (contains 10-20%) PC is added to some processed
foods in small amounts for the purpose of maintaining texture.
References
1. Laux P, Oschmann R, Witch Hazel:Hamaelis
Virgincia L. Zeitschrift Phytoher, 1993 14:155-66
2. Encylopedia of Natural Medicine by Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph
Pizzorno, N.D.
3. Dunjic BS, Axelson J, Ar'Rajab A, Larsson K, Bengmark S.
"Gastroprotective capability of exogenous phosphatidylcholine in
experimentally induced chronic gastric ulcers in rats", Scand J
Gastroenterol. 1993 Jan;28(1):89-94.
Entrez PubMed
4. Leyck S, Dereu N, Etschenberg E, Ghyczy M, Graf E, Winkelmann J,
Parnham MJ., "Improvement of the gastric tolerance of non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs by polyene phosphatidylcholine (Phospholipon
100).", Eur J Pharmacol. 1985 Oct 29;117(1):35-42.
Entrez PubMed
5. Swarm RA, Ashley SW, Soybel DI, Ordway FS, Cheung LY., "Protective
effect of exogenous phospholipid on aspirin-induced gastric mucosal
injury.", Am J Surg. 1987 Jan;153(1):48-53.
Entrez PubMed
6. Robert C. Atkins, "Dr. Atkins' Vita-Nutrient Solution : Nature's
Answer to Drugs"
7. Sitaram N, Weingartner H, Gillin JC, "Human serial learning:
enhancement with arecholine and choline impairment with scopolamine.",
Science. 1978 Jul 21;201(4352):274-6.
Entrez PubMed
8.Dodson WL, Sachan DS., "Choline supplementation reduces urinary
carnitine excretion in humans.", Am J Clin Nutr. 1996 Jun;63(6):904-10.
Entrez PubMed
Before taking any supplements, consult with
your health care provider. The information presented here is not intended to
diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. We do not accept any
responsibility for the use or misuse of any of the information contained
herein.
Animal Testing Note: Web Shop Emporium
occasionally lists references to studies that have been conducted on
animals. We do not condone testing on animals but we feel it is a useless
waste of their lives to ignore the health information that has been
obtained in the past.
We subscribe to the position of many,
including
The
Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine,
that there are other, more effective means of ensuring the safety and
efficacy of medications and other products
In an effort to help end animal testing, we only list cosmetics and
supplements that have been produced by companies that do not use animal
testing in their ingredients or products unless it is required by law.
For further information on animal testing please see:
Animal testing. The basics and how to
avoid buying products that are tested on animals.
*Sal-FreeTM
and *Sal-SafeTM
are trademarked terms and are used with the permission of
Tesa Marcon of the
Guai-Support Group
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