Lecithin or Phosphatidylcholine

By William K. Summers, MD
© William K. Summers, MD

I began research in the field of acetylcholine (ACh) neurotransmission twenty-five years ago. In English, this means studying the nerve cell network which signals each other with a chemical called ACh. This network is responsible for memory. It is like a teeter-totter. Push the pro-ACh side and memory improves. Medicines that strengthen the system, such as Cognex(r) or Aricept(r), improve memory. Push the anti-ACh side and memory deteriorates. For example, hallucinogens and sedatives impair the memory.

In the 1970's, there was excitement about phosphatidylcholine improving memory in normal volunteers. Phosphatidylcholine (PTC) is the active component in crude lecithin. It was swiftly used in cases of senile dementia (now called Alzheimer's disease). The early results were positive. The later results were "discouraging" or "disappointing". The earlier work was criticized as "flawed". PTC was "just lecithin, so not much could be expected".

What happened? Knowing their work would be challenged, why would the original French scientists not be careful in their studies? There is a pattern in science. Innovative, encouraging studies come from unknown scientists working in backwater universities. The later studies come from the more politically correct universities and institutes. Their results give innuendo and vague but harsh criticism. The initial work is discarded. Years later, the invention is resurrected by the well-known scientists. This time, the idea is widely accepted.

One example of this is the discovery of lithium's benefits for manic depression. The discovery of L-Dopa's benefits in Parkinson's Disease is another. The establishment initially discounted the use of antibiotics to treat stomach ulcers. The pattern: Discovery, Rejection, Rediscovery, and then Acceptance.

The phosphatidylcholine story fits this pattern. The "in crowd" used flawed science to discredit PTC. The original work used more than 800 mg of pure PTC per day for more than three weeks. PTC must be in high enough concentration to cross the blood brain barrier. Second, PTC must signal to the brain to produce more of a specific enzyme. This takes typically three weeks. Negative studies on PTC were flawed. Their PTC was of impure quality. It was not used for sufficient periods. The tools used by the naysayers to test memory were inadequate. Conclusion: PTC does indeed work.

I have used PTC with my Alzheimer's patients since 1980, as a supplement to the FDA-controlled drugs. I have been very happy with the results. Alone, I note tat PTC is rarely effective in serious dementias. I encourage seniors with simple memory difficulties to use PTC alone.

The correct type of PTC is essential for good results. The first type is sold in grocery stores and some pharmacies as "1,200 mg" lecithin. This crude lecithin contains between 6-9% of the active PTC (72 - 108 mg). Using simple math, it would require a minimum of eight of these horse pills to show effect. These gelcaps are really large, so this is difficult. Because the PTC is mixed in oils and fats, it actually takes twelve to sixteen of these to get pharmacological effect. Health food stores sell a second type called "triple strength" PTC. This is an improvement over the 1,200 mg lecithin. The lecithin has been deoiled. Such PTC is used as an emulsifier in foods. This product is often used as an emulsifier in chocolate production. Perhaps this is why chocolate bars seem to sharpen the memory. With an additional "ethanol extraction", manufactures can concentrate up to about 400 mg of PTC in a gelcap. It takes about six to twelve of these capsules per day to reach pharmacologic effect.

Finally, there is pharmacologic grade phosphatidylcholine. It is used in cosmetics and as an emulsifier in drugs. It is 100 % pure PTC. A 900 mg pure, prescription strength PTC gelcap is available. Pure PTC is now a bargain. Since 1976, the price of pure PTC has dropped from about one hundred dollars per pill to about seventy-five cents per gelcap. One a day for three weeks should give pharmacologic effect.

So why should one take PTC? First, the "real McCoy" gives memory enhancement. Second, it prevents nerve cell autocannibalism due to standard treatments for Alzheimer's disease. Third, PTC reverses liver injury. Fourth, for the cardiac-conscious, the bad blood lipids are lowered, if soy-based PTC is used. Egg-based PTC does not give this protection. Fifth, PTC stimulates bowel motility. This is a plus in the elderly, where constipation is common. Finally, PTC moisturizes the skin by modifying the lipid content of the skin.

So, I take my 900 mg pure PTC for the day and toast to your health.

This article written by Dr. Summers appeared in a summer 2000 issue of Prime Time - Albuquerque, NM. The NM Senior Citizen News publishes these articles monthly. You can pick up a copy of the paper at your closest New Mexico Senior Citizen Center.