Soy Extract standardized to Phosphatidylcholine (PC) 90% is a soy‑derived glycerophospholipid and a major constituent of mammalian membranes. In physiology, PC supports membrane structure and lipid transport (e.g., bile mixed micelles and hepatic VLDL assembly), and it also serves as an important choline reservoir.
Specification: This product is a 90% phosphatidylcholine grade.
Phosphatidylcholine in human health (scientific context)
- Membrane structure & organelle function: PC is often the most abundant glycerophospholipid in mammalian membranes and can comprise ~40–50% of total cellular phospholipids (cell type/organelle‑dependent), contributing to bilayer stability, fluidity, and curvature needed for vesicle trafficking and organelle integrity.
- Endogenous synthesis (Kennedy pathway) & PEMT: Most nucleated cells synthesize PC via the CDP‑choline (Kennedy) pathway (CCT is a key rate‑limiting step). In liver, PEMT also generates PC from phosphatidylethanolamine, linking PC homeostasis to one‑carbon/methyl‑donor metabolism.
- Choline reservoir: PC is a major dietary/endogenous source of choline for acetylcholine synthesis and for methyl‑donor generation via betaine. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements notes that inadequate choline can contribute to liver dysfunction and fatty liver in susceptible settings.
- Lipoprotein assembly & liver lipid export: PC is required for VLDL assembly and secretion. When PC availability is insufficient, triglycerides can accumulate in hepatocytes, increasing risk of hepatic steatosis.
- Bile composition & epithelial protection: PC is a major biliary phospholipid; it forms mixed micelles with bile salts to help solubilize cholesterol and reduce bile‑salt detergent injury to the biliary epithelium.
- Pulmonary surfactant: In lung surfactant, phosphatidylcholine—especially dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC)—is a dominant phospholipid that lowers alveolar surface tension and helps prevent alveolar collapse.
- Signaling lipids: PC remodeling by phospholipases can generate bioactive lipids (e.g., lysophosphatidylcholine), linking PC metabolism to inflammation and cellular stress responses.
Evidence in clinical & translational contexts (nuanced summary)
- Ulcerative colitis (intestinal‑release PC): Delayed‑release PC formulations targeted to the colon have shown improved remission and clinical/endoscopic outcomes versus placebo in randomized trials and meta‑analysis; overall trial counts and sample sizes remain limited (and formulations differ from generic PC ingredients).
- Fatty liver / hepatic steatosis: PC‑rich “essential phospholipid” preparations have been studied as adjuncts, with some meta‑analytic evidence for improvements in liver enzymes/endpoints in certain cohorts; heterogeneity of products and study designs limits firm conclusions.
- Cardiometabolic nuance (TMAO): Gut microbial conversion of choline from dietary PC can increase trimethylamine (TMA) and trimethylamine N‑oxide (TMAO); higher circulating TMAO has been associated with cardiovascular event risk in landmark human studies. This supports a nuanced interpretation of high‑dose choline/PC supplementation, especially in cardiometabolic‑risk settings.
- Biotechnology: PC readily forms bilayers and is widely used to make liposomes for drug delivery, improving stability and modifying pharmacokinetics for some therapeutics.
Safety & practical notes
- Dietary context: PC is a natural component of foods and membranes and is generally well tolerated at typical dietary intakes.
- High‑dose choline effects: Excess choline intake (from food + supplements) may cause fishy body odor, sweating/salivation, gastrointestinal upset, hypotension, and potential liver toxicity in some cases.
- Choline upper limits: Institute of Medicine ULs are age‑dependent (e.g., 3,000 mg/day ages 14–18; 3,500 mg/day adults) and include total choline from diet plus supplements.
- Allergen note: Soy‑derived material may not be suitable for individuals with soy allergy/sensitivity.
- Use guidance: For medical conditions, pregnancy/lactation, or cardiometabolic risk, consider professional guidance before high‑dose supplementation.
