Lecithin consumption raises serum-free-choline levels.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Non-randomized comparative pharmacokinetic study in humans
PubMed 69151 · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(77)90067-8
What was done
Investigators measured human serum-choline concentrations over time following oral ingestion of choline chloride (2–3 g free base equivalent) versus an equivalent quantity of oral lecithin.
What was found
Thirty minutes after ingesting choline chloride, serum-choline levels increased by 86% and returned to baseline within 4 hours. Following lecithin ingestion, serum-choline levels increased by 265% at 1 hour and remained significantly elevated for 12 hours.
Why it matters
Oral lecithin is substantially more effective at sustaining elevated circulating choline levels than choline chloride, making it a potentially superior vehicle for boosting acetylcholine precursor availability.
Limits
The abstract does not report the sample size, participant demographics, baseline health characteristics, or whether the study used a randomized crossover design. Brain acetylcholine concentrations and clinical outcomes were not directly measured in the human subjects.
Cited by
- supports Phosphatidylcholine from lecithin serves as a precursor for acetylcholine, which is utilized in vagal nerve transmission.