What is ALPHA GPC?

Alpha GPC(L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine),is a natural choline-derived dietary compound and acetylcholine precursor.FDA  has given it the GRAS, or Generally Considered as Safe status. Therefore, in most countries it is sold without a prescription.

Choline is a very important micronutrient important for health as it is involved in functional and structural roles in cells. Choline is naturally found in the body and can be consumed through a balanced diet (i.e., dairy products, eggs, chicken breast, spinach, etc.). Choline is also a building block of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.Thus,Alpha GPC is used to increase the levels of acetylcholine.Alpha GPC does that by quickly crossing the blood-brain barrier and carrying the choline nutrient straight to neural tissues.

KEY BENEFITS of ALPHA GPC:

Improved focus & attention

Memory formation & development

Higher concentration

Enhanced learning

Better mood

Alpha GPC(L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine),is a natural choline-derived dietary compound and acetylcholine precursor.FDA  has given it the GRAS, or Generally Considered as Safe status. Therefore, in most countries it is sold without a prescription.

Choline is a very important micronutrient important for health as it is involved in functional and structural roles in cells. Choline is naturally found in the body and can be consumed through a balanced diet (i.e., dairy products, eggs, chicken breast, spinach, etc.). Choline is also a building block of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Thus, Alpha GPC is used to increase the levels of acetylcholine. Alpha GPC does that by quickly crossing the blood-brain barrier and carrying the choline nutrient straight to neural tissues.

KEY BENEFITS:

Improved focus & attention

Memory formation & development

Higher concentration

Enhanced learning

Better mood

LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF ALPHA GPC:

CHOLINERGIC ACTIVITY:

Increasing the cholinergic neurotransmission is the essential mechanism of action of Alpha GPC. Rats, subjected to 150mg/kg daily administration of Alpha GPC, have substantially increased the levels acetylcholine in the frontal cortex. The product has increased vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) expression as well as choline transporter (CHT) in every brain area that was examined by researchers. The responsibility of these cholinergic transporters is sustaining ACh synthesis and release from neurons.

Several clinical studies demonstrated the benefits of Alpha GPC in patients with cognitive dysfunctions. Therefore,Alpha GPC may reduce a decrease in cholinergic activity that occurs due to aging.

People suffering from Alzheimer’s show impaired presynaptic cholinergic function. Cholinesterase treatment was shown to reduce memory deterioration as the patients’ choline metabolism was increased. 180 days intervention of 1200 mg daily oral Alpha GPC intake improved a cognitive function in Alzheimer’s patients. Patients in a placebo group experienced a decrease in their cognition, as indicated by ADAS-Cog scores, over the same period of time. Another study lasting for 90 days showed the memory, verbal and behavioural benefits for vascular dementia following 1000 mg of intramuscularly Alpha GPC administration.

DOPAMINE AND SEROTONIN:

Following 150mg/kg oral ingestion in rats have been shown to increase the concentrations of dopamine and serotonin hormones in the cerebellum and frontal cortex. It is important to note that the same effects were not observed following the same dose of Citicoline (CDP Choline). Alpha GPC also improves expression of the dopamine transporter.

MEMORY AND LEARNING:

Protein Kinase C (PKC) is an enzyme considered responsible for the process of memory formation in the brain. It has been shown to be activated by Alpha GPC as the product increases the activity of PKC for about 1 hour post-ingestion.

Alpha GPC has also been shown to improve the performance in rats tested following scopolamine-induced amnesia. Improvements in active and passive avoidance behavioural tasks were observable in young and aged rats.Active and passive avoidance behavioural tests are used to determine memory and cognition.

NEUROPROTECTIVE:

Alpha GPC has shown to work neuroprotectively in patients who had suffered a cerebral stroke or ischemic attack. A research investigated 2484 patients, who were intramuscularly administered 1000 mg of Alpha GPC daily for a month, followed by 5 months of 1200 mg daily oral doses.The results showed improvements in the Mini Mental State Evaluation (MMSE), Clinicians’ Global Rating Scale (CGRS) and Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) tests by 12-15%, 19-21% and 20%, respectively.

WEIGHT LOSS:

Alpha GPC has the potential to promote weight loss,as it enhances hepatic fat oxidation in healthy humans. 120 minutes after ingestion of 1000 mg, researchers found that serum levels of acetoacetate and 3-hydroxybutyrate were increased. These are ketone bodies that are used as biomarkers of fat metabolism. The results come as no surprise, as previous studies on choline, resulted in a fast body mass reduction, while maintaining static strength and biochemical levels.

RECOMMENDED DOSAGE:

The recommended dosage is between 300 - 600 mg taken 2 times per day. As you become more used to taking Alpha GPC and its effects, the daily dosage can be increased to 800 – 1000 mg per day.Alpha GPC is water soluble and appears to be effective over the course of 24 hours; however a peak concentration is normally observed 1-3 hours post ingestion. You should not take Alpha GPC late at night as some users report stimulatory effects.

MECHANISMS OF ACTION:

Alpha GPC seems to enhance acetylcholine levels by increasing the number of neurotransmitter precursors. Alpha GPC is absorbed into the blood stream, transported to the brain where it crosses the blood-brain barrier.Alpha GPC may also activate protein kinase