Supplement analysis backed by scientific evidence · PT

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Moderate evidenceBrain & cognition

Alpha-GPC

A choline compound with genuine clinical data in age-related cognitive decline, mostly as an add-on to dementia drugs. The bodybuilding and "power output" marketing rests on a handful of tiny trials, and an observational stroke-risk signal deserves attention.

What the science says

  • Cognitive decline and dementia Moderate evidence

    A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis of choline alphoscerate in adult-onset cognitive dysfunction found statistically significant improvements on cognitive and functional scales versus control across the pooled trials. Most of these studies were conducted in Italy over 3-6 months at 1,200 mg/day, several are decades old, and methodological quality is uneven.

  • Add-on to donepezil in Alzheimer's disease Moderate evidence

    In the ASCOMALVA trial, patients on donepezil 10 mg plus choline alphoscerate 1,200 mg/day showed better MMSE, ADAS-Cog and behavioural (NPI) scores than donepezil alone over 24 months. It is a single, relatively small, single-country randomized trial, so this is promising rather than established.

  • Power output and exercise performance Limited evidence

    Acute doses of 600 mg have been reported to raise peak bench-throw force and countermovement jump power in small crossover studies, typically with fewer than 20 subjects and inconsistent outcome measures. No adequately powered trial has confirmed a performance benefit, and effects on training adaptation over weeks are untested.

  • Growth hormone release Limited evidence

    Alpha-GPC acutely raises serum growth hormone in small studies, but the spike is short-lived and comparable to what exercise itself produces. There is no evidence this translates into changes in body composition or strength.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseCognitive studies use 400 mg three times daily (1,200 mg/day) for 3-24 months. Performance studies use a single 300-600 mg dose 30-60 minutes pre-exercise. Typical consumer products supply 300-600 mg/day of 50% alpha-GPC powder, which is hygroscopic and clumps easily.
SafetyUsually well tolerated; heartburn, nausea, headache, insomnia and dizziness are the common complaints, and it can be over-stimulating for some at higher doses. A large South Korean national claims-database analysis reported a higher 10-year stroke incidence among choline alphoscerate users, which is observational and unconfirmed but not trivial given the population that takes it. Choline alphoscerate is a prescription medicine in Italy, Russia, South Korea and several other countries, and is sold as a supplement in the US. Caution with cholinergic drugs and anticholinergics, which it may oppose or amplify.

Scientific references

Where to buy

EVLution Nutrition, Alpha GPC, 60 Veggie Capsules (300 mg per Capsule)

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