Alpha-GPC
Overview:
Alpha-GPC, short for Alpha-Glycerophosphocholine, is really a mouthful. Its main component, Choline, drives Alpha-GPC’s ability to improve brain and memory function. Really, Alpha-GPC helps you focus in addition to having the potential to help improve your mood. Alpha-GPC can be found naturally in red meat, but only in extremely limited fashion. Supplementation (orally) with Alpha-GPC is by far the most effective sourcing option.
Benefits:
The documented benefits of Alpha-GPC are heavily concentrated around its effectiveness in increasing choline concentrations in the blood in healthy young men (reference 4), resulting in increased brain and memory function. Studies conducted on rats have also demonstrated that a potential benefit from Alpha-GPC is the increase in dopamine in the brain (reference 1) which can result in increased concentration and improved mood. In addition to demonstrated improvements in cognitive function and focus, Alpha-GPC was seen in one particular study to improve power output over a placebo when taken before physical activity (reference 5).
While limited evidence exists for human effectiveness, benefits of Alpha-GPC as demonstrated from a few trials on humans and many trials on rodents have been documented to improve cognitive functionality and slow down cognitive deterioration in elderly people. The key component of Alpha-GPC is Choline.
Side-Effects:
Doses of Alpha-GPC appear safe at-or-below 24mg/kg, which would be 1.9g for a person weighting 175lbs. (reference 3)
Synergies:
Alpha-GPC has limited clinically studied synergies with other compounds. Alpha-GPC theoretically has synergies with most other TrustFuel ingredients because of its ability to improve focus and concentration. From a clinical standpoint, Alpha-GPC has synergies with the mineral Iron where a combination of Iron and Alpha-GPC can result in improved Iron absorption (reference 2).
Dosage:
Typical doses of Alpha-GPC are between 250mg and 600mg daily.
Further Reference:
1. Tayebati SK, et al Modulation of monoaminergic transporters by choline-containing phospholipids in rat brain . CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. (2013)
2. Armah CN, et al L-alpha-glycerophosphocholine contributes to meat's enhancement of nonheme iron absorption . J Nutr. (2008)
3. Brownawell AM, Carmines EL, Montesano F Safety assessment of AGPC as a food ingredient . Food Chem Toxicol. (2011)
4. Kawamura T, et al Glycerophosphocholine enhances growth hormone secretion and fat oxidation in young adults . Nutrition. (2012)