What does alpha gpc do?
What is Alpha-GPC?
Alpha-Glycerylphosphorylcholine (Alpha-GPC) is a naturally occurring choline compound found in the brain. It is a precursor to acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in many functions including memory and muscle control. Alpha-GPC is commonly used as a dietary supplement to enhance cognitive function and physical performance.
Health benefits of alpha-GPC
Here’s how supplementing with alpha-GPC might be able to help support your best health.
1. Alpha-GPC may support cognitive function
Want to stay brainy for the long term? Research tells us that alpha-GPC might help you maintain cognitive function, especially as you age. This is because the neurotransmitter acetylcholine is an important part of supporting a variety of healthy cognitive processes.
2. Alpha-GPC might help maintain your memory
The hippocampus—a small region of the brain that plays a large role in learning and memory—relies on acetylcholine to help protect your ability to remember things. Supplementing with alpha-GPC helps encourage overall memory health.
3. Acetylcholine can encourage positive mental health
Research suggests that healthy levels of choline (and thus acetylcholine), can help you feel calmer and more at peace. And considering that your mood can impact both your mental and physical health in other ways, being able to maintain a good mood can pay dividends.
4. It might support your athletic endeavors
If you participate in any sports that demand speed and power—like sprinting or weightlifting—alpha-GPC might be a smart nutrient to take for your physical performance.
In one study of healthy college-aged males, those who took A-GPC had improvements in their strength after 7 days. The study also found that A-GPC increased serum levels of choline after supplementation. In other words, A-GPC helped increase their power output.
5. Alpha-GPC might support growth hormone secretion
Growth hormones serve several important roles. For instance, it influences our height and helps maintain our muscles and bone health. Growth hormones even maintain levels of fat and tissue in the body. It's also involved in our metabolism, promoting already-healthy blood sugar levels.
Alpha-GPC may support growth hormone secretion and maintain healthy levels in the body. Age-related changes can impact growth hormone levels though, so making sure you're getting enough alpha-GPC is a good idea.
How to take alpha-GPC
Supplementation is a convenient way to encourage the levels of alpha-GPC in your body. Make sure you choose a supplement with a dosage of around 250 mg of alpha-glyceryl phosphoryl choline per serving to ensure that you're getting enough of this compound.
To further augment the effects of alpha-GPC, seek out comprehensive formulas that complement this nutrient's benefits. Some good options include phosphatidylserine, which supports healthy brain cell membranes along with healthy cognition, memory and attention, and the compounds in wild blueberry extract to further encourage cognitive function and offer potent antioxidant protection.
Always follow the specific directions on the bottle regarding when to take your supplements and whether you should have an empty stomach when you take them. When it comes to alpha-GPC, there's no suggested method. Rather, focus on staying consistent for your best health!
Another thing to look out for when it comes to supplements is whether they're labeled as gluten-free and non-GMO. And always remember to speak with your healthcare provider before trying any new dietary supplement.
Does alpha-GPC work immediately?
Alpha-GPC is a great source of choline because it contains so much of it and it can cross the blood-brain barrier. But how soon can you expect your daily dosage of L-alpha-glyceryl-phosphorylcholine to work?
- Support the release of calming brain chemicals, helping you relax and stay focused
- Encourage the growth of new brain cells - great for long-term brain health
- Boost the brain’s natural repair systems and support mental adaptability
- Help reduce inflammation, which is linked to cognitive decline and fatigue
- Support recovery from physical and mental stress
It all depends! One study noted increased levels of choline in participants after just 60 minutes of taking A-GPC. And in the strength study previously mentioned, participants taking A-GPC noticed strength gains after seven days. In yet another study, participants supported optimal cognitive health after 90 days of supplementing. Remember, consistency is key here.
A-GPC is generally well-tolerated. However, always talk with your healthcare provider before trying a new supplement—especially if you're receiving attention for other health challenges you may be experiencing.
Give your cognition the encouragement it needs. Support your mental clarity. Focus on your physical performance in the gym. A daily dosage of an alpha-GPC supplement might be all you need to get that extra edge! Gift your brain the almighty nootropic with alpha-GPC supplementation.
Is Alpha GPC safe?
It's generally considered safe and well-tolerated, with no serious side effects reported in long-term human studies.
It’s been widely researched in both clinical and preclinical settings. Studies show it’s not harmful to cells (aka non-genotoxic) and suitable for use across a wide range of age groups.
There’s been some chatter around potential risks to vascular health, but current evidence is inconclusive and needs more investigation. As always, it’s best to check in with your healthcare provider - especially if you have pre-existing conditions or are taking other medications.
Conclusion
Alpha GPC is a safe, well-tolerated, and highly effective source of choline. It has been the subject of decades of research and is recognized worldwide as a powerful memory enhancer, prescribed by physicians throughout Europe for a variety of memory disorders.
In addition to being a potent nootropic in its right, Alpha GPC is also a perfect addition to many other supplements, particularly those like the racetams which depend on a sufficiency of choline in order to achieve optimal results.
It also stimulates the production of HGH, which can improve strength, and shorten recovery time following exertion, and encourage the building of lean muscle mass, making it an invaluable supplement for athletes or anyone with an active lifestyle.
For anyone who is interested in improving their memory, physical strength and vitality, or achieving the best results possible with nootropic supplements, Alpha GPC is an excellent choice.
References
- Anand KS, et al. "Hippocampus in health and disease: An overview." Ann Indian Acad Neurol. October-December 2012. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3548359/
- Bjelland I, et al. "Choline in anxiety and depression: the Hordaland Health Study." Am J Clin Nutr. October 2009. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19656836/
- DeFina PA, et al. "Alzheimer's disease clinical and research update for health care practitioners." J Aging Res. September 2013. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3776389/
- De Jesus Moreno Moreno M. "Cognitive improvement in mild to moderate Alzheimer's dementia after treatment with the acetylcholine precursor choline alfoscerate: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial." Clin Ther. January 2003. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12637119/
- Kawamura T, et al. "Glycerophosphocholine enhances growth hormone secretion and fat oxidation in young adults." Nutrition. November-December 2012. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22673596/
- Malík M, Tlustoš P. "Nootropics as Cognitive Enhancers: Types, Dosage and Side Effects of Smart Drugs." Nutrients. August 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9415189/
- Marcus L, et al. "Evaluation of the effects of two doses of alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine on physical and psychomotor performance." J Int Soc Sports Nutr. October 2017. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29042830/
- "Growth hormone." Better Health Channel. April 2017. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/growth-hormone
- "Nutrients: Choline, total (mg)." United States Department of Agriculture. 2018. https://www.nal.usda.gov/sites/www.nal.usda.gov/files/choline.pdf