Optimal PC

Optimal PC by Seeking Health provides phosphatidylcholine (PC) in a convenient capsule format. PC supports cellular strength, liver and brain health, bile production, mucus production, methylation, and much more.^†

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is a key structural component for nearly every cell and membrane in the body. It is the primary building block used to make cell membranes. Cells may become more ‘leaky’ due to a lack of phospholipids. Leaky cells can lead to a number of issues. Cell membrane integrity is necessary for optimal health.^†

PC plays a critical role in nerve and brain health. This is because nerve sheaths and brain cells require large amounts of PC for repair and maintenance. Essential for cognitive function, choline is a precursor to acetylcholine, a major neurotransmitter in both the brain and peripheral nervous system. Acetylcholine is used by the brain for focus, memory, learning, and planning. It is also critical for maintaining brain cell structure.^†

PC is important for cardiovascular health by supporting lipid metabolism.^†

PC also supports hepatic health. It has been shown that PC supports liver wellness and its natural detoxification function. For normal detoxification, the liver must continually replace its cells. Liver cells contain significant amounts of PC in their cell walls. In addition, by helping your liver process fatty acids and cholesterol, PC supports healthy detoxification.^†

PC is essential for bile production and flow. PC and other phospholipids are a major component of bile salts. Bile must be present in the intestinal tract to digest fats. PC is also required for bile to flow through the biliary system. The gallbladder requires 10 parts of PC to 1 part cholesterol in order for bile to flow. If there is insufficient PC, it is possible that bile may get sluggish which may increase the risk for gallstones. If you are not digesting fats well due to inadequate bile production, it will be more difficult to absorb PC from your foods. This can lead to a feedback cycle resulting in choline deficiency.^†

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is such an important molecule, that your body devotes almost half of methylation processes to synthesize it. You can support your body’s natural PC synthesis and methylation by supplementing with Optimal PC.^†

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is made by Phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT). This enzyme adds three methyl groups to phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). It uses methyl groups from S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) to carry out its task. In fact, this reaction uses more methyl groups than any other biochemical reactions in the human body. It is estimated that up to 45 percent of all methylation is dedicated to making PC via the PEMT enzyme! A slow PEMT enzyme can lead to a phospholipid deficiency, cell wall deterioration, liver issues, cholesterol concerns, and brain concerns . Optimal PC replenishes your body with phospholipids, thereby supporting your PEMT enzyme.^†

The production of PC can be slowed if there are genetic variants in your methylation enzymes. These can include your MTHFR, MTR, MAT1, or PEMT genes and enzymes. Methylation is further impacted when gene mutations are paired with a deficiency of important nutrient coenzymes and cofactors. These can include active forms of 5-MTHF (bioactive folate), riboflavin, vitamin B12, magnesium, zinc, and betaine (TMG). PC supplementation can assist in supporting methylation processes, especially in people with these genetic variants.^†

Optimal PC contains two additional types of phospholipids, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol. Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) is a key building block of cell membrane bilayers. It can be transformed into PC. This phospholipid may also play a role in maintaining normal orientation of enzymes in the inner membrane. Phosphatidylinositol (PI) is present in all tissues and cell types, especially brain tissue. Derivatives of this phospholipid serve as messenger molecules within the nervous system.^†

If you are looking for phosphatidylserine, a compound derived from phospholipids in sunflower lecithin, consider our Phosphatidyl Serine.