Alpha-GPC (also known as L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine) is an essential lipid used to create cells and regulate various cellular processes. It also helps the body produce choline, an essential neurochemical necessary for proper cognitive function. Research has found that low alpha-GPC levels can cause a range of adverse effects, so it’s no surprise that the list of potential alpha-GPC benefits is lengthy.
If you’re curious about the benefits of alpha-GPC for yourself, here’s what you should know:
Looking for a tasty product that takes advantage of medicinal mushroom and nootropic ingredients like this? We recommend checking out Lucid Super Coffee.
Table of Contents
Alpha-GPC improves memory
Enhances focus and learning.
Helps build muscle and decrease athletic recovery time
Aids in stroke recovery
Benefits eyesight
Can reduce brain damage caused by seizures
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions
Alpha GPC is used to boost memory and cognitive skills. Research shows that it can increase acetylcholine levels in the brain, a neurotransmitter that helps carry out all basic memory and learning functions. For this reason, research has found that alpha-GPC supplementation may be useful for improving the symptoms of dementia.
Another study assessed the efficacy and tolerability of alpha GPC when used to manage the symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease. This study found that the alpha-GPC group experienced a consistent improvement in cognition and behavior over a 180 day treatment period, whereas the placebo group experienced no change or had symptoms that continued to worsen.
Since low acetylcholine levels may be a risk factor for dementia and related disease, experts speculate that alpha-GPC supplementation may help prevent these cognitive disorders.
Although much of the cognition-related evidence focuses on using alpha-GPC to repair cognitive damage in older adults, some research suggests that it may help boost cognition in healthy young adults as well.
One study found that increased choline intake may be linked to improved cognitive performance. The research saw improvement in four areas in dementia-free adults: verbal memory, visual memory, verbal learning, and executive function.
Another study comparing the impact of caffeine and alpha-GPC found that alpha GPC supplementation was associated with an 18% increase in the performance speed of young adults carrying out various physical and mental tasks.
Various studies have found alpha-GPC supplementation to be potentially beneficial for improving athletic performance by increasing muscle growth, reducing recovery time, and even strengthening bone mass.
One study suggests that it helps by increasing the production of human growth hormone, a primary component of cell growth. Human growth hormone is essential for the repair of human tissue and cellular regeneration, which means it plays a primary role in athletic recovery. In this study human growth hormone levels increase 44-fold after alpha GPC use, compared to only 2.6-fold after using the placebo. The study also concluded that alpha-GPC supplementation increased the participant’s physical force, increasing peak bench press force by 14% compared to the placebo group.
Reviews from 1994 and 2001 suggest that alpha-GPC can help recover brain function prior to a stroke, and can improve cognitive function by up to 70%. These studies suggest that Alpha-GPC may have neuroprotective properties that could be beneficial for protecting brain health in many ways. Of course, the studies were limited, so more evidence is needed to fully understand how alpha-GPC may be used for stroke recovery.
Some evidence suggests that Alpha-GPC may benefit eye health and help protect against degenerative conditions that cause vision loss. One study found that Alpha-GPC supplementation may help heal the retinas, improve circulation, and improve vision in patients with ocular ischemic syndrome, a condition where the blood vessels in the eye become clogged with plaque.
Some evidence suggests that alpha-GPC could be useful for managing the side effects of epilepsy, like brain damage, perhaps due to its neuroprotective properties. One animal study found that rats injected with alpha-GPC three weeks after induced seizures experienced improved cognitive function and improved the regrowth of brain cells.
Alpha-GPC is a popular wellness supplement that’s often chosen for its potential to enhance cognition and protect against various types of neurological damage, including damage that can naturally happen as we age. All in all, the benefits of alpha-GPC are far reaching, making it a nootropic superpower that fits into most people’s wellness routines.
Many people prefer to take alpha-GPC alongside other nootropic and adaptogenic supplements to create a full-coverage wellness routine. Because alpha-GPC supplements are not regulated as strictly as pharmaceuticals in the U.S., it’s important that you look for a high-quality supplement that’s well-made and lab tested. The best way to avoid Alpha-GPC side effects is by ensuring that you use proper dosage and a high quality supplement.
Always talk to your doctor before adding new supplements or making any changes to your wellness routine, especially if you take prescription medications.
Alpha-GPC works by increasing the levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the brain, which is involved in learning and memory. It may also increase the production of human growth hormone, making it useful for athletic recovery, and have neuroprotective properties that may help prevent cognitive decline and protect against brain damage caused by seizures or strokes.
Some people take alpha-GPC in a one-off daily dose, usually in the morning. Others prefer to break their daily alpha-GPC dosage down into two or more doses, usually taken with meals throughout the day. The most important thing is that you take alpha-GPC daily since it requires consistency to work effectively.
In general, people often take between 400-800 mg of alpha-GPC each day. Some clinical trials have used doses ranging from 250 mg up to 1,200 mg daily.
Comments will be approved before showing up.