Supplement
Alpha-GPC is a choline-containing compound that reaches the brain and helps the body make acetylcholine, a chemical messenger central to memory and learning. Most people look at it for Alzheimer's disease, and in one multicenter trial of 261 people with mild to moderate dementia, symptoms improved compared with placebo. That evidence is limited, though, resting on a single study, so it can't say how well the benefit holds up more broadly.
Sources: PMID 12637119
- Updated
- How we grade
- 4 studies cited
- Best evidence
- Grade B
- Conditions studied
- 8
- Outcomes
- 17
- Graded outcomes
- 0180
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Growth Hormone Small Increase | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 1 study | 15 people | ||
Studies that measured growth hormone | ||||||
| Fat Oxidation Small Increase | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 8 people | |||
| Iron Absorption | Improves (the measure goes up) | 2 studies | 114 people | |||
Alzheimer’s Disease
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms Moderate Improvement | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 1 study | 261 people | ||
Studies that measured alzheimer's disease symptoms | ||||||
| Cognitive Decline | Improves (the measure goes down) | 261 people | ||||
Dementia
- Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms: improves
- Cognitive Decline: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms Moderate Improvement | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 1 study | 261 people | ||
Studies that measured alzheimer's disease symptoms | ||||||
| Cognitive Decline | Improves (the measure goes down) | 261 people | ||||
Muscle Size Strength
- Growth Hormone: improves
- Power Output: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Growth Hormone Small Increase | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 1 study | 7 people | ||
Studies that measured growth hormone | ||||||
| Power Output | Improves (the measure goes up) | 7 people | ||||
General Athletic Performance
- Growth Hormone: improves
- Power Output: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Growth Hormone Small Increase | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 1 study | 7 people | ||
Studies that measured growth hormone | ||||||
| Power Output | Improves (the measure goes up) | 7 people | ||||
Alzheimer’s Disease
- Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms: improves
- Cognitive Decline: changes; see studies
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms Moderate Improvement | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 1 study | 261 people | ||
Studies that measured alzheimer's disease symptoms | ||||||
| Cognitive Decline | Changes; see studies | 261 people | ||||
Muscle Size & Strength
- Growth Hormone: improves
- Power Output: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Growth Hormone Small Increase | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 1 study | 7 people | ||
Studies that measured growth hormone | ||||||
| Power Output | Improves (the measure goes up) | 7 people | ||||
Hormone Health
- Fat Oxidation: improves
- Growth Hormone: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fat Oxidation Small Increase | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 8 people | |||
| Growth Hormone | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 8 people | |||
Studies that measured growth hormone | ||||||
Key findings
- Growth HormoneImproves (the measure goes up)
- Alzheimer's Disease SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)
- Fat OxidationImproves (the measure goes up)
Shop the evidence-backed picks
Third-party tested Alpha-GPC products, in the forms the graded studies used where we can match them.
- Grade B
Links to Fullscript, iHerb or Thorne carry our referral, so we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Grades come from the research and never change based on what we earn. Fullscript asks for a free account before it shows its catalog and prices. Full disclosure
Studies cited
4 studies from PubMed
- 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
- Glycerophosphocholine enhances growth hormone secretion and fat oxidation in young adults
- L-alpha-glycerophosphocholine contributes to meat's enhancement of nonheme iron absorption
- Optimization of a phytase-containing micronutrient powder with low amounts of highly bioavailable iron for in-home fortification of complementary foods