Alpha GPC is a natural compound that has tremendous effects on cognitive improvement and physical performance. I'm not just talking about some "new fad supplement" that people are trying out; Alpha GPC has been around for years and is used by many athletes and entrepreneurs to get an edge in their field. Personally, I've found that it gives me more focus and energy throughout the day, whether I'm working on a new business project or training for my next competition. If you're looking for a way to step up your game mentally and physically, I recommend checking out Alpha GPC!
What is Alpha GPC?
Alpha GPC (L-alpha glycerol phosphorylcholine) is a cholinergic compound naturally found in the brain. It's an essential nutrient for brain health and proper cell function, and plays a role in memory, focus, attention, learning ability, and reaction time. In other words, it's pretty important stuff!
You lost me at "cholinergic". Please explain!
Cholinergic compounds stimulate the production of a neurotransmitter in the brain called acetylcholine. Alpha GPC is one of the best types of cholinergic compounds available and has been shown to benefit cognition, memory, and learning functions.
Where does Alpha GPC come from?
Alpha-GPC is a metabolite - meaning it's released during the metabolism of glycerol and choline. Glycine is an amino acid found in protein-rich foods, while choline is found in egg yolks, fatty fish, and some vegetables (especially broccoli and Brussels sprouts).
However, most people - even healthy eaters - don’t get enough from their food intake alone. It also requires specialized transporters to transport free-form choline across the blood-brain barrier, which is more difficult. The best way to make sure you receive Alpha GPC in the appropriate dose is through a dietary supplement.
Although Alpha GPC is produced in the liver, we burn through supplies of this nutrient fairly quickly - faster than our bodies can replace enough to maintain optimal cognitive function. That's where supplementation comes in. The vast majority of commercial alpha-GPC supplements are derived from soy lecithin.
So how does Alpha GPC work?
As I mentioned before, Alpha GPC is a cholinergic compound, which means it is a precursor to the production of acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter is involved in many cognitive processes, leading it to be called the "learning neurotransmitter".
Adequate levels of acetylcholine are critical for optimal cognitive function. Studies have shown that those with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia have lower-than-normal levels of acetylcholine.
Alpha GPC supplementation has been shown to increase circulating acetylcholine levels within the central nervous system (CNS) because it provides the body with the necessary "building blocks" to produce more of this important neurotransmitter.
Not only does Alpha GPC help increase ACh levels, but it also crosses the blood-brain barrier easily to deliver choline directly to the brain. This is important because choline is also needed for the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine - essential for proper cell function and structure.
Are there side effects?
Although choline is "not known to have any clinically relevant interactions with medications", people with high blood pressure should seek professional medical advice from their health care professional before taking Alpha GPC, because Choline has been paradoxically suggested to both heighten and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (there are pros and cons to weigh up).
Alpha GPC as a cognition-enhancing agent
The benefits of Alpha GPC supplementation on memory efficiency are pretty well-documented at this point. Several studies have shown that it may improve cognitive function in healthy adults, as well as more clinical benefits for those suffering from Alzheimer's disease, strokes, dementia, or other age-related declines.
Alpha GPC is a possible treatment for mild cognitive impairment. An Italian Multicenter Clinical Trial found that 71% of patients who took a daily dose of alpha GPC corresponded to “no cognitive decline” or “forgetfulness” (n=2044), as measured on four different scales of mental performance.
In the majority of studies, Alpha GPC is used to recover or prevent further cognitive deterioration (neuroprotective), rather than to enhance cognitive performance in healthy people (although it has been proven to improve neural efficiency in both young and middle-aged overweight males). There is insufficient clinical evidence whether higher doses will improve cognition in those without a choline deficiency, but it consistently correlates to positive outcomes in observational research.
It's thought that Alpha GPC supports the functioning of cells that use acetylcholine for communication. This explains why Alpha GPC may improve working memory and information processing speed, as well as a reduction in mental fatigue. Additionally, phosphatidylcholine is involved in memory and learning. Alpha GPC's ability to boost levels of phosphatidylcholine (a major component of brain cells) is one explanation for why it may have cognitive performance-enhancing capabilities.
Alpha GPC and Physical Performance
But that's not all! Alpha GPC has some great physical performance benefits too. This is because acetylcholine is not just the "learning neurotransmitter" - its ability to stimulate muscle contraction means it's also involved in the mind-muscle connection. Join us next week as we explore the powerful impact on psychomotor performance, natural growth hormone production, and muscle mass in our next blog post!
If you want to experience the benefits of Alpha GPC for yourself, consider trying Simply Nootropics Elevate. Our premier product contains 200mg of Alpha GPC, making it a great choice if you're looking for a nootropic supplement that may help improve your memory and cognitive function. Start being the best today!
