CDP-Choline supplement. CDP Choline benefit and side effects

CDP-choline stands for cytidine 5-diphosphocholine, an intermediate in the biosynthesis of membrane phospholipids and brain acetylcholine. CDP-choline is approved in Europe and Japan for use in stroke, Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders and is sold by the brand name Citicoline. In a way, you could consider CDP-choline as a more potent form of choline. Studies show that CDP choline helps make phosphatidylcholine in human brain cell membranes; may increase acetylcholine synthesis; improves mental performance in patients with Alzheimer's disease; and even improves memory in elderly patients with memory deficits. A Belgian study has shown that CDP choline administration to dogs improves their ability to learn and remember.

CDP-Choline, 250 mg, 60 Capsules
Mind Power Rx brain booster formulated by Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D., world renowned supplement expert

Stabilized CDP Choline (cytidine 5'diphosphocholine) is a naturally occurring, water soluble biological compound that is an essential intermediate for the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, a major constituent of the grey matter of brain tissue (30%).  CDP choline is metabolized to yield the free nucleotide cytidine and choline.  Scientific research demonstrates that CDP Choline consumption promotes brain metabolism by enhancing the synthesis of acetylcholine, restoring phospholipid content in the brain and regulation of neuronal membrane excitability and osmolarity (by its effect on the ATP-dependent sodium and potassium pumps).

CDP-Choline Supplement Facts:
CDP Choline  250 mg (from stabilized cytidine 5'diphosphocholine)

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Suggested Use: One CDP-choline capsule before breakfast or lunch. You may take a CDP choline capsule one day and a Mind Power Rx capsule the second day and alternate their use.

CDP-choline benefit
CDP-choline functions as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of cell membrane phospholipids. CDP-choline belongs to the group of biomolecules in living systems known as nucleotides that play important roles in cellular metabolism. CDP-choline is composed of ribose, pyrophosphate, cytosine (a nitrogenous base), and choline. The administration of oral CDP-choline may be of use in reversing age-related changes in the brain. CDP-choline helps to increase levels of phosphodiesters such as phosphatidylcholine and glycerophosphoethanolamine in the brain. These phosphodiesters form part of the cell membrane of brain cells and their levels are known to decline with age. Hence, CDP-choline supplements may help replace the declining levels of these important phosphodiesters.
   CDP choline may be helpful in reducing damage after a stroke.
   CDP choline may be helpful in Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Vittorio Porciatti at the Institute of Neurophysiology in Pisa, Italy, tells me, "CDP-choline is commercially produced in Europe under several product names. Neurologists have found this nutrient useful in Parkinson’s disease, brain trauma, and aging in general. It may surprise you that I mention Parkinson’s disease. In addition to the understandable action on cell membranes, we have been somehow surprised that CDP-choline has dopamine-like effects. Interestingly, dopaminergic-like activity seems to be long lasting, possibly due to stabilization of the effects at membrane level."

CDP-choline availability
CDP-choline became available over the counter in the US in 1998. Most pills come in a 250 mg dose. You will also find CDP choline added to brain formulas as part of other brain boosters such as acetyl l carnitine and ginkgo biloba. A trademarked name for cdp-choline is Cognizin.

Safety of CDP-choline and side effects
Toxicology studies show that CDP-choline is safe and produces no serious side effects in doses ranging from 250 mg to 500 mg a day. However, most of the studies lasted less than a few weeks. Long-term safety is not known.

CDP-Choline Research
CDP-choline in the treatment of chronic cerebrovasculopathies.
Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 1994 May-Jun;18(3):161-8.
Ninety-two patients affected by chronic cerebrovasculopathy were treated with cytidine diphosphate choline ( CDP-choline ) 1000 mg/day i.m. or with placebo, in a double-blind study. Two cycles of therapy of 4 weeks each were performed, with an interval of 1 week. There were 46 patients in each group with chronic cerebrovascular diseases, and the two groups were comparable as far as mental deterioration was concerned. The comparison between the two groups revealed significant improvements in the CDP-choline group compared with the placebo group in some of the attention capabilities. No side-effects were detected in the CDP-choline group.

A Mind Booster Helpful After Strokes
Findings presented at the American Stroke Association's 27th International Stroke Conference indicate that CDP-choline may be helpful in reducing damage after a stroke.
The most common cause of a stroke is blockage of a blood vessel within the brain, which leaves a portion of the organ starved for blood and oxygen. Bleeding within the brain can also lead to stroke. Much of the brain damage is caused by a cascade of harmful chemicals released by dying cells.
     Researchers at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders in Bethesda, Maryland, reported data on two trials of the supplement citicoline, sold in some health food stores or on the internet as CDP-choline. This nutrient is related to choline. One of the studies involved 41 patients who received 500 milligrams of cdp-choline daily for 6 weeks after having a stroke. In the other, 62 stroke patients took 2,000 mg of the drug every day for 6 weeks. The trials also included 111 patients who received an inactive placebo. The researchers gauged the CDP-choline’s effectiveness by measuring the size of the infarct, or area of dead tissue. They scanned patients' brains within 24 hours of the stroke and again 12 weeks later. At the end of the study period, the investigators found that infarct size measured by MRI scans had increased by 85% in patients on placebo, by 34% in patients receiving the 500 mg dose of cdp-choline and by only 2% in patients receiving 2,000 mg cdp-choline.
   CDP-choline is a more powerful form of choline, and most users without a stroke notice an enhancement of mental focus, along with clarity of vision and thinking with as little as 200 mg.

CDP-Choline emails
Q.  I have been taking CDP-Choline for about 3 - 4 weeks. I began taking it after reading Dr. Sahelian's publication on Natural Sex Boosters. My results with CDP Choline have been fabulous. Sensation and enjoyment have returned. My question is; should I take a break every so often, or will CDP-Choline just continue to be effective if taken continuously?
   A.  Thank you for your email and feedback. It's great that cdp-choline worked for you. It's an interesting supplement. Although we can't give specific advice, my philosophy regarding supplements is to take breaks from their use. As to the extent of breaks and their frequency, that is an individual matter and decision.

Q. What are the differences between CDP-Choline and GPC-choline? I've had a chronic problem with stiff neck and DMAE made it worse. What's probability that either of these 2 versions of choline would do the same?
   A. We have come across GPC-choline but have not really looked into it in any detail since we can't find any revealing human trials with it. DMAE can make neck tenseness worse in higher dosages. We are not aware that CDP-choline would do the same. But to assure this, we recommend less than a full dose.

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Q. I understand that choline is really wonderful for pregnant women- especially in the third trimester. I have been taking 500mg a day of cdp-choline. Does this seem appropriate? I do sometimes get an increased heart rate- but other than that I feel fine. I am also on Synthroid for thyroid replacement because I have hypothyroidism (via radioactive iodine treatment/ Graves). Can the choline influence my TSH levels? Both my OBGYN and endocrinologist don't really have any answers for me as they are not that progressive, and it is difficult to find doctors who are truly up to date.
   A. We are not aware of any studies regarding the use of CDP-choline and pregnancy, nor the interaction of choline and CDP-choline with thyroid medications. CDP choline is a potent nutrient and 500 mg may be too high a dosage. Your doctor may wish to read the page on cdp choline to guide you.

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