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Questions and Answers
What percentage of a phosphatidylcholine molecule is comprised of choline?
What is the purpose of the hepatic phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) pathway in the body?
What is the primary function of phosphatidylcholine in the body?
What is another term that is often used interchangeably with phosphatidylcholine?
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What is the primary benefit of using Pure PC for phosphatidylcholine supplementation?
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What is the mechanism by which artemisinin reduces the viability of Plasmodium?
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What is another parasitic disease against which artemisinin has been found to be effective?
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Which of the following viruses is artemisinin effective against?
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What is the effect of artemisinin on bitter taste receptors in the body?
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What is the overall effect of artemisinin on the gut microbiome?
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Study Notes
Phosphatidylcholine Structure and Function
- Phosphatidylcholine has a hydrophilic phosphate-containing head and two hydrophobic fatty acid tails.
- Its amphiphilic properties enable it to form bilayers in aqueous solutions, including the human body.
- Phosphatidylcholine comprises cell membranes, creating a protective interface between the cell's interior and exterior environment.
Cell Membrane Integrity
- Lifestyle factors such as oxidative stress, infections, and consumption of rancid dietary fats can cause loss of cell membrane integrity.
- Healthy cell membranes are essential for vital functions, including intercepting external signals and selectively transporting nutrients.
Cognitive Function
- Phosphatidylcholine is a precursor for the synthesis of acetylcholine, an essential neurotransmitter in the brain and at neuromuscular junctions.
- Supplemental phosphatidylcholine may support healthy acetylcholine levels and maintain neuronal membrane integrity, preserving healthy neurotransmission.
- Higher intakes of phosphatidylcholine are associated with better cognitive performance in adulthood.
Liver Function and Detoxification
- Phosphatidylcholine is critical for liver function and supports detoxification.
- Insufficient intake of choline can contribute to a wide range of health concerns, including fatty liver, muscle damage, and cognitive dysfunction.
Choline Intake and Deficiency
- Inadequate intake of choline has a host of adverse health effects, and a large portion of the population is at risk for deficiency.
- Plant-based diets, postmenopausal women, and genetic polymorphisms in PEMT are at an increased risk of choline deficiency.
- Supplemental phosphatidylcholine provides a rich source of readily available choline.
Phospholipids and Cell Membranes
- Phospholipids are the fundamental building blocks of all cell membranes in the human body.
- Human cells contain four main phospholipids: phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingomyelin, and phosphatidylcholine.
- Phosphatidylcholine comprises the majority of the cell membrane.
Bioavailability and Absorption
- Pure PC delivers highly bioavailable phosphatidylcholine in a liposomal format for easy absorption into the bloodstream.
- This rapidly replenishes cell membranes and supports whole-body health.
Choline and Phosphatidylcholine
- Choline is a water-soluble compound that comprises approximately 13% of the weight of a phosphatidylcholine molecule.
- Although small amounts of choline can be synthesized in the body, it is not enough to support optimal health, and dietary or supplemental intake is necessary.
- Phosphatidylcholine is a class of phospholipid that incorporates choline as a headgroup in its molecular structure.
Inhibiting Viral Infection and Microbial Growth
- Artemisinin inhibits viral replication and invasion of host cells.
- It has activity against Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease.
- Artemisinin has antimicrobial effects against opportunistic and pathogenic gut microbes such as Helicobacter pylori.
- It increases the Bacteroidetes: Firmicutes bacterial ratio, associated with superior gut and metabolic health.
Supporting Detoxification
- Artemisinin protects bile acid transporters involved in cellular detoxification from endotoxins.
- It helps create a strong foundation for successful detoxification.
Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Effects
- Artemisinin inhibits brain inflammation triggered by bacterial endotoxins by inhibiting the pro-inflammatory NF-kB pathway.
- It protects the gastrointestinal tract against stress-induced inflammation by upregulating Nrf2, the body's premier antioxidant signaling system.
- Artemisinin selectively suppresses pathogenic T cell proliferation, blocks B cell-induced antibody production, and inhibits pro-inflammatory signaling.
- Dihydroartemisinin increases CD8+ T cells and T regulatory cells that promote self-tolerance.
Protecting Cognition
- Artemisinin may protect the brain against degenerative processes by modulating inflammatory signaling pathways such as the NF-kB pathway.
- It may also protect cells from amyloid-beta, a misfolded protein involved in the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
Promoting Metabolic Health
- Artemisinin exerts hypoglycemic effects, suggesting it may be beneficial for managing blood sugar levels.
Supporting Normal Cellular Growth and Division
- Artemisinin helps regulate cell growth and division, inhibiting abnormal cellular proliferation.
- It regulates the microenvironment of the body, making it inhospitable to mutated cells.
Liposomal Formulations
- Liposomal delivery systems significantly boost the bioavailability of artemisinin.
- Liposomal artemisinin has a longer half-life compared to non-liposomal artemisinin, prolonging the time it spends in the circulation.
Activating Bitter Taste Receptors
- Artemisinin is a sesquiterpene lactone, a phytochemical found in plants from the Asteraceae and Umbelliferae families.
- It activates bitter taste receptors found on the tongue and in other locations throughout the body, including the GI tract and heart.
- Activation of bitter taste receptor transduction enhances bile flow and modulates inflammation, exerting various health benefits throughout the body.
Balancing the Body's Microbial Ecosystem
- Artemisinin has been used for decades in the treatment of malaria, a parasitic infection caused by Plasmodium.
- It reduces the viability of Plasmodium thanks to its unique chemical structure.
- Artemisinin has antiparasitic effects against the parasitic disease schistosomiasis and antiviral effects against Herpes family viruses.
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Description
Learn about the structure and function of phosphatidylcholine in cell membranes, including its amphiphilic properties and role in protecting cells.
