Phosphatidylcholine (lecithin)
Also called PC, lecithin, soy lecithin, sunflower lecithin, egg lecithin, polyenylphosphatidylcholine.
Best grade C across 7 graded outcomes Other Last checked
The short answer
From 9 sourcesPhosphatidylcholine is the active phospholipid in lecithin supplements. Its best-studied use is a modified-release form in ulcerative colitis, where early small trials looked positive but a 466-patient 2024 trial stopped for futility. For ordinary lecithin softgels, the cited human data are thin, and one 25 g a day soy lecithin trial raised platelet adhesion.
Every graded outcome on this page
7 rows · line = participants- CGrade CRemission and endoscopic outcomes in ulcerative colitisUlcerative colitisn 160
- DGrade DClinical activity score in mesalazine-refractory ulcerative colitisUlcerative colitisn 156
- DGrade DRemission at 48 weeks in ulcerative colitisUlcerative colitisn 150
- DGrade DSteroid withdrawal in steroid-refractory ulcerative colitisUlcerative colitisn 60
- DGrade DPlatelet adhesion with soy lecithinHeart and vesselsn 60
- DGrade DPlasma choline and TMAO after a single doseCholine statusn 12
- ∅No effectDeep remission in mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis at 12 weeksUlcerative colitisn 466
- 4 more graded outcomes, in the evidence chapter
Key facts
- Ulcerative colitis, early trials
- A 2021 meta-analysis of 3 small single-centre RCTs (160 patients) pooled strong benefits for 30% PC delayed-release lecithin; its lead author also led one of the pooled trials23
- Ulcerative colitis, large trial
- The 2024 induction trial (466 patients) found deep remission at 12 weeks of 13.5% on placebo, 14.2% on 1.6 g twice daily and 9.7% on 0.8 g four times daily, and stopped for futility1
- Maintenance signal
- Remission at 48 weeks was 49.3% on LT-02 vs 50.0% on mesalamine and 43.2% on placebo (150 patients, not significant)1
- Platelet adhesion
- 25 g/day of soy lecithin for 15 days raised platelet adhesion in 60 volunteers, while fish oil lowered it6
- Choline source
- A single 480 mg dose of soy lysophosphatidylcholine raised plasma choline in 12 men without significantly raising TMAO7
What it is
Phosphatidylcholine is the main choline-containing phospholipid in lecithin, sold as softgels and studied in ulcerative colitis.
How it works
ProposedPhosphatidylcholine is a structural phospholipid of membranes and of the protective mucus layer in the gut, and it is also a dietary source of choline. In ulcerative colitis, researchers proposed that mucus is deficient in phosphatidylcholine and that delayed-release products could supply it; the 2024 trial's results did not confirm that benefit.1237
Forms, side by side
3 forms named in our sources. The rest show what our data holds, and say plainly where it holds nothing yet.
Phosphatidylcholine (lecithin) forms compared
3 forms| 3 forms | Soy, sunflower or egg lecithin (granules, liquid, softgels) | Modified-release or delayed-release phosphatidylcholine (LT-02, 30% PC lecithin) | Soy lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absorption in people | Absorption of phosphatidylcholine from lecithin supplements was not reported in the cited abstracts.6 | Designed for delayed release in the intestine so phosphatidylcholine reaches the mucosa; blood absorption was not reported in the cited abstracts.24 | Raised plasma choline similarly to glycerophosphocholine after a single dose; LPC concentrations stayed within physiological ranges.7 |
| GI tolerance | The 25 g/day soy lecithin trial raised platelet adhesion; other tolerability data were not reported in the cited abstracts.6 | Mild bloating was common at 2 g/day; LT-02 was reported safe in 2024 and the 3.2 g/day group had no serious adverse events in 2014.314 | No adverse events were attributed to the LPC in the 12-man study.7 |
| Studied for | Platelet adhesion (25 g/day for 15 days) | Ulcerative colitis (0.8 to 3.2 g/day for 12 to 48 weeks) | Choline delivery (480 mg single dose) |
- Soy, sunflower or egg lecithin (granules, liquid, softgels)
- Absorption in people
- Absorption of phosphatidylcholine from lecithin supplements was not reported in the cited abstracts.6
- GI tolerance
- The 25 g/day soy lecithin trial raised platelet adhesion; other tolerability data were not reported in the cited abstracts.6
- Studied for
- Platelet adhesion (25 g/day for 15 days)
- Modified-release or delayed-release phosphatidylcholine (LT-02, 30% PC lecithin)
- Absorption in people
- Designed for delayed release in the intestine so phosphatidylcholine reaches the mucosa; blood absorption was not reported in the cited abstracts.24
- GI tolerance
- Mild bloating was common at 2 g/day; LT-02 was reported safe in 2024 and the 3.2 g/day group had no serious adverse events in 2014.314
- Studied for
- Ulcerative colitis (0.8 to 3.2 g/day for 12 to 48 weeks)
- Soy lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC)
What the human research says
Human trials only, one row per outcome. The form line shows what each trial actually tested. Grades follow our evidence-grading policy.
Trial map
7 graded outcomes, largest study first7 graded outcomes: 2 improved, 1 mixed, 3 no effect, 1 worsened. The largest, a 2024 randomized trial of 466 people on deep remission in mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis at 12 weeks, found no effect. One outcome found a worsening: platelet adhesion with soy lecithin (60 people).
1Deep remission in mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis at 12 weeks
No effect · No-effect grade · RCT, 466 people, 2024
Adults with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis, all on oral mesalamine at 2.4 g/day or more
Dose, result and source| Outcome | Found | People | Study | Who was studied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deep remission in mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis at 12 weeks | No effect | 466 | No-effect grade · RCT, 2024 | Adults with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis, all on oral mesalamine at 2.4 g/day or more |
| Remission and endoscopic outcomes in ulcerative colitis | Improved | 160 | Grade C · Meta-analysis, 2021 | Patients with ulcerative colitis in 3 single-centre RCTs |
| Clinical activity score in mesalazine-refractory ulcerative colitis | Mixed | 156 | Grade D · RCT, 2014 | Patients with inadequate response to mesalazine, SCCAI of at least 5 and bloody diarrhea |
| Remission at 48 weeks in ulcerative colitis | No effect | 150 | Grade D · RCT, 2024 | Patients in remission after the 12-week induction phase |
| Steroid withdrawal in steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis | Improved | 60 | Grade D · RCT, 2007 | Adults with chronic steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis and high disease activity |
| Platelet adhesion with soy lecithin | Worsened | 60 | Grade D · RCT, 1999 | 60 volunteers randomized to fish oil, soy lecithin or no supplement |
| Plasma choline and TMAO after a single dose | No effect | 12 | Grade D · PK study, 2024 | Twelve healthy men |
Every graded row
7 rowsShowing 7 of 7 outcomes. Human trials only.
CGrade CRemission and endoscopic outcomes in ulcerative colitisUlcerative colitisLarge pooled effects in 3 small early trialsMeta-analysis · 3 studies
n 160 · 2021
Improved Pooled odds ratios favored phosphatidylcholine over placebo for remission (OR 9.68), clinical improvement (OR 30.58) and endoscopic improvement (OR 36.73), with adverse events like placebo. One trial with greater than 94% PC lecithin had failed and was not pooled.
- Design
- Meta-analysis, 3 studies, n = 160, 2021
- Population
- Patients with ulcerative colitis in 3 single-centre RCTs
- Form
- Delayed-release 30% phosphatidylcholine lecithin
- Dose
- Varied by trial
- Duration
- Varied by trial
- Source
- Reference 2 · PubMed 33440385 (opens PubMed)
DGrade DClinical activity score in mesalazine-refractory ulcerative colitisUlcerative colitisOnly the highest dose beat placebo on the primary scoreRCT
n 156 · 2014
Mixed SCCAI fell 33.3% on placebo, 44.3% at 0.8 g and 40.7% at 1.6 g (both not significant) and 51.7% at 3.2 g (P = 0.030). Remission was 15% on placebo vs 31.4% at 3.2 g (P = 0.089), and histologic remission 20% vs 40.5% (P = 0.016).
- Design
- RCT, n = 156, 2014
- Population
- Patients with inadequate response to mesalazine, SCCAI of at least 5 and bloody diarrhea
- Form
- Modified-release phosphatidylcholine (LT-02)
- Dose
- 0, 0.8, 1.6 or 3.2 g/day
- Duration
- Not stated in the abstract
- Source
- Reference 4 · PubMed 24796768 (opens PubMed)
DGrade DRemission at 48 weeks in ulcerative colitisUlcerative colitisNo significant difference; underpoweredRCT
n 150 · 2024
No effect Remission at week 48 was 49.3% with LT-02, 50.0% with mesalamine and 43.2% with placebo; none of the differences was statistically significant. The authors called the efficacy signals unconfirmed and in need of an adequately powered trial.
- Design
- RCT, n = 150, 2024
- Population
- Patients in remission after the 12-week induction phase
- Form
- Modified-release phosphatidylcholine (LT-02)
- Dose
- 1.6 g twice daily vs placebo vs mesalamine 500 mg three times daily
- Duration
- 48 weeks
- Source
- Reference 1 · PubMed 37806372 (opens PubMed)
DGrade DSteroid withdrawal in steroid-refractory ulcerative colitisUlcerative colitisMore patients came off steroids in a small trialRCT
n 60 · 2007
Improved The primary endpoint (steroid withdrawal with low or halved disease activity) was met by 15 of 30 (50%) phosphatidylcholine recipients vs 3 of 30 (10%) on placebo (P = 0.002); 24 (80%) vs 3 (10%) stopped steroids without a flare (P < 0.001). Mild bloating was a common adverse event.
- Design
- RCT, n = 60, 2007
- Population
- Adults with chronic steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis and high disease activity
- Form
- Retarded-release phosphatidylcholine
- Dose
- 2 g/day (0.5 g four times daily) vs cellulose placebo
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Source
- Reference 3 · PubMed 17975182 (opens PubMed)
DGrade DPlatelet adhesion with soy lecithinHeart and vesselsHigher platelet adhesion with a very large lecithin doseRCT
n 60 · 1999
Worsened Platelet adhesion rose in all test conditions with soy lecithin (ADP-stimulated 18.7% to 23.2%, p < 0.001; thrombin 24.0% to 29.9%, p < 0.001; resting 3.5% to 6.6%, p < 0.001), while fish oil lowered stimulated adhesion. The authors linked the effect to the omega-6/omega-3 ratio.
- Design
- RCT, n = 60, 1999
- Population
- 60 volunteers randomized to fish oil, soy lecithin or no supplement
- Form
- Soy lecithin (omega-6 rich)
- Dose
- 25 g/day
- Duration
- 15 days
- Source
- Reference 6 · PubMed 10595648 (opens PubMed)
DGrade DPlasma choline and TMAO after a single doseCholine statusRaised plasma choline without a significant TMAO risePK study
n 12 · 2024
No effect Both LPC and glycerophosphocholine increased plasma choline, serum phospholipid and triglyceride concentrations, but neither significantly elevated plasma TMAO. LPC levels stayed within physiological ranges, and no adverse events were attributed to LPC.
- Design
- PK study, n = 12, 2024
- Population
- Twelve healthy men
- Form
- Soy-derived lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), not phosphatidylcholine
- Dose
- 480 mg single dose vs soy oil or glycerophosphocholine
- Duration
- Single dose
- Source
- Reference 7 · PubMed 38490741 (opens PubMed)
∅No effectDeep remission in mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis at 12 weeksUlcerative colitisNo benefit over placebo; stopped for futilityRCT
n 466 · 2024
No effect Deep remission did not differ: placebo 13.5%, LT-02 twice daily 14.2%, four times daily 9.7%. The trial was stopped early for futility after 466 of 762 planned patients were randomized. LT-02 was safe.
- Design
- RCT, n = 466, 2024
- Population
- Adults with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis, all on oral mesalamine at 2.4 g/day or more
- Form
- Modified-release phosphatidylcholine (LT-02), a pharmaceutical-style formulation
- Dose
- 0.8 g four times daily or 1.6 g twice daily vs placebo
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Source
- Reference 1 · PubMed 37806372 (opens PubMed)
What the numbers add up to
Each point is worked out from the data and the sources numbered on this page, with the arithmetic shown under it. It adds no new data and is not medical advice.
Early small trials did not survive a large one
The studied product is not the supplement on the shelf
Lecithin as a vehicle says nothing about lecithin itself
In the 2003 stanol trial, lecithin was the carrier (and the placebo vehicle) for soy stanols, so the LDL and cholesterol-absorption results belong to the stanols, not to lecithin.5
Studied doses
Doses used in research, shown against the official limits. They describe the studies, not a recommendation for you.
Studied doses in research, not advice. These are amounts used in research, not personal advice. Your clinician or pharmacist can say what fits you.
Doses studied in human trials
Doses studied in human trials ranged from a single 480 mg dose of soy lysophosphatidylcholine to 0.8 to 3.2 g a day of modified-release phosphatidylcholine for 12 to 48 weeks in ulcerative colitis trials, and 25 g a day of soy lecithin for 15 days in a platelet study. These are research doses, not advice.74136
Interactions and safety
Published interactions only: each row cites a source. No row means none was found in our sources, not that a combination is safe.
What Phosphatidylcholine meets
2 cited rowsMedicines 1
Supplements and foods 1
- Measured in a human study
Choose a medicine or supplement above to read its cited rows here.
Also cited:
Mesalamine (mesalazine)
RCTMeasured in a human study
Mesalamine (mesalazine): In the 2024 induction trial, all patients stayed on oral mesalamine at 2.4 g/day or more while adding LT-02 or placebo; no interaction was reported, and the add-on gave no benefit over placebo. The study was not designed to test an interaction.
Source 1, Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol (2024)
CholineCholine page
PK studyMeasured in a human study
Other choline sources (choline, glycerophosphocholine, alpha-GPC): Soy LPC and glycerophosphocholine both raised plasma choline in a single-dose crossover; the study compared them and did not test combinations, so total choline intake from several products was not examined.
Source 7, Biosci Biotechnol Biochem (2024)
Interactions
2 agents| Agent | What the source says | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Medicines1 | ||
| Mesalamine (mesalazine) | In the 2024 induction trial, all patients stayed on oral mesalamine at 2.4 g/day or more while adding LT-02 or placebo; no interaction was reported, and the add-on gave no benefit over placebo. The study was not designed to test an interaction.1 | RCT |
| Other supplements1 | ||
| Other choline sources (choline, glycerophosphocholine, alpha-GPC) | Soy LPC and glycerophosphocholine both raised plasma choline in a single-dose crossover; the study compared them and did not test combinations, so total choline intake from several products was not examined.7 | PK study |
Check with what you take
Kept on this device onlyAdd what you take. We list every interaction our evidence profiles cite between Phosphatidylcholine and your picks, and between your picks.
- Loading names…
Add a supplement or medicine you take to check it against Phosphatidylcholine.
Starting from one medicine? The interaction checker rates how serious each pair is, on a curated list of 19 entries for 11 medicines. This cabinet has no severity rating: it lists every interaction row our supplement pages cite.
Who should be careful
4 groups- Soy allergy
- Soy lecithin is a soy-derived ingredient and soybeans are a major US food allergen; FDA's own label example is 'lecithin (soy)'. People with soy allergy should check the source on the label.9
- People with ulcerative colitis
- The colitis results come from a specific modified-release product used alongside mesalamine, and the largest trial found no benefit over placebo. Lecithin softgels are not that product, so they are not a substitute for prescribed therapy.12
- Vascular or clotting concerns
- A 25 g/day soy lecithin trial raised platelet adhesion in 60 volunteers. Anyone with clotting or vascular conditions, or on antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs, should ask their prescriber before using large amounts.6
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children
- No phosphatidylcholine supplement studies in these groups were found in the sources reviewed, so safety of concentrated products is unknown.7
How to read the label
What to check on the Supplement Facts panel.
How to read the label
3 checksLecithin is not 100% phosphatidylcholine
Check the source for allergens
FDA requires packaged foods and dietary supplements to name the allergen source, for example 'lecithin (soy)'. Sunflower lecithin avoids soy but is a different product, and the cited studies used soy.9
Regulatory status
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to common questions; the numbers link to the sources below.
Common questions
6 answersWhat is phosphatidylcholine?
Is lecithin the same as phosphatidylcholine?
No. Commercial lecithin is a mixture of phosphatides of choline, ethanolamine and inositol plus other lipids; the PC share varies.8
Does phosphatidylcholine help ulcerative colitis?
Does lecithin lower cholesterol?
The cited trials do not show it. In the 2003 stanol trial, lecithin was only the vehicle, so the LDL effect belongs to the stanols.5
Is lecithin safe in large amounts?
Data are limited. 25 g a day of soy lecithin raised platelet adhesion in 60 volunteers over 15 days, so large amounts deserve a prescriber's input for anyone with clotting concerns.6
Is soy lecithin an allergen?
Soybeans are a major US food allergen and FDA's label example is 'lecithin (soy)', so the source must be declared.9
Sources
9 sources: trial abstracts, NIH fact sheets and reference databases. Numbers in the text link here.
Sources cited on this page
9 sources- 1Modified-Release Phosphatidylcholine (LT-02) for Ulcerative Colitis: Two Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trials.RCT Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2024 · PMID 37806372
- 2Delayed-Release Phosphatidylcholine Is Effective for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis: A Meta-Analysis.Meta-analysis Dig Dis, 2021 · PMID 33440385
- 3Phosphatidylcholine for steroid-refractory chronic ulcerative colitis: a randomized trial.RCT Ann Intern Med, 2007 · PMID 17975182
- 4First multicenter study of modified release phosphatidylcholine "LT-02" in ulcerative colitis: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in mesalazine-refractory courses.RCT Am J Gastroenterol, 2014 · PMID 24796768
- 5Fat-free foods supplemented with soy stanol-lecithin powder reduce cholesterol absorption and LDL cholesterol.RCT J Am Diet Assoc, 2003 · PMID 12728215
- 6Differential effects of dietary supplementation with fish oil or soy lecithin on human platelet adhesion.RCT Thromb Haemost, 1999 · PMID 10595648
- 7Pharmacokinetics of soy-derived lysophosphatidylcholine compared with that of glycerophosphocholine: a randomized controlled trial.RCT Biosci Biotechnol Biochem, 2024 · PMID 38490741
- 821 CFR 184.1400 Lecithin (GRAS: used in food with no limitation other than current good manufacturing practice)Guideline U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Food and Drug Administration, 1983 · ecfr.gov
- 9Food Allergies (soybeans are one of nine major food allergens; example label 'lecithin (soy)'; allergen source must be declared on packaged foods and dietary supplements)Fact sheet U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026 · fda.gov
What changed
Every dated change to this page: what changed, who made it and why.
Change log
2 entries| Date | Change | Who and why |
|---|---|---|
| evidence | Adversarial review: 2007 steroid-withdrawal p value corrected to the abstract (primary endpoint P = 0.002; P < 0.001 was the steroid-discontinuation result); meta-analysis study count set to 3; the single-dose LPC row filed under heart changed from improved to no effect, since its heart-relevant result is that TMAO did not rise. Author overlap (Stremmel on the 2007, 2014, 2021 and 2024 papers) confirmed from PubMed; 21 CFR 184.1400 and the FDA allergen page re-opened. | Writer: Kymata Health EditorialTrigger: adversarial review |
| all | Initial editorial evidence review. Every PMID checked against NCBI E-utilities esummary (title, year, journal) and each cited abstract read; figures taken from the abstracts. Regulatory status from 21 CFR 184.1400 (eCFR, current as of 2026-10-15) and the FDA food allergies page (content dated 2026-03-11). The 2021 meta-analysis shares an author with the 2007 trial, and the 2014 trial was funded by the product sponsor. | Writer: Kymata Health EditorialTrigger: new page |
Supplement & Nutrient Encyclopedia. Educational information only; it is not medical advice and does not replace a clinician. Dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Statements about supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA.