Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is a major phospholipid found in bile and cell membranes and plays a key physiological role in fat emulsification and bile formation. Scientific evidence for phosphatidylcholine supplementation in supporting gallbladder function is limited but not absent. In normal physiology, PC is secreted into bile by the liver, where it combines with bile acids to form mixed micelles, protecting the biliary tract from the detergent effects of bile acids and aiding in fat digestion. Some studies suggest that low PC content in bile can contribute to the formation of cholesterol gallstones and may be associated with biliary sludge or dysfunction. In animal models, PC supplementation has been shown to reduce gallstone formation and improve bile composition. For individuals with a sluggish gallbladder or after removal (cholecystectomy), it is hypothesized that PC supplementation might support fat digestion, as the absence or dysfunction of the gallbladder can impair efficient bile flow and micelle formation. However, direct clinical evidence in humans is sparse. Most human studies focus on PC for liver support (e.g., non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) rather than specifically for gallbladder issues. In summary, there is a scientific rationale and some supportive animal and biochemical data, but human clinical trials directly evaluating phosphatidylcholine supplementation for gallbladder disorders or post-cholecystectomy support are lacking. Thus, the evidence is in the lower range, but the practice is not purely traditional or without scientific basis.

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