Out of all the nutrients that are essential to regulate the health of both the body and the brain, Choline is one of the more significant ones. Choline is very crucial to the synthesis of cell membranes and it is a precursor to Acetylcholine in the brain, thus it aids in keeping a good functioning of memory.
The inherent process of Acetylcholine begins to decline as the human body ages which makes it even more important to ensure that your system is receiving enough Choline. This can be achieved through either your diet or taking supplements.
Alpha GPC and CDP Choline are two of the most famous supplements available, but choosing the best one has recently become source of contention. This article offers different perspectives on the two and will compare the both, CDP Choline and Alpha GPC.
What are Alpha GPC and CDP Choline:
Our body turns Choline into CDP Choline. In the brain CDP Choline expands the dopamine receptors and after the process breaks down into a chemical called Phosphatidylcholine. Phosphatidylcholine aids in the process of membrane creation in the body and when necessary makes more Acetylcholine.
Acetylcholine is an organic based substance that behaves as a neurotransmitter within the nervous system. Alpha GPC, on the other hand, is a Phosphatidylcholine by-product. This means that during Choline metabolism, CDP Choline is closer to the original source of Choline, whereas Alpha GPC is closer to Choline used by the cells.
Because CDP Choline and Alpha GPC both play major roles in the same process, it would not be unreasonable to ask which is a better supplement for brain health. In the nootropic community, both supplements are seen to have equally positive reviews.
Currently, it is not easy to answer this question and is a very hot topic for contention. Recently there have been two experiments done that compared the two options.
“It was shown in the first experiment that Alpha GPC had the ability to increase mental abilities more than CDP Choline.”
The second experiment showed that higher levels of plasma concentration of choline were found after Alpha GPC use. It is difficult to say which supplement is better until more studies comparing the two are done.
Many individuals suggest that Alpha GPC acts faster and creates effects that are more noticeable, and others suggest the same about CDP Choline. Therefore, it would be best if you tested both of them yourself. Start with one for one or two weeks and then switch over to the other nootropic. This way you will know which one is the best choice and if one works better than the other.
When looking at the two supplements separately, it is very obvious that both have been shown to be effective. CDP Choline works very differently from Alpha GPC, and although both increase the amount of Acetylcholine in the body, the metabolism process for each supplement is different.
CDP Choline acts as an intermediate to Acetylcholine, whereas Acetylcholine is a by-product in the breakdown of Alpha GPC. Although they both work differently, you will receive similar results during use, and both are better options than other sources of Choline in the market.
Alpha GPC vs. CDP Choline cost:
On average Alpha GPC is more expensive than CDP Choline, but both have similar recommended levels of dosage which is about 100-500 milligrams a day. Both last for about the same time span, and since the price difference is not at such a disparity, the choice between the two usually comes down to personal preference.
However breastfeeding women are not advised to use CDP Choline. It is also interesting to note that natural breast milk contains Alpha GPC, and some experts believe that it may lead toward an increase in brain function in breastfed babies.
Prices:
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Alpha GPC vs. CDP Choline in your stack:
Both supplements are very effective when they are stacked, especially with racetams that create a high demand for Acetylcholine. Once you have stacked either of these two you will begin to experience an amplified nootropic effect. Taking CDP Choline or Alpha GPC with other Nootropics can increase positive results, but could also prevent some of the negative results from occurring.
For example, if you use a Nootropic stack that occasionally causes you a headache adding one of these supplements may stop these side effects. Piracetam, Oxiracetam, Pramiracetam, Noopept, and Aniracetam, are only some of the recommended racetams to stack these supplements with.
As stated above, until further research is done when deciding between the two nootropics you should try both out and see which affects you more.