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Alpha-GPC and strength and power output: grade C

Limited evidence. Direction: Benefit.

C LimitedIndustry-fundedShort-term onlySingle research group

Educational guidance, not medical advice

Why this grade

Rubric condition met: C: small RCTs only, with mixed results; the B condition (>=2 RCTs with mostly consistent results) is not met, so the more conservative grade is kept (citation-rules 9)

Two small trials from one research group, both funded by the ingredient supplier Chemi Nutra, reported benefits: greater isometric mid-thigh pull peak force after 6 days at 600 mg/day (n=13) and group differences in countermovement-jump power after 7 days (n=48), with no differences on isometric tests in the second trial. A third supplier-funded crossover trial (n=20, single doses of 315 and 630 mg) found no differences in physical performance. A cyclist trial used alpha-GPC only inside a combination product, so it cannot isolate an effect. No meta-analysis was found.

How we grade evidence

Studies this grade rests on

EffectMixedNo effectSize shows participants (n)201520202025RCTCrossover RCTMarcus 2017, 2017: RCT, n = 48, result not recordedHarrington 2023, 2023: crossover RCT, n = 30, result not recordedKerksick 2024, 2024: crossover RCT, n = 20, result not recordedBellar 2015, 2015: crossover RCT, n = 13, result not recorded
each study this grade rests on, by publication year and design. Solid: effect versus the comparator; half-filled: mixed; hollow: no effect; dashed: result not recorded yet. Larger marks had more participants.
Show the numbers
StudyYearDesignParticipantsResult
Bellar 20152015crossover RCT13result not recorded
Marcus 20172017RCT48result not recorded
Harrington 20232023crossover RCT30result not recorded
Kerksick 20242024crossover RCT20result not recorded

Effects of branched chain amino acids, l-citrulline, and alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine supplementation on exercise performance in trained cyclists: a randomized crossover trial.

Harrington RN. Effects of branched chain amino acids, l-citrulline, and alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine supplementation on exercise performance in trained cyclists: a randomized crossover trial J Int Soc Sports Nutr, 2023. PMID 37229544

Result not recorded
Design
Randomized, double-blind crossover trial of a combination supplement, 7 days per arm
Sample
n = 30
Population
Trained male cyclists (mean age 43.7)
Funding
No funding (Crossref funder list)

The effect of 6 days of alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine on isometric strength.

Bellar D, LeBlanc NR, Campbell B. The effect of 6 days of alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine on isometric strength J Int Soc Sports Nutr, 2015. PMID 26582972

Result not recorded
Design
Double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, 6 days per arm
Sample
n = 13
Population
College-aged men
Funding
Chemi Nutra, Austin TX USA (ingredient supplier; Crossref funder list)

Evaluation of the effects of two doses of alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine on physical and psychomotor performance.

Marcus L, Soileau J, Judge LW. Evaluation of the effects of two doses of alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine on physical and psychomotor performance J Int Soc Sports Nutr, 2017. PMID 29042830

Result not recorded
Design
Randomized, placebo-controlled parallel-group trial (4 arms incl. caffeine), 7 days
Sample
n = 48
Population
Healthy college-aged men
Funding
ChemiNutra (ingredient supplier; Crossref funder list)

Acute Alpha-Glycerylphosphorylcholine Supplementation Enhances Cognitive Performance in Healthy Men.

Kerksick CM. Acute Alpha-Glycerylphosphorylcholine Supplementation Enhances Cognitive Performance in Healthy Men Nutrients, 2024. PMID 39683633

Result not recorded
Design
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial (acute single doses)
Sample
n = 20
Population
Resistance-trained healthy men
Funding
NNB Nutrition (ingredient supplier) restricted grant

Search and history

Search (): (alpha-GPC[tiab] OR "alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine"[tiab] OR "glycerylphosphorylcholine"[tiab] OR "choline alfoscerate"[tiab] OR "L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine"[tiab]) AND (power[tiab] OR strength[tiab] OR exercise[tiab] OR performance[tiab]) AND humans[mh]

  • Graded C (proposed): Proposed in the monograph draft
  • C to C (approved): Editor sign-off November 13, 2026: grade matches the editor-approved final page