Alpha GPC is a nootropic supplement that is quickly gaining in recognition among mainstream supplement users in the United Kingdom.
You will find it as an ingredient in several popular brain supplement stacks and it is also being used independently by people who purchase the bulk ingredient.
But if you are unfamiliar with this supplement, you may be wondering what exactly it is, how it works, and what the legal status of Alpha GPC is in the UK.
Alpha-GPC stands for Alpha Glyceryl Phosphoryl Choline and it is a natural component of soy products and milk (including human breast milk).
It is considered to be the best form of the nutrient Choline that you can use for boosting memory and brainpower. Alpha-GPC is a nootropic which crosses the blood-brain barrier more effectively than Choline Bitartrate or Lecithin.
It can play a role in enhancing mental performance and ability. It has been shown to improve memory and cognitive function in people of all ages.



- Choline source to support memory function
- Increases attention, focus & energy
- Neuroprotective for brain cell health
Introduction to Choline
Related Topics
- Alpha Glycerylphosphorylcholine
- What is Choline?
- Alpha GPC Choline Content
- Health Benefits
- Dosages to Take
- User Reviews
- Side Effects
- Uses for Memory
- Effects on the Brain
- Increasing Growth Hormone
- Using Alpha GPC Powder
- Where to Buy Online
- Best Supplement Sources
- Comparison to CDP Choline
- Choline Alfoscerate
- Stacking with Piracetam
It is possible for us to obtain all of the Choline our bodies need from the foods we eat.
Unfortunately, most people do not get enough Choline in their daily diets. In fact, up to 90% of the population is thought to be Choline deficient.
Slight deficiencies will most often go undetected and the symptoms are so subtle that most of us assume they are normal. Mild symptoms can include headaches, fatigue, and minor memory problems. More serious, and much rarer, symptoms are fatty liver and necrosis of the kidneys.
Studies have shown that getting more than the daily recommended amount of Choline can lead to improvements in mental performance for memory formation, reasoning, focus and tests of acuity.
Choline is used in the brain as a precursor to an important neurotransmitter called Acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a key player in memory formation and consolidation. Nootropic users often stack Choline with other smart drugs, especially racetams or Noopept, because these smart drugs increase Acetylcholine activity.
Providing adequate amounts of Choline by taking a supplement like Alpha GPC may allow the brain to function optimally and help potentiate the effect of other smart drugs.
All Choline Supplements Are Not Equal
Choline supplements are available in several forms and all are readily available in the United Kingdom.
They can be found in local health food shops and also through online pharmacies both within the UK and from other countries.
The cheapest form of Choline supplements is Choline Bitartrate. This is often the first Choline choice for new nootropic users.
Although the cost may seem great when compared to other options, it is important to know that most of what you are ingesting is not able to be used by your brain because it is unable to cross the blood-brain barrier.
The second cheapest form of Choline supplementation is Soy Lecithin. It is derived from soybeans and is popular with vegetarians.
This form of Choline, though better than Choline Bitartrate, also lacks good bio-availability, meaning a majority of what you take in will pass through the body and be excreted through the urine without reaching the brain.
Another Choline option is CDP Choline, or Citicoline. This form of Choline is able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier in large amounts and make itself available for Acetylcholine conversion as needed. In research studies it also has been shown to increase the density of dopamine receptor neurons which, in some users, leads to mood enhancing benefits.
Then, there is the premium Choline supplement known as Alpha-GPC. Like Citicoline, Alpha-GPC offers some nootropic benefits of its own with regards to enhancement of memory and cognitive function. Alpha-GPC quickly crosses the blood-brain barrier and breaks down directly into Acetylcholine.
Although this supplement may, at first glance, seem less cost-effective, when you consider the amount to which your body and brain have access, it proves itself to be one of the most cost-effective choices.
Where to Buy Alpha GPC in the UK
There are some who argue that because of its more powerful effects, Alpha GPC should technically be classified as a drug in the UK. In some European countries, a prescription is required in order to buy and use Alpha GPC.
While regulations may change in the future, at present it is possible to purchase Alpha GPC in the UK as a dietary supplement. You will find it as one of the ingredients in the Alpha Brain stack sold by Onnit Labs and you can also buy it as a pure ingredient in bulk powder form.
We recommend buying nootropic supplements from reputable and established companies, whether you are buying online or in your local area. We have found shopping online offers the benefit of easy price comparison.
Local retailers in the UK are few and far between at this point and prices tend to be significant higher. Alpha-GPC is available in bulk powder form or in capsules. Capsules, though convenient, will usually cost 3x more (or more) than bulk powders.
If buying in bulk powder form, we recommend looking for a company with a Certificate of Analysis from a third party lab. This will attest to the quality and purity of the Alpha-GPC you will receive.
One of the unfortunate truths about the nootropics market in the UK is that prices are inflated compared to retailers based in the USA.
While you will need to factor in shipping rates, in most cases it is far more cost effective to order Alpha GPC online and have it shipped to the UK. We have had a good experience dealing with PeakNootropics who readily posts a Certificate of Analysis and they provided quick, professional shipping.
Alpha GPC UK Summary
Alpha-GPC is an especially good form of Choline supplementation with a high bio-availability and cost-effectiveness.
While this nutrient may require a prescription in other European countries, you can buy Alpha GPC in the UK without a prescription from your doctor. For residents of the United Kingdom, it is available for purchase at some health food stores and through online vendors.
Buying in bulk powder form will prove to be most cost-effective. Prices from reputable vendors tend to be much higher in the UK compared to ordering from the USA, even when factoring in shipping costs.
- Plangár I, Szabó ER, T?kés T, Mán I, Brinyiczki K, Fekete G, Németh I, Ghyczy M, Boros M, Hideghéty K. Radio-neuroprotective effect of L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC) in an experimental rat model. J Neurooncol. 2014
- Di Perri R, Coppola G, Ambrosio LA, Grasso A, Puca FM, Rizzo M. A multicentre trial to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine versus cytosine diphosphocholine in patients with vascular dementia. J Int Med Res. 1991
- Amenta F, Carotenuto A, Fasanaro AM, Rea R, Traini E. The ASCOMALVA (Association between the Cholinesterase Inhibitor Donepezil and the Cholinergic Precursor Choline Alphoscerate in Alzheimer's Disease) Trial: interim results after two years of treatment. J Alzheimers Dis. 2014
- Gatti G, Barzaghi N, Acuto G, Abbiati G, Fossati T, Perucca E. A comparative study of free plasma choline levels following intramuscular administration of L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine and citicoline in normal volunteers. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol. 1992
- Scapicchio PL. Revisiting choline alphoscerate profile: a new, perspective, role in dementia? Int J Neurosci. 2013
Article last updated on: March 14th, 2018 by Nootriment