Citicoline 500 mg Tablets: A Review of Citicoline Supplements

Citicoline 500 mg is a water soluble supplement that is sold under many different brand names in up to 70 different countries, primarily as a cognitive enhancer.

In the USA the main brand name of Citicoline supplements is Somazina, but you may also see it labelled as Ceraxon and generic Citicoline or CDP Choline.

Overall, there have been a number of different studies and research indicating that this supplement is very effective at increasing mental energy and performance, and even protecting the brain from oxidative stress.

There is also evidence to support the belief that using Citicoline 500 mg tablets (as well as Alpha GPC, another form of choline) increases the benefits obtained from other Nootropics, especially the Racetam family of supplements.

Citicoline

Cholinergic Supplement

Memory

Focus

Brain Health

How It Works:

• Supports memory, focus & mental clarity
• Increases levels of acetylcholine neurotransmitter
• Promotes brain cell health & communication

Dosage:

Between 250 - 2,000 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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Benefits Of Citicoline 500 mg Tablets

The stabilized form of Citicoline is actually naturally occurring and found within the body.

It is an essential intermediary for the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine which itself makes up about 30 percent of all gray matter brain tissue.

However, Citicoline is synthesized in such a way to make it much more bioavailable and more efficient for these necessary chemical processes.

The most recognized and sought after benefits of this supplement are those related to memory and cognition. This includes a reported increase in memory and possibly also learning ability and/or capacity.

There is also some research that supports Citicoline being able to potentiate some beneficial cognitive effects of the Racetam family including increased mental energy, improved focus and concentration.

In most cases, users will not use Citicoline 500 mg supplements on their own but will instead stack them with Aniracetam, Oxiracetam, Piracetam, Pramiracetam or Noopept.

There are a number of additional benefits associated with Citicoline supplements as well. This includes the supplement possibly functioning as a neuroprotectant, helping in the recovery of post-traumatic coma and even strokes, however more research is still needed to confirm this.

There is also a fair amount of evidence suggesting that it can play a major role in treating age related cognitive decline disorders like Alzheimer’s and even some forms of dementia. Using Citicoline powder may also improve neuromuscular functioning in the long term.

Science Behind Citicoline Effects

Citicoline 500 mg works as a nootropic first by being an important intermediary in the making of phospholipids in the cell membranes (especially phosphatidylcholine).

The two main components of the supplement are fully absorbed into the bloodstream through the intestines. Then it is widely distributed throughout the body including the brain after it crosses the blood-brain barrier.

As Citicoline enters the central nervous system it is incorporated into phospholipids. It now helps to activate the biosynthesis of a number of brain phospholipids which leads to increasing brain metabolism.

It also helps to increase levels of Acetylcholine, Norepinephrine, and Dopamine within the central nervous system. These three chemicals are neurotransmitters and are the real key to the method of action of Citicoline tablets.

The brain will use choline first to synthesize Acetylcholine and then turn to the breakdown of phospholipids. CDP Choline actually helps to restore the levels of depleted phospholipids (these depleted levels are thought to lead to cognitive decline).

As many of these phospholipids are preserved this may be what leads to the protection of additional neurons and the overall brain from oxidation. It is also believed to help reduce the inflammatory response in the brain.

If you do not understand the full science behind how Citicoline powder works, that is okay. What is most important is understanding that this natural nootropic compound improves the core functions of your brain’s neurons and how they communicate.

This leads to improvements in many different areas of cognition such as the formation of new connections (learning), the maintenance and access of old connections (memory) as well as perception, concentration and energy levels.

Citicoline, Dopamine, & Other Hormones

Citicoline supplements also have a strong effect on Dopamine and other powerful brain hormones. In addition to encouraging Dopamine release through tyrosine hydroxylase activity it also is a Dopamine agonist and inhibits reuptake of the hormone.

Some studies have shown that Citicoline can be used effectively with L-Dopa to help provide relief to Parkinson’s patients. Increasing Dopamine levels also promotes mood enhancement and is one step in the treatment of depression.

Citicoline 500 mg tablets also appears to have some very interesting effects on other hormones. For example, it raises the level of Adrenocorticotropic hormone without raising the levels of stress hormones.

This eventually leads to increases in chemicals such as Human Growth Hormone (HGH) or Thyroid Stimulating Hormone which can lead to numerous health benefits including the ability to engage in physical exertion more easily and recover faster (great news for athletes).

Research on supplemental Citicoline’s effects on increasing Acetylcholine and other neurological effects is very promising, however more research is still needed. At this time, Citicoline is available as a health supplement only, and the FDA has not approved Citicoline as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions.

Citicoline Side Effects

Citicoline tablets are very well tolerated in humans and they have a very low level of toxicity since it is essentially a natural compound that already exists within the human body.

Some mild side effects have been reported in some users including stomach problems, sweating, diarrhea, and irritability. However these side effects are not serious and very rare with normal usage. Side effects are normally seen when Citicoline 500 mg tablets are taken in very high dosages outside of manufacturer recommendations.

The thing to bear in mind is that Citicoline is one of the best absorbed and tolerated choline sources available, so side effects are much less common than with other supplements.

Unlike these others, Citicoline does not usually cause headaches when taken by itself, although the chance does increase when it is combined with some of the Racetams. (Conversely, some people find that using Citicoline with Racetams will decrease the likelihood of headaches.)

Citicoline vs. Alpha GPC vs. Choline Bitartrate

These three nootropics are all classified as choline supplements because of their effects on Acetylcholine levels. Both CDP Choline and Alpha GPC are superior to any of the Choline Bitartrate sources.

The main reason for this is that the Bitartrate, or salt, formulations are unlikely to lead to any additional Nootropic effects when taken by themselves. Of course, they could also be stacked together with any number of other Racetams or Nootropics.

If you compare Citicoline and Alpha GPC, these two choline sources have very similar effects. They both promote enhanced overall mental performance and cognitive function. Other Nootropic effects are similar and so is the price and dosage. You will likely see some neuroprotection, vasodilation and increases in HGH (even if only slightly).

Ultimately, which of these two Acetylcholine supplements to take – Alpha GPC or Citicoline 500 mg tablets – will be determined by the one you like the most.

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