The effect of lecithin supplementation on plasma choline concentrations during a marathon

Background: Previous studies have shown that plasma and urinary free cholin e concentrations decrease significantly during a marathon, and that these d ecreases may be associated with decreased performance. Objective: In a pilot study, we sought to determine whether lecithin supple mentation prior to a marathon would maintain plasma free and urinary cholin e concentrations and improve performance versus placebo. Methods: 12 accomplished marathon runners, males (7) and females (5), 21 to 50 years of age were randomized to receive lecithin (4 capsules BID; PhosC hol 900) or placebo beginning one day prior to the 2000 Houston-Methodist H ealth Care Marathon. The lecithin supplement provided approximately 1.1 g o f choline on a daily basis (2.2 g total). Runners estimated finish time bas ed on recent performance and training. Pasting, preand post-marathon plasma and a five-hour urine collection were analyzed for free choline and plasma for phospholipid-bound choline. Pre-race predicted, as well as the actual finish time, were recorded. Results: All subjects completed the marathon. Plasma free choline decreased significantly in the placebo group and increased significantly in the leci thin group (9.6 +/- 3.6 to 7.0 +/- 3.6 nmol/ml vs. 8.0 +/- 1.2 to 11.7 +/- 3.6 nmol/ml, p = 0.001 for the Delta between groups). No significant change s in plasma phospholipid-bound choline concentration were observed. There w as a non-significant decrease in urine free choline in both groups. Actual finish time was 256.3 +/- 46.3 minutes for the lecithin group vs. 240.8 +/- 62.0 for the placebo group and the actual:predicted time was 1.03 +/- 0.06 (lecithin) and 1.07 +/- 0.08 (placebo), p = 0.36. Conclusion: Short-term lecithin supplementation prior to a marathon maintai ns normal plasma free choline concentration during the race, but failed to improve performance.