by Denise McKee, Ph.D. There are five general classes of
phospholipids. These are phosphatidylserine,
phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine,
phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylsphingomyelin.The
structures and functions of the classes vary, but each starts
with the same basic configuration.The special characteristics of
the different classes of phospholipids depend upon which element
is attached,at the head i.e., whether serine, choline, inositol
or ethanolamine is attached, although it is now beginning to be
realized that the activity of these phospholipids may also be
influenced by which fatty acids make up the tails.
Phosphatidylcholine is an excellent source of choline, a B
vitamin. Phosphatidylcholine is the major component of cell
membranes and is critical for brain and liver function. In the
brain, phosphatidylcholine is the precursor to acetylcholine. In
digestion, phosphatidylcholine is part of the bile complex that
emulsifies fats to facilitate absorption. Technically,
phosphatidylcholine i