Phosphatidylserine Facts

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a phospholipid, a molecule that contains both amino and fatty acids and is important for brain function. PS is available as a nutritional supplement but can also be found in meats. The highest concentration of PS is found in organ meats such as bovine brain or pig and chicken heart, but can also be found in other parts of the animals as well. Phosphatidylserine is used nutritionally to enhance human brain and other body functions.

• Phosphatidylserine is available in supplement form

Function

• Phosphatidylserine (PS) works at the cellular level

  Phosphatidylserine (PS) is found in every cell of your body but is found in the highest concentration in the brain. PS keeps cell membranes working efficiently with important brain chemicals. Phosphatidylserine provides support for neurotransmitters in your brain cells by metabolizing glucose and helping to release and receive neurotransmitters. PS also keeps cell membranes flexible and helps them to process nutrients, which is important for your nervous system and nerve tissue.

Memory and Processing

• Phosphatidylserine naturally decreases as you get older, coinciding with the loss of the ability to remember as efficiently. PS helps to ensure that memory-related pathways function smoothly. According to a study reported by the Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico and Mark McDaniel, there is a possibility that depression, especially age-related depression, may be linked to falling PS levels. Their review found that supplementing PS in aging animals decreased many of the neurological effects of aging and helped restore memory.

Other Benefits

• Phosphatidylserine is sometimes used as a nutritional supplement to lower the stress hormone cortisol and to stabilize other hormone levels. Weight lifters use PS for muscle recovery. According to Body and Fitness Health Research Journal, phosphatidylserine also helps prevent muscle breakdown and improves immune function.

Supplemental Sources

• Until recently, Phosphatidylserine supplements came from bovine sources

  Until recently, phosphatidylserine supplements were made from animal sources, predominantly bovine (cow) brain. Due to concern of potential human infection from illnesses from cows, specifically illnesses like mad cow disease, supplements are no longer made from animals but rather from soy or soy lecithin.

Effectiveness

• Most of the studies done showing the effectiveness of phosphatidylserine have been done using the bovine brain source of PS. According to a 2001 study by Dr. B Jorissen of the Brain & Behaviour Institute of Maastricht, the Netherlands, using soy as a source of PS does not show the same positive outcome for treatment as the bovine source. Jorissen concluded that a daily supplement of soy-based PS does not affect memory or other cognitive functions in older individuals with memory complaints as did previous studies with bovine source PS. Jorissen followed up with a second study in 2002 on the safety of soy PS and concluded that soy derived PS is a safe nutritional supplement for older persons if taken up to a dosage of 200 mg three times daily, but still did not show the same effectiveness as bovine sources of PS.