Product Information

A "smart" supplement that improves mood, memory, stress resistance and concentration. Helps brain cells communicate. Increases intelligence and assists with Memory, Mood and Mental Function. Enhances the health status of people who engage in intensive excersize. Useful for Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

Description

Phosphatidylserine is a Phosphoglyceride Phospholipid that occurs naturally in the Brain and is also synthetically manufactured for use as a supplement.

Health Benefits of Phosphatidylserine

Cardiovascular System

Phosphatidylserine may help to prevent Atherosclerosis (by mediating the removal of dead cells in vascular Smooth Muscle Cells by Phagocytes).
Phosphatidylserine may help to prevent Hypertension.

Cells

Phosphatidylserine concentrates in Cell Membranes where it is intricately involved in the repair of, strength, permeability, elasticity and maintenance of the structural integrity of all of the body's Cell Membranes (especially those of the Brain’s Neurons, i.e. the Myelin Sheaths):

In Myelin Sheaths, Phosphatidylserine is the dominant Phospholipid it appears to be important for anchoring Proteins in Myelin Sheaths.

Immune System

Phosphatidylserine may activate cells of the Immune System:

Phosphatidylserine may enhance the ability of Phagocytes to remove dead cells from vascular Smooth Muscle cells.

Metabolism

Phosphatidylserine may enhance the health of people who engage in intensive Exercise (it may reduce the endogenous release of Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) and Cortisol normally caused by the Stress associated with intensive Exercise).

Nervous System

Phosphatidylserine may improve the Memory and Mood of people afflicted with Age-Associated Memory Impairment (AAMI) it is estimated that supplemental PS may reverse approximately 12 years worth of Memory decline:

In one human study of Phosphatidylserine for AAMI, 300 mg of Phosphatidylserine per day for 12 weeks caused maximum improvement in those people with the worst Memory impairment. The improvement in Memory was sustained for up to one month after the cessation of Phosphatidylserine treatment.
Phosphatidylserine (300 400 mg per day) may alleviate many of the symptoms associated with early Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia:

Studies have shown that 300 mg of PS per day for eight weeks restores the EEG patterns of Alzheimer’s Disease patients to normal, while 400 mg of PS per day improves Brain Glucose metabolism, normalizes EEG patterns and improves cognition.

Phosphatidylserine may increase the generation of Alpha Waves in the Brain by 15% 20% (indicating elevated Acetylcholine/Cholinergic activity in the Brain).
Phosphatidylserine may alleviate Anxiety.
Phosphatidylserine may reduce Apathy (especially in people aged 55 80).

Phosphatidylserine is under investigation as a possible treatment for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Phosphatidylserine may improve Attention Span (especially in people aged 55 80). Phosphatidylserine concentrates in the Brain and is the major Phospholipid in the Myelin Sheaths of the Brain’s Neurons (the Brain contains the body’s highest concentrations of PS).

Phosphatidylserine may improve Concentration (especially in people aged 55 80).
Phosphatidylserine may prevent the age-associated decline in the number of Dendrites within the Brain.
Phosphatidylserine (300 400 mg per day for 30 60 days) may alleviate Depression especially in elderly subjects.

Phosphatidylserine may help to stabilize Brain Wave patterns in Epilepsy patients.
Phosphatidylserine may improve the Brain's utilization and metabolism of Glucose.
Phosphatidylserine may inhibit the decline in the function of the Hippocampus that occurs in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process.

Phosphatidylserine may increase Intelligence:

In one study baby mice were supplemented with PS from birth for two months. After one month of PS supplementation the supplemented mice had higher Intelligence than control mice and after two months, the supplemented mice learned faster and more accurately than control adult mice.

Phosphatidylserine (200 mg per day) improves Learning ability in normal, healthy subjects

Phosphatidylserine may prevent the decline in Learning capacity that occurs in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process.

Phosphatidylserine may improve Memory (especially in people affected by Age-Associated Memory Impairment (AAMI)):

Phosphatidylserine may improve Short-Term Memory. In one study on humans aged 55 80 years with mild cognitive impairment benefits noted were: improved ability to learn and recall names of familiar persons, recall the location of misplaced objects, recall details from the prior week; recall telephone numbers, paragraph recall, ability to concentrate while reading, conversing and performing tasks.

Phosphatidylserine may improve Mental Function (in persons with Memory impairment).

Phosphatidylserine may improve Mood (especially in elderly persons).

Phosphatidylserine may improve the fluidity of the Neuron's Myelin Sheaths. Phosphatidylserine may counteract the age-related impairment in the function of the Brain’s
N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptors (NMDA Receptors), increases the density (number) of NMDA Receptors and improves the ability of Glutamic Acid and Glycine to bind to NMDA Receptors.

Phosphatidylserine may prevent some degenerative Neuron damage in some parts of the Brain:

Phosphatidylserine may help to restore the plasticity of the Synapses of Neurons.

Phosphatidylserine may increase the number of Neurotransmitter Receptors (sites for Neurotransmitters) within the Brain.

Phosphatidylserine may facilitate the transmission of Nerve Impulses.

Phosphatidylserine may be useful for the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease.

Phosphatidylserine may improve Reflexes.                                                                                                                                                           

Phosphatidylserine may counteract the excessive release of Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) and Cortisol that occurs as a result of the excessive Stress.

Phosphatidylserine may Enhance the Function of these Substances

Amino Acids

Phosphatidylserine may enhance the ability of Glutamic Acid to bind to N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) Receptors in the Brain.
Phosphatidylserine may enhance the ability of Glycine to bind to N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) Receptors in the Brain.

Carbohydrates

Phosphatidylserine may enhance the efficiency of Glucose metabolism within the Brain.

Enzymes

Phosphatidylserine may stimulate the production of Protein-Kinase-C.

Growth Factors

Phosphatidylserine may enhance the function of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF):

Phosphatidylserine may inhibit the degeneration of Nerve Growth Factor Receptors that occurs in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process.
Phosphatidylserine may stimulate the synthesis and release of Nerve Growth Factor from Neurons.

Hormones

Phosphatidylserine may (under some circumstances) increase the production of Pregnenolone.
Phosphatidylserine may normalize the daily secretion of Thyrotrophin.

Lipids

Phosphatidylserine may increase the incorporation of Choline into Phosphatidylcholine.
Most endogenous Phosphatidylethanolamine is produced within the Mitochondria from Phosphatidylserine.

Neurotransmitters

Phosphatidylserine may facilitate the production and release of Acetylcholine within the Cerebral Cortex and reverses the decline in Acetylcholine release that occurs in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process.
Phosphatidylserine may stimulate the release of Dopamine.

Phosphatidylserine may increase the incorporation of Choline into Phosphatidylcholine:

Phosphatidylserine may enhance the function of CDP-Choline.

Phosphatidylserine may Counteract these Potentially Toxic Substances

Hormones

Phosphatidylserine may reduce the excessive release of Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) that occurs as a result of the excessive Stress.
Phosphatidylserine may reduce the excessive release of Cortisol that occurs as a result of the excessive Stress and may help to prevent Cortisol-related Brain damage.

These Substances may Enhance the Function of Phosphatidylserine

Enzymes

Phosphatidylserine Decarboxylase catalyzes the conversion of Phosphatidylserine to Phosphatidylethanolamine.

Lipids

Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) comprises approximately 30% of the Fatty Acids of the Phosphatidylserine content of the Brain.

Vitamins

CDP-Choline may restore Brain levels of Phosphatidylserine to normal.
Vitamin B6 is a cofactor for the Phosphatidylserine Decarboxylase enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of Phosphatidylserine to Phosphatidylethanolamine.

Dietary Sources of Phosphatidylserine

(mg of substance per 100 mg)

Processed Plant Foods: Soy Lecithin 400
Egg Yolk Lecithin 1,000

Occasional Toxic Effects of Phosphatidylserine

Nervous System

Phosphatidylserine may occasionally cause mild Nausea.

Contra indications

Pharmaceutical Drugs

People who are using Pharmaceutical Anticoagulants such as Warfarin should consult their physician before using supplementary Phosphatidylserine. Phosphatidylserine enhances the effectiveness of Pharmaceutical Anticoagulants and Phosphatidylserine use may necessitate lowered dosages of Pharmaceutical Anticoagulants.

Bioavailability

Phosphatidylserine has been shown to exhibit excellent bioavailability when supplemented orally, with elevated blood serum levels appearing after 30 minutes, with subsequent uptake by the Liver, and the Brain (it readily crosses the Blood-Brain Barrier).

Forms of Phosphatidylserine

Bovine Phosphatidylserine (also known as: Bovine Cortex Phosphatidylserine; BC-PS) is a supplemental form of Phosphatidylserine derived from the Cortex of the Brain of Cattle. BC-PS contains greater levels of Stearic Acid and Oleic Acid in its molecular structure than Soy Phosphatidylserine.
Soy Phosphatidylserine (also known as: Vegetable-derived Phosphatidylserine; SB-PS) is the more common form of supplemental Phosphatidylserine. It is derived from Soybeans. Soy Phosphatidylserine contains greater levels of Alpha-Linolenic Acid and Palmitic Acid in its molecular structure than Bovine Phosphatidylserine. Soy Phosphatidylserine is equally effective as (and possibly more effective than) Bovine Phosphatidylserine for therapeutic purposes.

Dosage Recommendations

Duration of Action

The Memory enhancing effects of Phosphatidylserine can last for up to a month after Phosphatidylserine therapy is discontinued.

Timing Considerations

It is recommended that supplemental Phosphatidylserine be taken with meals (as it can cause rapid release of Dopamine if taken on an empty Stomach; this rapid release of Dopamine may cause Nausea in some individuals).
Supplemental Phosphatidylserine should NOT be taken immediately prior to going to bed as it may delay the onset of Sleep.

Dosages

The usual dose of Phosphatidylserine for people seeking to improve Mental Function is 100 150 mg taken twice per day (= 200 300 mg per day) for the first twelve weeks of use. Clinical studies have demonstrated that after twelve weeks of 200 300 mg per day use, the effective dosage can be reduced to 100 mg per day.

The amount of Phosphatidylserine required to inhibit Cortisol release is 800 mg per day.

Clinical trials involving persons with Age-Associated Memory Impairment (AAMI) and Alzheimer’s Disease have used three doses of 100 mg of Phosphatidylserine each per day (= 300 mg per day) for the first twelve weeks of use. Clinical studies have demonstrated that after twelve weeks of 200 300 mg per day use, the effective dosage can be reduced to 100 mg per day.