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| Phosphatidylserine (PS) belongs to a group of fat-soluble substances called phospholipids, which are essential components of cell membranes. PS is found in high concentrations in the brain. Phosphatidylserine is the major phospholipid in the brains of humans and animals and plays crucial roles in maintaining healthy brain function. It is a naturally-occurring phospholipid, essential for the membranes of all cells, particularly in the brain. Hence it is another 'smart drug'. Source Phosphatidylserine is found in only trace amounts in a typical diet; very small amounts are present in lecithin. PS may be derived from soy or bovine sources, but concerns about the possibility of humans contracting infectious diseases such as Creutzfeld-Jakob ("mad cow") disease mean that bovine PS is not available in the United States. PS supplements are now derived from lecithin and have been shown to easily cross the blood brain barrier after administration. Adults aged 50 and older -- especially those with age-related cognitive decline -- may not synthesize enough PS, and appear most likely to benefit from supplementation. Numerous double blind studies utilizing oral PS reveal significant improvement in depressed and mentally impaired elderly subjects. PS has some promising effects in stress-related brain decline that take its toll over the decades. Stress causes the pituitary gland to secrete an adrenal cortisol stimulator, ACTH. Two studies from Italy have shown that PS is able to blunt the ACTH and cortisol response to stressors. This means that individuals whose hypnosis-pituitary-A drive is overstimulated may be able to take oral PS to reduce this bad response to stress. PS has been effective in improving memory in Alzheimer's disease cases, and may even prevent or delay onset of Alzheimer's. The benefits of phophatidylserine supplementation on the improvement of mood, memory, behavior, and depression have been demonstrated in numerous well-designed studies on both animals and human subjects. |
| Alzheimer's Disease Depression Elevated Cortisol Levels |