Phosphatidylserine CAS NO.574-12-9

1. May Improve Symptoms Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that can rob people of the ability to think clearly, perform everyday tasks and, ultimately, remember who they even are. Phosphatidylserine supplements may increase levels of brain chemicals involved with memory and improve brain cell communication. Although it’s not a cure, taking phosphatidylserine can improve the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia for some. It seems to be most effective in people with less severe symptoms.

In a double-blind, crossover study, people with Alzheimer’s disease who took 300 milligrams of PS per day for eight weeks had greater improvement in overall well-being than those who took a placebo, but there were no significant differences in mental function tests. 

In another double-blind study, 200 milligrams of phosphatidylserine were taken twice daily by 70 patients with probable Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers found that the PS supplementation produced short-term improvements in mental function best documented at eight and 16 weeks, but these positive effects faded after 16 weeks.

PS from cow brains was used in these studies and most others so it’s not yet clear how animal-derived PS compares with plant-derived PS when it comes to Alzheimer’s treatment.

2. Aids the Slowdown of Age-Related Cognitive Decline

Phosphatidylserine from bovine brain phospholipids has been shown to improve memory, cognition and mood in the elderly in at least two placebo-controlled studies. Both studies had elderly patients take 300 milligrams of PS per day or a placebo.

In the first study, 10 elderly women with depressive disorders were treated with a placebo for 15 days and then with a PS supplement for 30 days. The researchers found that the phosphatidylserine produced a consistent improvement of depressive symptoms, memory and behavior in all of the subjects.

A another study published in the journal Aging evaluated the effect of six months of PS supplementation on 494 elderly patients with cognitive impairment. Researchers found that the PS produced statistically significant improvements in behavioral and cognitive parameters after three months and again after six months. In addition, the phosphatidylserine was well-tolerated by subjects. 

3. Combats Depression

Studies show that patients with depression have compromised blood flow to a number of brain regions. Having an omega-3 deficiency is a health condition that can decrease normal blood flow to the brain. Omega-3 deficiency also causes a 35 percent reduction in brain PS levels. So when someone is depressed, he or she is typically low in omega-3s as well as PS. It makes sense that an increase in PS intake through food and/or supplementation can help to combat depression.

Phosphatidylserine also affects the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain related to mood, and research has shown it can decrease the severity of depression. In a one preliminary trial, elderly women suffering from depression who were given 300 milligrams of PS every day for 30 days experienced an average 70 percent reduction in the severity of their depression.