Phosphatidylserine: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications

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Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a membrane phospholipid synthesized by prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. PS is synthesized from phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylethanolamine by exchanging the base head group with serine, and this reaction is catalyzed by phosphatidylserine synthase 1 and phosphatidylserine synthase 2 located in the endoplasmic reticulum. PS is the most abundant phospholipid in the human brain. It is necessary for the health of nerve cell membranes and myelin and is important in neuronal membrane functions such as maintaining the cell's internal environment, signal transduction, vesicular secretory release, cell communication, and regulation of cell growth. While the body is capable of synthesizing phosphatidylserine, it obtains most of its phosphatidylserine from dietary sources. Phosphatidylserine is found in small amounts in most foods, notably bovine brain, fish (mackerel, tuna), chicken heart, liver, and white beans. Exogenous PS is absorbed efficiently in humans, crosses the blood-brain barrier, and safely slows, halts, or reverses the biochemical alterations and structural deterioration of nerve cells that occur with age. Thus, consuming phosphatidylserine can reduce the risk of dementia and cognitive impairment in older adults.

Other name(s) 

PS

Scientific name(s)

Phosphatidylserine

Family or group: 

Fatty Acids

Active ingredients:

Phospholipids


Indications

Rating methodology

EFSA approval.

Several clinical trials (> 2) randomized controlled with double blind, including a significant number of patients (>100) with consistently positive outcomes for the indication.
Several clinical trials (> 2) randomized controlled with double blind, and including a significant number of patients (>100) with positive outcomes for the indication.
One or more randomized studies or multiple cohorts or epidemiological studies with positive outcomes for the indication.
Clinical studies exist but are uncontrolled, with conclusions that may be positive or contradictory.
Lack of clinical studies to date that can demonstrate the indication.


Alzheimer's Disease
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Phosphatidylserine seems to improve activities of daily living, verbal expression, and sociability in subjects with Alzheimer's disease, as well as slightly improve memory and concentration. Phosphatidylserine appears to be more effective in patients with less severe symptoms. Furthermore, it may lose its effectiveness with prolonged use. After 16 weeks of treatment, the progression of Alzheimer's disease seems to overcome any benefit of phosphatidylserine. A daily dose of 300 to 400 mg (divided into 2 or 3) for up to 16 weeks has been used.

Posologie

posologieOral

posologie300 - 400 mg

duration16 - weeks


Cognitive Decline
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Phosphatidylserine levels in the brain decrease with age. Supplementation could, therefore, improve memory and cognitive functions in older people. Indeed, clinical studies show that phosphatidylserine improves attention, alertness, verbal fluency, and memory in older adults with cognitive deterioration. Phosphatidylserine also seems to minimize age-related loss of neuronal dendrites and atrophy of cholinergic neurons. In 2003, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that it would allow a qualified health claim stating that phosphatidylserine consumption may reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline. However, the FDA determined there is very little scientific evidence to support this claim. A dose of 100 mg of bovine and plant-based phosphatidylserine has been used three times daily for up to 6 months. Additionally, 1 to 3 capsules of a specific product containing soy-derived phosphatidylserine 100 mg/capsule, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 19.5 mg/capsule, and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) 6.5 mg/capsule per day has been used for 15 weeks.

Posologie

posologieOral

posologie100 - 300 mg

duration12 - weeks


Synergies


Dementia
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In 2003, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that it would allow a qualified health claim stating that phosphatidylserine consumption may reduce the risk of dementia in older adults. However, the FDA determined there is very little scientific evidence to support this claim.

Posologie

posologieOral

posologie100 - 300 mg


Cognitive Performance
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The main clinical use of phosphatidylserine (PS) is to correct mental functioning disorders in middle-aged and older individuals. In several randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, PS improved memory, learning, word recall, and other cognitive functions.

Posologie

posologieOral

posologie100 - 300 mg


Depression
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In a small double-blind trial in women with major depression, phosphatidylserine significantly improved symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as cognition, irritability, and sociability. A dose of 300 mg per day for 30 days was used.

Posologie

posologieOral

posologie300 mg

duration30 - days


Stress
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Phosphatidylserine appears to improve the ability of healthy young subjects to cope with stress, whether physical or psychological. Indeed, a study showed that taking 300 mg/day of phosphatidylserine for 30 days reduces perceived stress in students through timed mental arithmetic tests. Another double-blind trial showed that taking a phospholipid complex with 400 mg of phosphatidylserine and 500 mg of phosphatidic acid significantly reduces stress hormones (adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol) compared to placebo.

Posologie

posologieOral

posologie300 - 400 mg

duration30 - days


Properties


Neurological

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It is thought that patients with dementia or age-related memory disorders have structural or functional abnormalities of neuronal membranes that lead to changes in neurotransmitter functioning. Additionally, individuals with cognitive dysfunction often exhibit altered levels of acetylcholine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Thus, some researchers believe that abnormal neuronal function may be attributed to changes in brain lipid composition. Exogenous administration of phosphatidylserine is thought to normalize brain lipid content and restore neuronal function to normal. On the other hand, animal and human studies suggest that phosphatidylserine improves stress management via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, as well as the pituitary's diurnal hormone secretion rhythms. Other animal findings have indicated that phosphatidylserine has an overall trophic (restorative) effect in the brain.

Usages associés

Alzheimer's Disease, Depression, Stress

Cognitive Function

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It is thought that patients with dementia or age-related memory disorders have structural or functional abnormalities of neuronal membranes that lead to changes in neurotransmitter functioning. Additionally, individuals with cognitive dysfunction often exhibit altered levels of acetylcholine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Thus, some researchers believe that abnormal neuronal function may be attributed to changes in brain lipid composition. Exogenous administration of phosphatidylserine is thought to normalize brain lipid content and restore neuronal function to normal. In animal models, phosphatidylserine improves spatial memory and passive avoidance.

Usages associés

Cognitive Decline, Dementia, Cognitive Performance


Safety dosage

Adult from 18 years: 100 mg - 300 mg

After more than 16 years of use as a dietary supplement, phosphatidylserine has no evidence of drug interactions or adverse effects at doses up to 800 mg/day. The standard dosage recommendation is 100 mg taken with meals, one to three times a day.

Child from 4 to 18 years: 200 mg - 300 mg

Phosphatidylserine has been used safely in children aged 4 to 18 years taking doses of 200 to 300 mg per day for up to 4 months, according to clinical research.


Interactions

Médicaments

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: moderate interaction

Phosphatidylserine is thought to increase acetylcholine levels. Theoretically, combining phosphatidylserine and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors could abnormally increase acetylcholine levels and cause cholinergic side effects. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors include donepezil, tacrine, rivastigmine, and galantamine.

Anticholinergics: moderate interaction

Phosphatidylserine is thought to increase acetylcholine levels. Theoretically, concomitant use of anticholinergic medications and phosphatidylserine could decrease the effectiveness of the anticholinergic agent. Some anticholinergic medications include atropine, benztropine, biperiden, procyclidine, trihexyphenidyl, and others.

Cholinergics: moderate interaction

Phosphatidylserine is thought to increase acetylcholine levels. Theoretically, combining phosphatidylserine with cholinergic medications could excessively increase acetylcholine levels and potentially cause cholinergic side effects. Some cholinergic medications include bethanechol, echothiophate (phospholine iodide), edrophonium, neostigmine, physostigmine, pyridostigmine.


Precautions

Pregnant woman: avoid

Avoid use due to lack of sufficient reliable information.

Breastfeeding woman: avoid

Avoid use due to lack of sufficient reliable information.