How Phosphatidyl Serine Can Help Imrove Cognition

Phosphatidyl serine is a phospholipid that is vital to brain cell structure and function. Phospholipids, found in every cell membrane in our bodies, are molecules with an amino acid component and a fatty acid component. Phosphatidyl serine plays an important role in our neurotransmitter systems, metabolism levels of the brain, and maintaining nerve connections in the brain. It appears that phosphatidyl serine levels naturally decline with age.

Phosphatidyl serine is a natural extract of lecithin, P. Serine has been the subject many human clinical trials of memory loss, mood, cognitive performance and learning ability. Many of the studies show that P. Serine can be helpful for those with age-related memory impairment. It can even help to optimize cognition in those with no cognitive impairment!

Aging is associated with altered neuronal membrane lipid composition, enzymatic activity, decreased neurotransmitter synthesis and metabolism and decreased synaptic activity. P. Serine appears to reverse some of these changes and also helps re-establish the normal down-regulation of cortisol secretion that is increased in chronically stressed individuals. It's benefit in dementia and depression may relate to improved brain cell membrane fluidity. Phosphatidylserine (100 mg three times daily) has also been shown to improve the mood and mental function in patients with Parkinson's disease, but exerts no beneficial effects on muscle control.

See also: Supplements/PhosphatidylCholine.html">Phosphatidyl choline

- Natural Medicine Q & A. Pharmacy Times
- Cenacchi T, et al., Cognitive decline in the elderly: A double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study on efficacy of phosphatidylserine administration. Aging 5, 123-133, 1993
- Funfgeld EW, Baggen M, Nedwidek P, Richstein B, Mistlberger G. Double-blind study with phosphatidylserine (PS) in parkinsonian patients with senile dementia of Alzheimer's type (SDAT). Prog Clin Biol Res 317:1235-46, 1989.

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