People of all ages can benefit from phosphatidylserine supplementation

No matter how old you are, you will benefit from taking phosphatidylserine supplements. Phosphatidylserine is a type of fat that naturally occurs in all cells in the body, but is mostly found in the brain. It is one of the few brain supplements that has been proven safe and effective for people of all ages. Here are six ways that phosphatidylserine supplementation supports brain health:

1. Phosphatidylserine keeps brain cells healthy – Phosphatidylserine is an important nutrient for keeping brain cells at optimal health. It is a phospholipid, which is a type of fat that has a structure that makes it both attracted to water and repelled by water. This type of structure enables phospholipids to form a phospholipid bilayer, or phospholipids arranged into two parallel layers. This layer, in turn, forms a key component of human brain cell membranes. By supporting brain cell membrane health, phosphatidylserine helps stave off toxins, pathogens, and other unwanted substances in the brain. Phosphatidylserine is also needed by neurons to conduct nerve impulses. It is also important for preserving neuroplasticity and increases brain cell fluidity, which allows cells to stay adaptable and efficiently respond to stressors.
2. Phosphatidylserine increases neurotransmitters – Phosphatidylserine promotes the release of three key neurotransmitters: serotonin, dopamine, and acetylcholine. These neurotransmitters are responsible for almost all aspects of life – mood, stress, sleep, concentration, memory, and others. In addition, phosphatidylserine accelerates communication between brain cells for faster thinking. However, approximately 86 percent of people have low levels of these neurotransmitters. Thus, supplementing with phosphatidylserine will be helpful to increase the levels of these neurotransmitters.
3. Phosphatidylserine decreases cortisol levels – Phosphatidylserine can prevent the effects of stress by reducing cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone responsible for stress, and too much of this hormone can greatly affect health. It can increase inflammation, which can eventually result in diabetes, obesity, heart disease, immune system suppression, and digestive problems. It also harms both brain and mental health.
4. Phosphatidylserine prevents age-related cognitive decline – Phosphatidylserine, as a supplement, is a safe and effective memory enhancer for children and adults. Moreover, it prevents age-related mental decline and helps treat Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and depression frequently experienced by older adults. (Related: Essential fatty acid phosphatidylserine (PS) is powerful prevention for memory loss, Alzheimer’s and dementia.)
5. Phosphatidylserine improves attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms – ADHD is a mental disorder characterized by excessive activity, inattentiveness, and impulsiveness. This condition affects over 10 percent of school-age children. Phosphatidylserine supplementation may be a safe and effective natural treatment for ADHD in place of prescription stimulants like Adderall or Ritalin, which have side effects. In a study, phosphatidylserine supplementation has been found to offer significant improvement in ADHD symptoms in children.
6. Phosphatidylserine enhances other brain supplements – Phosphatidylserine enhances the effects of other brain supplements like curcumin, fish oil, and Ginkgo biloba. Curcumin, one of the most notable all-around brain enhancers, is the active compound of turmeric. It increases blood flow to the brain, decreases inflammation, and enhances production of serotonin and dopamine. It also protects the brain from aging and brain plaques linked to Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately, curcumin is extremely poorly absorbed in the body. With phosphatidylserine, curcumin’s bioavailability increases.

In addition to supplements, phosphatidylserine can mostly be found in unusual animal foods, such as cow brains, Atlantic mackerel, chicken hearts, eel, and offal. Tuna and white beans are the only two common foods abundant in phosphatidylserine, although it can also be found in small amounts in foods like soy, egg yolks, chicken liver, and beef liver. Just keep in mind that phosphatidylserine may cause some side effects, such as gas, insomnia, and an upset stomach. It may also have a blood-thinning effect.

Read more news stories and studies on brain health supplements by going to SupplementsReport.com.

Sources include:

BeBrainFit.com

VeryWellMind.com