Phosphatidyl-Serine 500 mg Complex [Discontinued] by Nature's Way

POSSIBLY EFFECTIVE

• Age-related cognitive decline. Oral bovine cortex-derived phosphatidylserine seems to improve attention and memory in patients with age-related cognitive decline. It is unclear if plant-derived phosphatidylserine is beneficial or whether phosphatidylserine is beneficial for preventing cognitive decline. Details: Clinical studies in people with age-related cognitive decline show that phosphatidylserine improves attention, arousal, verbal fluency, and memory (2440,2441,7119,7120,15539). Bovine- and plant-sourced phosphatidylserine 100 mg three times daily for up to 6 months has been used in these studies (2440,2441,15539). Most clinical studies have used phosphatidylserine derived from bovine cortex. However, most supplements now use soy- or cabbage-derived phosphatidylserine. There is some preliminary evidence that plant-derived phosphatidylserine also improves memory in people with age-associated memory impairment (15539). Also, clinical research in elderly females with complaints of memory loss shows that taking 1-3 capsules of a specific product (Vayacog, Enzymotec Ltd.) containing soybean-derived phosphatidylserine 100 mg/capsule, enriched with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 19.5 mg/capsule and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) 6.5 mg/capsule, daily for 15 weeks modestly improves immediate memory and sustained attention when compared with placebo (66055,90711). A post-hoc analysis of the results from this study suggests that cognitive improvements are greatest in patients with relatively good cognitive performance at baseline (66055). There is also interest in using phosphatidylserine to prevent age-related cognitive decline. In 2003, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that it would allow a qualified health claim stating that consuming phosphatidylserine may reduce the risk of developing age-related cognitive decline. However, the FDA has determined that there is very little scientific evidence supporting this claim (102363).
• Alzheimer disease. Oral bovine cortex-derived phosphatidylserine seems to improve cognitive function and behavior in patients with Alzheimer disease when used for up to 12 weeks, although benefits may disappear after 16 weeks. It is unclear if plant-derived phosphatidylserine is beneficial. Details: Taking phosphatidylserine orally can improve cognitive function and global improvement rating scales and improve behavioral rating scales over 6-12 weeks of treatment (2255,2437,2438,2439,7114,7118). Bovine-sourced phosphatidylserine 300-400 mg in divided doses daily for up to 16 weeks has been used (2255,2437,2438,2439). Phosphatidylserine seems to be most effective in patients with less severe symptoms (2437,2439). Phosphatidylserine might lose its effectiveness with extended use. After 16 weeks of treatment, progression of Alzheimer disease seems to overcome any benefit of phosphatidylserine (2255). Most clinical studies have used phosphatidylserine derived from bovine cortex. However, most supplements now use soy- or cabbage-derived phosphatidylserine. Clinical studies have not yet evaluated phosphatidylserine from soy or other sources. It is not known if phosphatidylserine from these sources is as effective as bovine-derived products.

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Athletic performance. It is unclear if oral phosphatidylserine is beneficial for athletic performance. Details: One small clinical trial in golfers shows that taking nutritional bars containing phosphatidylserine 200 mg daily for 6 weeks improves the number of good ball flights, which may improve golf score; however, perceived stress levels and heart rate are not significantly affected (68855). A clinical study in recreationally active adults shows that taking phosphatidylserine 400 mg and caffeine 100 mg daily, along with niacin 28 mg, vitamin C 60 mg, vitamin B1 1.5 mg, vitamin B5 10 mg, vitamin B6 2 mg, vitamin E 12 IU, calcium 100 mg, magnesium 40 mg, and carbohydrates in the form of evaporated cane juice, brown rice syrup, and rice syrup solids 16 grams (Nutravail Technologies) for 14 days modestly reduces post-exercise mood disturbances and perception of fatigue when compared with vitamins and minerals alone. The combination does not appear to improve cognitive function or reaction time (91463). It is not clear if the effect of the combination supplement is due to phosphatidylserine, caffeine, or the combination.
• Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is unclear if oral phosphatidylserine is beneficial for ADHD. Details: A meta-analysis of three generally low-quality randomized clinical trials shows that taking phosphatidylserine 200-300 mg daily for 8-15 weeks modestly improves symptoms of inattention in children with ADHD when compared with placebo. However, there were no significant effects on hyperactivity-impulsivity or on overall ADHD symptoms. Also, two of the three clinical trials included in the analysis investigated the effects of phosphatidylserine in combination with the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (105247). One preliminary clinical trial included in the analysis shows that taking soy-derived phosphatidylserine 200 mg daily for 2 months improves ADHD symptoms, including inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity, and short-term memory, when compared to baseline in treatment-naïve children with ADHD aged 4-14 years. However, results from this study are limited due to a lack of statistical comparison to the placebo group (89498).
• Cognitive function. Although there is interest in using oral phosphatidylserine for improving cognitive function in healthy adults, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of phosphatidylserine for this purpose.
• Dementia. It is unclear if oral phosphatidylserine is beneficial for dementia prevention or treatment. Details: In 2003, the FDA determined that it would allow a qualified health claim stating that consuming phosphatidylserine may reduce the risk of dementia in the elderly. However, the FDA has determined that there is very little scientific evidence supporting this claim (102363).
• Depression. It is unclear if oral phosphatidylserine is beneficial for depression. Details: One very small clinical study in elderly adults with depression shows that taking phosphatidylserine 300 mg daily for 30 days modestly improves depression scores when compared to baseline (7113).
• Exercise-induced muscle soreness. It is unclear if oral phosphatidylserine is beneficial for exercise-induced muscle soreness. Details: One small clinical study in athletes shows that taking soybean-derived phosphatidylserine 800 mg daily for 2 weeks during periods of over-training reduces muscle soreness post-exercise when compared with those not taking phosphatidylserine (2264). More evidence is needed to rate phosphatidylserine for these uses.

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POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately. Phosphatidylserine has been used with apparent safety at dose of up to 300 mg daily for up to 6 months (2255,2437,2438,2439,2440,2441,7118,15539,68855).

CHILDREN: POSSIBLY SAFE
when used orally and appropriately, short-term (7117). Phosphatidylserine has been used with apparent safety in clinical research in doses of 200-300 mg daily for up to 4 months in children aged 4-18 years (7117,89498).

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

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ANTICHOLINERGIC DRUGS Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = B Theoretically, phosphatidylserine might decrease the effectiveness anticholinergic drugs.  Details Phosphatidylserine is thought to increase acetylcholine levels (2437,8857,8858), which could theoretically interfere with the activity of anticholinergic agents.

CHOLINERGIC DRUGS Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = B Theoretically, phosphatidylserine might have additive effects with cholinergic drugs.  Details Phosphatidylserine is thought to increase acetylcholine levels (2437,8857,8858), which could theoretically lead to additive cholinergic effects when used with cholinergic drugs.

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General ...Orally, phosphatidylserine is generally well tolerated.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Flatulence, gastrointestinal upset, headache, insomnia, and nausea.

Gastrointestinal ...Orally, phosphatidylserine can cause gastrointestinal upset such as flatulence or nausea. Gastrointestinal upset can occur at doses of 200-300 mg/day (7116,7121,15539,68862,90711).

Neurologic/CNS ...Orally, phosphatidylserine can cause insomnia. Insomnia is more likely to occur with a higher dose of 600 mg (7121,68844). Headache has also been reported (90711).

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