Phosphatidylserine

•  Phosphatidylserine is a chemical. The body can make phosphatidylserine, but gets most of what it needs from foods. Phosphatidylserine supplements were once made from cow brains, but now are commonly manufactured from cabbage or soy. The switch was triggered by a concern that products made from animal sources might cause infections such as mad cow disease.

• Uses
• Benefits
• Cautions
• Interactions
• References

Uses

• Phosphatidylserine is used for Alzheimer’s disease, age-related decline in mental function, improving thinking skills in young people, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, preventing exercise-induced stress, and improving athletic performance.

Benefits

• Phosphatidylserine is an important chemical with widespread functions in the body. It is part of the cell structure and is key in the maintenance of cellular function, especially in the brain.

Cautions

• Phosphatidylserine is POSSIBLY SAFE most adults and children when taken by mouth appropriately. It has been used in research studies for up to six months.
• Phosphatidylserine can cause side effects including insomnia and stomach upset, particularly at doses over 300 mg.
• There is some concern that products made from animal sources could transmit diseases, such as mad cow disease. To date, there are not any known cases of humans getting animal diseases from phosphatidylserine supplements, but look for supplements made from plants to be on the safe side.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking phosphatidylserine if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Be on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination:

• Drying medications (Anticholinergic drugs) interacts with PHOSPHATIDYLSERINE: Some drying medications are called anticholinergic drugs. Phosphatidylserine might increase chemicals that can decrease the effects of these drying medications.
  • Some drying medications include atropine, scopolamine, and some medications used for allergies (antihistamines) and for depression (antidepressants).
• Medications for Alzheimer’s disease (Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors) interacts with PHOSPHATIDYLSERINE: Phosphatidylserine might increase a chemical in the body called acetylcholine. Medications for: Alzheimer’s disease called acetylcholinesterase inhibitors also increase the chemical acetylcholine. Taking phosphatidylserine along with medications for Alzheimer’s disease might increase effects and side effects of medications for Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Some acetylcholinesterase medications include donepezil (Aricept), tacrine (Cognex), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Reminyl, Razadyne).
• Various medications used for glaucoma, Alzheimer’s disease, and other conditions (Cholinergic drugs) interacts with PHOSPHATIDYLSERINE:Phosphatidylserine might increase a chemical in the body called acetylcholine. This chemical is similar to some medications used for glaucoma, Alzheimer’s disease, and other conditions. Taking phosphatidylserine with these medications might increase the chance of side effects.
  • Some of these medications used for glaucoma, Alzheimer’s disease, and other conditions include pilocarpine (Pilocar and others), and others.

References

Source: WebMD, “Phosphatidylserine”, www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/