The following functions are known:
- Component of cell membranes – phosphatidylserine is found exclusively in the inner membrane layer – cytoplasmic side – interacts closely with intracellular proteins – PS is particularly important for the activation of protein kinase C, which is important for the phosphorylation of other proteins
- Regulation of neurotransmitter release and involvement in synaptic activities – serine, along with the amino acid methionine, is the starting material for the synthesis of choline, which in turn is required for the formation of acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter
- Regulation of the fluid balance of the cell.
- Calcium binding
- Blood clotting – PS is significant for platelet factor 3.
- Influence on hormone levels, especially cortisol levels.
Promote brain function
Elderly people often have low levels of phosphatidylserine in the brain due to an insufficient supply of vital nutrients, especially methionine, folic acid, vitamin B12 or essential fatty acids. Finally, the elderly often complain of worsened mental function and depression.Quite a few studies have been able to confirm that phosphatidylserine supports brain function and thus can counteract against a decline in cognitive function in old age. A large double-blind study enrolled 425 subjects aged 65-93 years who had moderate to severe impairments in mental performance, particularly memory, reasoning, language, and motor function. They were given 300 mg of phosphatidylserine or a placebo daily for 6 months.At the end of the study, significant improvements were seen in both behavior and mood, as well as in memory and learning performance as assessed by word recall tests.In another study of elderly subjects, significant improvements were seen in short-term memory, concentration, and attention. In addition, depressive symptoms, ability to cope with daily life, and apathy behavior improved. Apathy is usually associated with apathy, lack of excitability, and insensitivity to external stimuli, among other symptoms.One possible explanation for the improvements in cognitive function in the elderly when given phosphatidylserine is increased synthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Increased concentrations of PS can ensure faster and increased acetylcholine release into the synaptic cleft – gap space between two neurons connected in series. This leads to increased memory and mental performance. According to recent findings, phosphatidylserine could possibly increase acetyl concentration at the motor – muscular – end plate during physical strength development.
Influence on hormone levels
The release of stress hormones triggered by physical activity was significantly reduced as a result of phosphatidylserine administration. This effect was observed in both elderly subjects and healthy young people. Of particular interest is the influence of phosphatidylserine on cortisol levels. Cortisol belongs to the group of glucocorticoids and is synthesized in the adrenal cortex. Adrenocortical production of cortisol is stimulated by ACTH from the anterior pituitary. Accordingly, cortisol release is mainly triggered by stress – for example, after resistance training. Cortisol has a very broad spectrum of action. Above all, the stress hormone acts on carbohydrate metabolism – promoting the formation of new glucose -, fat metabolism – promoting the fat-burning effect of adrenaline and noradrenaline – and protein turnover – promoting protein breakdown. In addition, cortisol provides the precursor – precursor – for testosterone synthesis. Finally, after resistance training, there is a sharp increase in cortisol production and release, leading to both muscle breakdown and a decrease in testosterone levels. Due to the high level of cortisol, the hormone itself interferes with the target cells of testosterone production, ultimately reducing testosterone synthesis.The influence of phosphatidylserine on cortisol levels was investigated in a double-blind study on subjects who were divided into two groups and participated in resistance training for all muscle groups eight times within a week. One group took an additional 800 mg of phosphatidylserine in addition to their normal diet, while the other group received an ineffective placebo. Immediately after training, cortisol and testosterone levels as well as mental performance were recorded.The evaluation showed a consistently significantly lower cortisol level after each training phase in the group supplemented with PS compared to the participants supplemented with ineffective placebo. As a result of the lower cortisol production, the PS group showed increased testosterone levels after each exercise session, as testosterone production was now unimpeded. In addition, a large proportion of participants supplemented with phosphatidylserine reported improved mental performance.As a result of this finding, phosphatidyl choline in conjunction with resistance training prevents protein and thus muscle catabolism by inhibiting cortisol production and may ultimately lead to an increase in muscle mass. In addition, phosphatidylserine helps promote recovery after exercise. Low concentrations of phosphatidylserine correlate with:
- A decreased release of neurotransmitters, particularly acetylcholine.
- An increased deficiency of acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft of neuronal cells, which is associated with impaired stimulus transmission – impaired signal transmission impairs mental performance, particularly affecting memory and learning performance, concentration and attention, reasoning ability, and speech and motor skills
- Regression of the nerve cell dendrites resulting in a decline in memory performance.
