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LE Magazine September
2002
Page 2 of 2
Mood and stress
With regards to mood and stress, studies have also shown
favorable results with phosphatidylserine supplementation. For
example, studies in both men and women, old and young, have
found that phosphatidylserine can alleviate depressive and
stress-induced symptoms. Researchers at the University of
Milan conducted a small study of 10 elderly women with
depression, aged 70 to 81 years, treated with
phosphatidylserine (300 milligrams per day) for 30 days,
following a 15-day course of placebo. Results showed that
phosphatidylserine increased brain turnover of noradrenaline,
dopamine, acetylcholine and glucose reserves. Using the
Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) and clinical
observation, the researchers also found that, compared with
pre-treatment baseline scores and controls, treatment with
phosphatidylserine caused anxiety levels to decrease
significantly and interests and socialization to increase,
while long-term memory and learning also improved.[12]
In another study conducted at the University of Naples,
Italy, researchers showed that high-doses of
phosphatidylserine administered over a short period of time
could elicit neuroendocrine responses to physical stress in
men that suggest a positive effect on mood. The
experimentation consisted of nine young, healthy men taking
phosphatidylserine (at 800 milligrams per day) for 10 days.
Results from blood samples revealed that phosphatidylserine
significantly blunted the responses of stress hormones, such
as adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and cortisol, to physical
exercise without affecting the rise in plasma growth hormone
and prolactin. The authors concluded that "chronic oral
administration of phosphatidylserine may counteract
stress-induced activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal
axis in man." Otherwise known as the HPAA, this working trio
of hypothalamus, pituitary gland and adrenal glands is what's
responsible for how we respond to various kinds of stress, be
it emotional, mental or physical in nature. With advancing
age, however, the HPAA suffers decline and dysfunction, which
can affect mood.[13]
| Evidence has been emerging for
several years now, indicating that phosphatidylserine
derived from plant sources, such as soybean lecithin,
may be equally effective and safer than that derived
from animal brain sources. |
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An earlier study by the same research team, which examined
physical stress response more specifically, illustrated that
phosphatidylserine could offset the body's response to
physical stress as shown by a marked decrease in stress
hormones. The study involved eight healthy men being subjected
to a series of three experiments with a bicycle ergometer. Ten
minutes before starting the exercise, each subject received 50
or 75 milligrams of intravenously administered PS or a
placebo. Blood samples were taken before and after the
exercise for plasma epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine,
adrenocorticotropin, cortisol, growth hormone, prolactin and
glucose levels. Blood pressure and heart rate were also
recorded. Physical stress increased plasma epinephrine,
norepinephrine, adrenocorticotropin, cortisol, growth hormone
and prolactin, but not dopamine or glucose. Results showed
that phosphatidylserine administration prior to exertion
decreased the physical stress response, as indicated by a
significant decrease in cortisol and adrenocorticotropin,
which secretes cortisol.[14]
At the University of Wales, psychology experts decided to
extend such findings on cortisol response and mood by
measuring self-reported feelings of stress and the change in
heart rate in regards to phosphatidylserine supplementation. A
group of young, healthy adults who had higher than average
neuroticism scores were required to take 300 milligrams of
phosphatidylserine each day for a month, then they were asked
to perform a stressful mental arithmetic task. Despite the
frustrating task, they reported feeling less stressed and
having a better mood.[15]
Cows vs. soybean debate
One issue of debate among researchers is whether
phosphatidylserine from soybean lecithin can match the
abilities of bovine cortex derived phosphatidylserine, since
many of the earlier, telling studies have involved the use of
the latter. Bovine source phosphatidylserine, however, is not
available in North America, given a concern about risk of
infectious agents entering the product when extracted from
cows' brains. But evidence has been emerging for several years
now, indicating that phosphatidylserine derived from plant
sources, such as soybean lecithin, may be equally effective
and safer than that derived from animal brain sources.
In 1990, a two-month treatment study using plant-derived
soybean phosphatidylserine showed positive effects on daily
functioning, emotional state and self-reported general
condition of Alzheimer's disease patients.[16]
A team of Tokyo scientists compared both the composition
and pharmacological properties of phosphatidylserine prepared
from soybean lecithin with those of bovine cortex source
phosphatidylserine to improve cognitive disorders of senile
dementia patients. They found a difference in their fatty acid
composition. The plant derived phosphatidylserine was rich in
linoleic and palmitic acids, whereas the animal source
phosphatidylserine was mainly comprised of stearic and oleic
acids. Despite their different makeup, both forms of
phosphatidylserine, orally administered at a dose of 300
milligrams per day, were able to significantly increase brain
glucose concentrations in mice, and restore memory function
experimentally impeded by pharmacologically-induced amnesia in
rats.[17]
In another study, Israeli researchers found that treating
15 healthy elderly volunteers with age related memory
impairment with 300 milligrams per day plant-source derived
phosphatidylserine for 12 weeks improved memory. The authors
conclude that, if born out by large, controlled trials, "this
may be a viable approach to the treatment of age-related
cognitive decline, without exposing the patients to possible
hazards involved in the treatment with bovine derivative of
PS."[18]
A more recent Japanese study looked at how
phosphatidylserine from soybean lecithin might improve memory
impairment in aged rats. These researchers found that
phosphatidylserine significantly improved performance in a
water maze escape test compared to control aged rats, much
like bovine brain cortex derived phosphatidylserine.
Additionally, it also increased acetylcholine release and
synaptic activity (which helps to build communication links
between working brain cells).[19]
Safe and sound findings
The fact that there have been no reported toxicity issues
or adverse effects with phosphatidylserine supplementation
speaks to its high safety profile. A follow-up survey of
Alzheimer's patients in a two-month treatment study found that
phosphatidylserine is very tolerable for patients, since
nearly half of the participants of the treatment group decided
to continue treatment at their own expense, in contrast to
none in the placebo group.[16]
Likewise, in a large, multicenter study of nearly 500
geriatric patients over a six-month period, the administration
of phosphatidylserine together with other drugs that they were
taking failed to show any pharmacological interactions, as no
clinical signs and symptoms were evident.[5] The only contraindications with
other drugs to date are blood thinners, such as Coumadin and
heparin-phosphatidylserine may enhance their effects.[20] This means if you are taking
Coumadin and phosphatidylserine, your doctor may be able to
lower the dose of Coumadin if your coagulation blood tests
(Prothrombin and INR) indicate that phosphatidylserine is
helping Coumadin work better.
| A younger population may take
advantage of phosphatidylserine's ability to fight
stress, improve mood and sharpen mental faculties, while
resting assured that this vital brain nutrient also plays
a hand in preventing the damage done by passing
years. |
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Given the emergence of the safer soybean lecithin-derived
phosphat-idylserine and the evidence building to support its
role in brain health, we can consider this phospholipid a
dutiful soldier in the battle against age-related cognitive
decline. Moreover, a younger population may take advantage of
phosphatidylserine's ability to fight stress, improve mood and
sharpen mental faculties, while resting assured that this
vital brain nutrient also plays a hand in preventing the
damage done by passing years.
References
1. Kidd PM. A review of nutrients and
botanicals in the integrative management of cognitive
dysfunction. Altern Med Rev
1999 Jun;4(3):144-61.
2. Palmieri, G., et al., Double-blind controlled trial of
phosphatidylserine in patients with senile mental
deterioration. Clin. Trials
J. 1987;24:73-83.
3. Delwaide PJ, et al. Double-blind randomized controlled
study of phosphatidylserine in senile demented patients. Acta Neurol Scand 1986
Feb;73(2):136-40.
4. Crook TH, et al. Effects of phosphatidylserine in
age-associated memory impairment. Neurology 1991
May;41(5):644-649.
5. Cenacchi T, et al. Cognitive decline in the elderly: a
double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study on efficacy
of phosphatidylserine administration. Aging (Milano) 1993
Apr;5(2):123-33.
6. Funfgeld EW, et al. Double-blind study with
phosphatidylserine (PS) in parkinsonian patients with senile
dementia of Alzheimer's type (SDAT). Prog Clin Biol Res
1989;317:1235-46.
7. (no authors listed) Phosphatidylserine in the treatment of
clinically diagnosed Alzheimer's disease. The SMID Group.
J Neural Transm Suppl
1987;24:287-92.
8. Amenta F, et al. Treatment of cognitive dysfunction
associated with Alzheimer's disease with cholinergic
precursors. Ineffective treatments or inappropriate
approaches? Mech Ageing Dev
2001 Nov;122(16):2025-40.
9. Heiss WD, et al. Activation PET as an instrument to
determine therapeutic efficacy in Alzheimer's disease. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1993 Sep
24;695:327-31.
10. Crook T, et al. Effects of Phosphatidylserine in
Alzheimer's Disease. Psychopharmacol Bull
1992;28(1):61-66.
11. Engel RR, Double-blind cross-over study of
phosphatidylserine vs. placebo in patients with early dementia
of the Alzheimer type. Eur
Neuropsychopharmacol 1992 Jun;2(2):149-55.
12. Maggioni M, et al. Effects of Phosphatidylserine Therapy
in Geriatric Patients With Depressive Disorders. Acta Psychiatr Scand
1990;81:265-270.
13. Monteleone P, et al. Blunting by chronic
phosphatidylserine administration of the stress-induced
activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in
healthy men. Eur J Clin
Pharmacol 1992;42(4):385-388.
14. Monteleone P, et al. Effects of phosphatidylserine on the
neuroendocrine response to physical stress in humans. Neuroendocrinology 1990
Sep;52(3):243-8.
15. Benton D, et al. The influence of phosphatidylserine
supplementation on mood and heart rate when faced with an
acute stressor. Nutr
Neurosci 2001;4(3):169-78.
16. Gindin, J., et al. 1990, Effect of Soy Lecithin
Phosphatidylserine (PS) Treatment on Daily Functioning and
Self-Reported General Condition in Patients with Alzheimer's
Disease, The Geriatric Institute of Education and Research
Kaplan Medical Centre, Rehovot, and Hadassah Medical School,
Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
17. Sakai M, et al. Pharmacological effects of
phosphatidylserine enzymatically synthesized from soybean
lecithin on brain functions in rodents. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 1996
Feb;42(1):47-54.
18. Schreiber S, et al. An open trial of plant-source derived
phosphatidylserine for treatment of age-related cognitive
decline. Isr J Psychiatry Relat
Sci 2000;37(4):302-7.
19. Suzuki S, et al. Oral administration of soybean lecithin
transphosphatidylated phosphatidylserine improves memory
impairment in aged rats. J
Nutr 2001 Nov;131(11):2951-6.
20. Van den Besselaar AM. Phosphatidylethanolamine and
phosphatidylserine synergistically promote heparin's
anticoagulant effect. Blood Coagul
Fibrinolysis 1995;6:239-244.
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