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Phosphatidylserine, or directly PS, has been gaining more attention among scientists and manufacturers over the years, and for lots of good reasons. One of the many phosphatidylserine benefits is its tremendous potential in countering certain mental disorders and stress.
PS is neither a new discovery, nor product. But you will be pleasantly surprised about what it is and what it can offer you.
What Is Phosphatidylserine?
PS is a chemical found in the body, particularly in cell membranes of most species. In humans, half of the phosphatidylserine in the body is located in the brain.
Other notable parts of the body where this chemical has been found include:
- Testes
- Skeletal Muscle
- Liver
- Lungs
- Heart
The body produces this chemical, so you might be wondering: If the body already makes it for itself, why is there any need to take a PS supplement?
Cow brains (bovine cortex), soy, and cabbage, are all used as sources of phosphatidylserine. Recently, sunflowers are also sought after for the production of PS supplements.
Phosphatidylserine can also be consumed from foods such as:
- Potatos
- Carrots
- White Beans
- Anchovy
- Soft-shell Clam
- Trout
- European Sardine
- Cuttlefish
- Crayfish
- Tuna
- Eel
- Atlantic Cod
- Atlantic Herring
- Atlantic Mackerel
- Pork
- Beef
- Veal
- Mullet
- Turkey's Legs and Breasts
- Pig's Liver, Kidneys and Spleen
- Chicken's Legs, Liver, Breasts and Heart
The beauty of supplementation is that you don't have to deal with complicated meal preparation to get your desired amount of phosphatidylserine. Nevertheless, it is still better to combine a healthy diet and proper supplementation.
PS supplements are primarily used as nootropics and aid in stress reduction and brain function, particularly short-term memory and long-term memory.
What Are the Benefits of Taking Phosphatidylserine Supplements?
Several studies have established the value of PS in improving cognitive function. However, the benefits of taking PS supplements are not concentrated to improving mental function alone. After all, the chemical is not only found in and produced for the brain. Below are some of the other unique benefits of taking PS supplements.
Alleviates Some Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease
An Alzheimer patient may rely on PS supplements for a bit of relief.
PS supplements suit patients with less severe cases of Alzheimer's and dementia. It usually takes 6 to 12 weeks of treatment and supplementation before the patient can feel a significant improvement in symptoms.
PS supplements only work on the symptoms of early Alzheimer though. Researchers are still looking for an overall treatment for Alzheimer disease.
Nevertheless, the relief that PS supplements can provide is better than letting Alzheimer's disease and other dementias take over one's life.
Improves Memory and Problem-Solving Skills
As a smart drug, one of the benefits of taking PS supplements is improvements in memory function. This makes it especially suitable for students, as well as older adults, who are more likely to suffer from memory impairment.
This nootropic also helps you to think and act faster when you encounter stress, be it work-related or not. So, if you are either a student, or an elderly, taking this supplement can be very advantageous for you.
Prevents Cognitive Decline
As a part of cell membranes and especially in brain cells, PS is recognized for its role in facilitating faster and more efficient cell-to-cell communication. Sustaining effective cellular communication is key to preventing age-related cognitive decline and short-term memory loss.
With age comes the increased chance of developing age-related, age-associated memory impairment. However, whether you are in your twenties or thirties, you too can suffer from short-term memory impairment, every now and then.
Enhances Concentration
People with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can hardly get things done. The primary reason is their inability to concentrate on one task at a time.
Without having AHDH, there might also be times when you wanted to finish tasks but was unable to because of lack of focus.
With improved memory and analytical skills, thanks to supplementing with PS, staying focused becomes less of a challenge.
You may say that PS enables you to be able to think of a solution right away instead of avoiding the problem at hand and continue procrastinating.
Prevents Stress
Cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, is produced whenever your brain sends a signal that there is a stressor or danger nearby. This hormone then helps power you to formulate a way to face or avoid the danger.
Therefore, stress is an integral part of living and a stress response is not something you would want to be without. Without it, how are you supposed to respond to a dangerous situation?
However, prolonged stress causes high cortisol levels which can be a very serious health concern.
There are plenty of ways to lower cortisol levels, one of which is taking a PS supplement.
In one study, PS dietary supplements was found to be effective in preventing excessive physical stress. This type of stress is often caused by chronic stress, overtraining, or other physical activity done in excess.
Boosts Testosterone
In the same research study as above, the researchers were able to conclude that PS supplements can also increase testosterone levels of men who consume it. So, if you want to enhance your testosterone levels naturally as well as get rid of stress, go for foods and supplements rich in phosphatidylserine.
Below are some of the advantages of high testosterone levels:
- Increased sex drive
- More energy
- Lower LDL (bad) cholesterol
- A healthier heart
- A sense of well-being and calmness
- Weight loss
However, you should know that not all PS supplements are the same as we will soon explain more in detail.
What Are the Possible Phosphatidylserine Side Effects?
So far, the potential reported side effects of taking PS supplements are mild stomachaches. Those who take more than 300 mg a day are likely to have to deal with such effects.
There are currently no studies that can prove that PS supplements made from cow brains can transfer infections and diseases. However, it is still a good idea to avoid bovine-made supplements for your own safety.
Why Should You Choose a Soy-Free Phosphatidylserine Supplement?
Cow brains were once used for the production of PS supplements. However, the fear of mad cow disease prompted manufacturers to resort to soy lecithin instead.
Unfortunately, taking PS supplements made from soy can potentially affect your testosterone levels and lower them. To avoid this adverse effect, you should choose a product that is soy-free (and bovine-free) such as one derived from sunflower lecithin.
What Is the Right PS Dosage?
The proper phosphatidylserine dosage is dependent on various factors such as the purpose for supplementation as well as various health conditions.
For athletes and men, taking a daily dosage of 600 mg is enough to prevent high cortisol levels and increase your testosterone levels.
Where Can You Get a Phosphatidylserine Supplement?
Many different PS supplements can be bought in local drugstores and online. Before you buy one, make sure you read the corresponding phosphatidylserine reviews for each supplement and make sure they seem to be of good quality.
We highly recommend Jarrow Formulas PS 100. Unlike other supplements on the market, this one is made from sunflower and is free from soy, making it suitable for men to use to improve hormone levels.
What's great about soy-free PS supplements is that they can help prevent estrogen dominance, allowing you to maintain appropriate levels of testosterone in your body and prevent stress from disrupting them. Soy is a rich source of phytoestrogens, substances that mimic the action of estrogen in the body. So if you're looking for PS supplements and you want to maintain your testosterone levels at high levels, opt for the soy-free kind such as the one from Jarrow Formulas. Also, Jarrow Formulas's PS supplement is dairy-free and gluten-free.
Conclusion
Staying smart and healthy, and retaining your masculinity is easier with the right supplements. With all the phosphatidylserine benefits, beating stress is not so hard as it once seemed.
Product Image credits: Amazon.com
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