One of the most noticeable things that many of us find as we get older is that our memory is just not what it once was. In fact, it’s such a common feature of getting older that most of us simply laugh it off, assuming that, as long it’s not a major problem, there’s not a lot we can do about it . We tend to think of it as all being part and parcel of the aging process. But this needn’t be the case. Scientists have now discovered that a little known molecule called Phosphatidylserine (pronounced fos-fa-tidal-sear-een) may just hold the key as to why our memory and mental function decline with age. And if we know what’s causing this decline, then we’re in a better position to be able to do something about it.

So just what is Phosphatidlyserine? Well it’s what is known as a phospholipid. Phospholipids are essential for life and, as a phospholipid, Phosphatidylserine is found in all living things. The role of phospholipids is to form the fundamental building blocks of cellular membranes. As such, they are therefore found in every single cell membrane within our bodies. Cellular membranes surround our cells and act as gatekeepers, controlling what passes in and out of cells.

Phospholipids are classed as biomolecules - that is to say molecules that contain both amino acids and essential fatty acids such as Omega-3 In the case of Phosphatidylserine, it’s made up of the amino acid L-serine and a lipid molecule.

Scientists are only just beginning to unravel the mysteries of Phosphatidylserine. It is thought to have a number of different uses within our bodies, and although its actions are not yet fully understood, it is already abundantly clear that Phosphatidylserine is heavily involved in mental function and that plentiful supplies of it are needed if the brain is to work properly. It’s most important role in this regard is to act as the key building block for the neurons (cells of the nervous system) that go to make up our brains. In particular, Phosphatidylserine enhances neurotransmission and increases the brain’s absorption of nutrients. And it’s this involvement in neurotransmission that appears to be the key as to why Phosphatidylserine is so important when it comes to enhancing memory and cognition, and elevating mood.

Neurotransmission refers to the way in which neurons communicate with one another. Although the 100 billion or so neurons in our brains are located extremely close to one another they do not actually touch each other. Instead they are separated by tiny gaps known as synapses. When one neuron (the transmitting neuron) wants to pass on an impulse to the next neuron (the receiving neuron), it does so by releasing specialised chemicals called neurotransmitters which cross the synaptic gap and bind with special molecules (receptors) that are located on the membrane of the receiving neuron. As a result, an electrical response in the receiving neurotransmitter is either stimulated or inhibited - if it’s stimulated, the receiving neuron becomes a transmitting neuron and passes the impulse on to the next neuron.

There are many different types of neurotransmitters and they each have their own special role to play when it comes to cognitive function. Phosphatidylserine has very specific effects on two of these neurotransmitters - acetylcholine and dopamine.

Acetylcholine is associated with learning and memory and it is now known that damage to the cholinergic (acetylcholine-producing) system is linked to the memory deficits that Alzheimer’s patients suffer from. Phosphatidylserine appears to be able to increase and restore the brain's supply and output of acetylcholine and this is probably why Phosphatidylserine supplementation is so useful when it comes to improving memory.

Phosphatidylserine also encourages the brain to produce dopamine and this is crucial when it comes to your mood. Dopamine is one of the three main neurotransmitters associated with depression. In fact, many people who suffer from depression have low dopamine levels. Without enough dopamine, we feel down and depressed, fatigued and lack motivation. But dopamine isn’t just about mood - it also plays a critical role in controlling both how we move and the flow of information from other areas of the brain, especially memory, attention and problem-solving tasks.

Scientists believe that Phosphatidylserine enhances neurotransmission in a number of ways:

• It enables neurons to metabolize glucose ( needed for energy)
• It increases the number of cell membrane receptor sites which in turn actually increases the amount of communication taking place between neurons
• It keeps the membranes of the neurons fluid enough to enable the release of the neurotransmitters acetylcholine and dopamine
• It helps to eradicate waste products from neurons

All of this means that you need Phosphatidylserine in sufficient quantities if your brain is to function properly.

Unfortunately as we get older our brain’s need for Phosphatidylserine increases whilst at the same time our Phosphatidylserine levels actually start to fall (this decline starts from around the age of 50). And the situation is exacerbated if we’re stressed - stress increases our need for Phosphatidylserine whilst simultaneously reducing the amount that is actually available. For some the situation is made even worse by the fact that they lack certain enzymes and metabolic cofactors required for adequate Phosphatidylserine production.

As our Phosphatidylserine levels fall so our cognitive function declines. Our ability to learn, pay attention, process information and remember things gradually worsens - all the things that we associate with growing older. Not surprisingly, Phosphatidylserine deficiencies have been linked to a number of diseases that feature mental impairment such as dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, depression and Parkinson’s Disease.

The problem is further compounded by the fact that Phosphatidylserine deficiency is not something that can easily be remedied through diet alone. The richest dietary source of Phosphatidylserine is from meat, especially brains and innards such as liver and kidneys - but not many people include these in their diets especially with today’s tendencies to follow low fat, low cholesterol diets that do not include a lot of meat.

What’s more, the consumption of brains from cows has been linked to the possibility of contracting new variant Creuzfeldt-Jakob Disease (the human form of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) - or as it is commonly known ‘mad-cow’ disease). Only small amounts of Phosphatidylserine are found in dairy products or in vegetables (with the exception of white beans). In fact today’s diets may be undersupplying you as much to 150mg per day of dietary Phosphatidylserine, and if you are a vegetarian or vegan then the shortfall may be as high as 200-250mg a day.

So if you want to boost your Phosphatidylserine levels then supplementation really is the only answer. And if you do boost your Phosphatidylserine levels, not only will you be improving your memory but your all round cognitive function and brain health as well.

And taking Phosphatidylserine supplements isn’t just something that should be confined to the over 50’s - although it becomes even more crucial the older you get and there can be little doubt that it is especially helpful for the elderly. If you’re otherwise in good health then it’s something that you too can benefit from. Regular users report a whole host of benefits and not just improvements in their abilities to learn and remember. For example, boosting your Phosphatidylserine levels can help you concentrate better, think more clearly and increase your mental acuity whilst at the same time it can help to lift your mood and increase your general overall sense of well being.

And don’t think it’s too late to start taking Phosphatidylserine. If you already suffer from age related problems such as memory loss, Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia or Parkinson’s Disease, Phosphatidylserine supplementation may be to improve and possibly even reverse your cognitive symptoms.

And the benefits of Phosphatidylserine supplementation reach beyond improving brain function. It may also be useful for:

• Treating clinical depression
• Treating attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Assisting athletes recovery and to help prevent muscle soreness
• Inhibiting stress and exercise induced increase in cortisol

And with the beneficial effects lasting for as much as 30 days after use, taking Phosphatidylserine regularly is an incredible way to boost your memory, cognitive function and mood all in one go.

Note on the safety of Phosphatidylserine:

In the past Phosphatidylserine was distilled from bovine brains. With the advent of concerns over the transmission of BSE to humans, today’s commercially available products now contain Phosphatidylserine that has been derived from soy lecithin (found in soybeans). This has been found to be just as effective as that produced from a bovine origin and avoids any health risks.