I am not sure if this has been posted before and in how much detail, thought it would be of interest :
Phosphatidyl Serine (1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol-(3)-L-phosphoserine, PS) is a phospholipid that's comprised of the amino acid L-serine and a lipid molecule. It is essential to the healthy functioning of virtually all cells in our bodies with highest concentrations in the human brain.
While its mechanisms of action are unknown, PS is thought to:
• Repair damaged nerve cells.
• Maintain nerve cell integrity.
• Enhance neurotransmitter signal efficiency.
• Enhance cognition.
• Elevate mood.
• Enhance memory.
• Increase the brains absorption of nutrients.
• Improve nerve cell signal transmission
For athletes and bodybuilders, PS has additional benefits: it works by lowering cortisol levels in response to weight and endurance training. Release of cortisol is stimulated by stress and low blood levels of glucocorticoids. The bad thing for us though is that cortisol increases the rate of protein breakdown as well as removing amino acids from cells and transporting them to the liver to be used for energy. On the positive side though, cortisol makes this energy available when stress levels are high and it also works as an anti inflammatory agent. After a workout, cortisol levels will rise. This excess cortisol is the real problem. The postworkout high cortisol levels break down muscle tissue and block the entry of amino acids into the muscle cells. Ideally, this is the time when you want to take in a high quality protein supplement and some good low GI carbs to speed healing and growth. The trouble is that regardless of the quality of protein you take, when cortisol is high, protein is more apt to be excreted in urine or processed by the liver into glucose. Cortisol also appears to inhibit carbohydrate use. You may have high blood glucose levels, but the glucose may not be transported into the muscle tissue particularly well.
Thus, by taking phosphatidylserine, you may be able to speed recovery times between workouts dramatically. Because cortisol can halt protein synthesis, PS may actually increase your postworkout absorption of amino acids.
Furthermore, unlike other cortisol blockers on the market (like DHEA metabolites, PS is a ‘non-hormonal’ cortisol blocker that can effectively lower cortisol levels. Also, unlike DHEA, rather than lowering testosterone production, PS can actually increase testosterone production.
PS is present in the cells of all plants and animals, and is derived from egg yolks, soybeans or lecithin (phosphatidylcholine). Because the amount of PS that reaches the bloodstream after surviving the intestinal tract is small, results are best observed over time with regular supplementation. The current dosing is around 400 - 800 mg per day, divided in individual doses (4x200mg per day).Do not take PS if you are using amphetamines (recreationally, to treat depression or to treat ADD/ADHD). Do not take PS if you are using adrenergic agonists like dopamine.
Phosphatidyl Serine (1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol-(3)-L-phosphoserine, PS) is a phospholipid that's comprised of the amino acid L-serine and a lipid molecule. It is essential to the healthy functioning of virtually all cells in our bodies with highest concentrations in the human brain.
While its mechanisms of action are unknown, PS is thought to:
• Repair damaged nerve cells.
• Maintain nerve cell integrity.
• Enhance neurotransmitter signal efficiency.
• Enhance cognition.
• Elevate mood.
• Enhance memory.
• Increase the brains absorption of nutrients.
• Improve nerve cell signal transmission
For athletes and bodybuilders, PS has additional benefits: it works by lowering cortisol levels in response to weight and endurance training. Release of cortisol is stimulated by stress and low blood levels of glucocorticoids. The bad thing for us though is that cortisol increases the rate of protein breakdown as well as removing amino acids from cells and transporting them to the liver to be used for energy. On the positive side though, cortisol makes this energy available when stress levels are high and it also works as an anti inflammatory agent. After a workout, cortisol levels will rise. This excess cortisol is the real problem. The postworkout high cortisol levels break down muscle tissue and block the entry of amino acids into the muscle cells. Ideally, this is the time when you want to take in a high quality protein supplement and some good low GI carbs to speed healing and growth. The trouble is that regardless of the quality of protein you take, when cortisol is high, protein is more apt to be excreted in urine or processed by the liver into glucose. Cortisol also appears to inhibit carbohydrate use. You may have high blood glucose levels, but the glucose may not be transported into the muscle tissue particularly well.
Thus, by taking phosphatidylserine, you may be able to speed recovery times between workouts dramatically. Because cortisol can halt protein synthesis, PS may actually increase your postworkout absorption of amino acids.
Furthermore, unlike other cortisol blockers on the market (like DHEA metabolites, PS is a ‘non-hormonal’ cortisol blocker that can effectively lower cortisol levels. Also, unlike DHEA, rather than lowering testosterone production, PS can actually increase testosterone production.
PS is present in the cells of all plants and animals, and is derived from egg yolks, soybeans or lecithin (phosphatidylcholine). Because the amount of PS that reaches the bloodstream after surviving the intestinal tract is small, results are best observed over time with regular supplementation. The current dosing is around 400 - 800 mg per day, divided in individual doses (4x200mg per day).Do not take PS if you are using amphetamines (recreationally, to treat depression or to treat ADD/ADHD). Do not take PS if you are using adrenergic agonists like dopamine.