Overview

Phosphatidylserine is a type of phospholipid found in the membranes that surround your brain cells. It is used to improve brain health and for various neurological conditions, but its benefits are not well defined. Although it seems to be well tolerated, there is not enough research to know what common side effects it may cause. Before taking phosphatidylserine, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking.

Uses

What is phosphatidylserine used for?

Phosphatidylserine is used for various reasons related to brain health, but its benefits are not well defined. Some common reasons for using phosphatidylserine include the following.

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Dementia
• Parkinson’s disease
• To improve memory and thinking skills
• To reduce muscle soreness after exercise

Note: The FDA has not reviewed phosphatidylserine for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

Phosphatidylserine is available as a dietary supplement in various strengths and dosage forms. It is often added to products that contain other ingredients, including choline, phosphatidylcholine, and various herbs.

How does phosphatidylserine work (mechanism of action)?

Phosphatidylserine is a type of fatty substance called a phospholipid. Your body uses phosphatidylcholine to form the membranes that surround your brain cells. Phosphatidylserine plays an important role in keeping your brain cells healthy and allows your brain cells to communicate with each other. Your body makes phosphatidylserine from other chemicals in your body, including another phospholipid called phosphatidylcholine. When you take phosphatidylserine by mouth, it can increase the levels of phosphatidylserine in your brain.

Your body seems to make less phosphatidylserine as you age. Some people may also have lower levels of this substance, including people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and other neurological conditions. This has led to interest in taking phosphatidylserine to improve symptoms of these conditions. But its benefits for any use are not well defined. Some studies show that it may help improve certain types of memory or recall, but these benefits were not seen in all studies or in all people. More research is needed to understand who may benefit from taking phosphatidylserine for brain health.

Some people have proposed that phosphatidylserine can help reduce swelling (inflammation) in muscles, which could help reduce muscle soreness after extreme exercise. But it is unclear if phosphatidylserine can actually reduce muscle swelling or soreness.

How should I store phosphatidylserine?

You should store phosphatidylserine according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of phosphatidylserine?

Phosphatidylserine seems to be well tolerated. But there is not enough research to know what the common side effects may be. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that bother you.

There may be side effects of phosphatidylserine that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of phosphatidylserine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of phosphatidylserine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Phosphatidylserine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking phosphatidylserine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Racing heart
• Fever or general ill feeling
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
• Itching or skin rash
• Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain

Precautions

Who should not use phosphatidylserine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take phosphatidylserine.

• Phosphatidylserine (PS)
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific phosphatidylserine products they stock.

What should I know about phosphatidylserine before using it?

Phosphatidylserine is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep phosphatidylserine out of the reach of children.

Dietary supplements that contain phosphatidylserine may also contain other ingredients, such as choline, phosphatidylcholine, lecithin, and various herbs. These other ingredients may have different effects and side effects in the body. Read the product label closely to understand which ingredients it contains.

Many years ago, phosphatidylserine supplements were made from cows. However, there were concerns that these products might be able to spread infections. Now, most phosphatidylserine products are made from soy. It is not clear if the phosphatidylserine that comes from cows is the same as the phosphatidylserine that comes from soy. These substances may have slightly different effects in the brain and body.

The FDA has not tested phosphatidylserine products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using phosphatidylserine?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if phosphatidylserine is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Food Allergy.Supplements that contain phosphatidylserine may be made from soy, krill, fish, or fish eggs. You may be at risk of an allergic reaction to these supplements if you have an allergy to soy, shellfish, fish, or fish eggs. Review the product label carefully to find the source of phosphatidylserine. Before taking phosphatidylserine, tell your health care provider if you are allergic or think that you may be allergic to any of these foods.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how phosphatidylserine could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if phosphatidylserine passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does phosphatidylserine interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between phosphatidylserine and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect phosphatidylserine.

Does phosphatidylserine interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

The interactions between phosphatidylserine and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with phosphatidylserine is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking phosphatidylserine with any medicines.

Dosing

What should I do if I accidentally use too much phosphatidylserine?

If you or someone else has used too much phosphatidylserine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Phosphatidylserine comes in many doses and forms and may be combined with other ingredients. Read the product label closely, and speak with a health care provider about how to take phosphatidylserine safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.