PhosphatidylSerine (PS)

Following on from the omega-3s, there’s a good deal of evidence to support the role of phosphatidylSerine (PS) during early brain development, and the lack of it during mental deterioration.

One of the leading suppliers, Enzymotec, has teamed up with key investigators in major research institutions in order to study the effect of phopshatidylserine on cognitive performance in non-demented elderly individuals with memory complaints.

Yossi Kam PhD, Enzymotec’s scientific program director, told us that a recent study (Richter, 2013) demonstrated that following consumption of the company’s Sharp PS for 12 weeks produced a beneficial effect on cognitive performance in elderly with memory complaints.

A second report (Vakhapova, 2014) demonstrates that consumption of 100 mg/day of Sharp PS might be associated with improving or maintaining cognitive status in elderly subjects with memory complaints, said Dr Kam.

“According to a recent survey published by the CDC, almost 75% of the US consumers are concerned about memory loss,” ​Yael Glickman PhD, cognitive category manager for Enzymotec, told NutraIngredients-USA. “Since an estimated 16 million Americans are living with cognitive impairment, there is an increasing need for natural products that can help improve memory abilities and maintain cognitive functions. Compared to other cognitive solutions, we believe that PS is the best solution for brain health with clinically proven long term effects. ​

“Traditionally PS was delivered only as dietary supplements, however the market of brain health ingredients for functional foods and beverages is fast growing. Enzymotec's breakthrough technology, allows us now to apply brain health ingredient – phosphatidylserine, to functional products including milk, milk formulae, dairy products or gummies. ​

“Sharp PS has been recently applied in products of several large multinational nutrition companies, thus we believe that the awareness of PS will further increase in the near future.”​