Soy Derived Phosphatidylserine Vs. Animal Derived Phosphatidylserine
Phosphatidylserine is something that our bodies naturally produce. It is a Nootropic, or supplement improves our cognitive functions. Phosphatidylserine is often used by people to improve their memories, increase their focus, balance their mood, and overall sharpen their minds. Many of the studies done on Phosphatidylserine have focused on its effects on diseases that inhibit normal brain functions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. Phosphatidylserine has been found to reverse some of the negative aspects of these diseases and improve memory recall in some patients.
For healthy individuals, Phosphatidylserine is a great daily supplement that is safe to take for prolonged periods of time. It will aid in improving brain health and may slow down or prevent the adverse effects of aging on the brain. Phosphatidylserine can be obtained either through supplements or through eating foods that contain PS.
It is present in our cell membranes and we produce up to 60 mg a day. In order for a person to see the enhanced mental cognition that Phosphatidylserine produces, they would have to take at least 100 mg more through food or supplements. Phosphatidylserine is Generally Recognized As Safe by the FDA and so far has not been proven to be toxic.
There are very little and mild side effects from ingesting more Phosphatidylserine. These side effects include stomach distress and in rare cases, insomnia. Though the FDA has not provided a recommended dosage, experts suggest taking at least 300 mg for maximum benefits. Since Phosphatidylserine wears off quickly, dosages should be spread out throughout the day. People have been taking Phosphatidylserine supplements since the 1990s.
Supplements aren’t the only way to obtain more Phosphatidylserine. There are a number of foods that you can eat to help increase your Phosphatidylserine levels. The amount of Phosphatidylserine ingested in the West is about 130 mg per day. Phosphatidylserine is mostly found in meats and fish. Very little Phosphatidylserine is found in vegetables, with the exception of white beans and soy lecithin. Some of the best foods to eat when you’re looking to increase your PS levels are soy, cow brains, Atlantic mackerel, chicken hearts, and Atlantic herring.
Cow brains have the highest concentration of Phosphatidylserine. In a 100 g serving, there is about 700 mg of Phosphatidylserine. In fact, the first Phosphatidylserine supplements were made from cow brain extracts. However, due to the rise of fears from mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy, in the late 90s, Phosphatidylserine supplements manufacturers had to cease using cow brains.
Although you can no longer buy Phosphatidylserine supplements containing cow brain extracts in the United States, if you aren’t afraid or squeamish you can buy and eat whole cow brains. It should be noted, that most of the studies done on Phosphatidylserine used the older cow brain supplements.
Organ meats also contain high levels of Phosphatidylserine and unlike cow brains, there is no danger of contracting mad cow disease from these foods. For every 100 g of chicken hearts, there are around 400 mg of Phosphatidylserine present. Though uncommon, especially in the west, pig kidneys are another great source of Phosphatidylserine. There is 200 mg of Phosphatidylserine in a 100 g serving of pig kidneys. So if you would like to find Phosphatidylserine from food sources rather than a supplement, organ meats are your best choice. These organ meats are easy to eat and safer than cow brains.
There are a few plant based sources of Phosphatidylserine such as soybeans and white beans. Both soybeans and white beans produce 100 mg of Phosphatidylserine for every 100 g serving. The structure of the of the Phosphatidylserine in these beans, especially the soybeans, is similar to those that are obtained through cow brains.
In fact, all current Phosphatidylserine supplements are made from soy lecithin. These soy lecithin supplements are Generally Regarded As Safe by the FDA. Not many tests have been done on the effectiveness of soy-based supplements. So far, the results are mixed. Some studies suggest that they soy-based supplements are just as effective as the bovine-based supplements. However, there are studies that say the soy-based supplements are ineffective as a Nootropic. More research is needed to test the effects of soy-based Phosphatidylserine.
Phosphatidylserine is a supplement that can improve many aspects of our life. It can aid us in our daily lives by improving our brain’s functions, which will help us to increase our productivity. It may also keep our mood balanced, which will have a positive influence on our general wellbeing. Whichever way you prefer to get more Phosphatidylserine, overall it is safe for daily and long-term use.
There may be some risks in ingesting sources derived from cows, but there are many alternative sources a person can seek. In the end, you shouldn’t be afraid to take Phosphatidylserine. The benefits of Phosphatidylserine far outweigh any risks and it would greatly improve your life to start taking Phosphatidylserine today.
Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-992-phosphatidylserine.aspx?activeingredientid=992
http://nootriment.com/phosphatidylserine-dosage/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphatidylserine
http://www.askdrmao.com/natural-health-dictionary/phosphatidylserine-ps/
http://supplementpolice.com/phosphatidylserine/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/289824-foods-that-contain-phosphatidylserine/
