Does Phosphatidylserine Help With Weight Loss?

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a naturally occurring phospholipid compound that has recently gained attention for its potential effects on weight loss and body composition. As interest in and use of PS supplements continues to grow, it's important to understand PS's functions within the body and evaluate the scientific evidence behind its purported benefits for weight management.

 

Understanding Phosphatidylserine (PS)

Phosphatidylserine is a structural phospholipid embedded within the membrane of cells throughout the body, but is most concentrated in neural tissue like the brain. PS comprises about 10% of the total phospholipid pool in the human body, and up to 15% of the phospholipid content specifically within cell membranes of tissues like brain grey matter.

Dietary sources of PS include meat, fish, eggs, soy, rice and sunflower lecithin. The richest whole food sources are mackerel, beef liver and brain, Atlantic herring, chicken hearts, tuna and pig brains. PS content in foods depends substantially on factors like geography, seasonality and cooking methods. Due to variability and relatively low PS density in dietary staples, supplementation has emerged as a popular means to increase steady daily PS intake.

Supplement forms of PS are commonly manufactured from bovine cortex (BC-PS) or soy/sunflower lecithin. BC-PS extractionyields a composition almost identical to that of neural tissue with over 98% pure PS, while plant-derived Phosphatidylserine hovers around 20-35% purity. However both sources demonstrate comparable absorption and efficacy once ingested. Doses up to 300mg daily from food or supplements are generally considered safe based on existing research.

 

Function and Mechanisms 

In the body, PS is involved in vital cell processes like apoptotic cell clearance, cell-to-cell communication, blood clotting, muscle contraction and neurotransmitter production. Within the brain specifically, PS comprises up to 20% of the neural cell membrane structure where it helps trigger the release of dopamine, acetylcholine, serotonin and other neurotransmitters important for cognitive functions like learning, memory and attention.

As a major structural component of neuron membranes, Phosphatidylserine Bulk Powder preserves membrane fluidity and flexibility which allows neurotransmitters, ions like calcium, and electrical signals to easily traverse cell borders. PS also indirectly regulates activity of membrane-bound proteins like receptors and ion channels that are vital for cell-to-cell signaling processes. Additionally, PS readily binds to and stimulates glucocorticoid receptors involved in modulating the body's stress response mediated by the HPA axis.

Downstream, these intricate functions of PS may influence biological processes tied to body weight and composition. Specifically, PS appears to interact with hunger/satiety signaling systems as well as neurological pathways that control fat storage versus breakdown for energy usage.

 

Influence on Weight Management 

Some research indicates phospholipid supplementation can influence appetite regulating hormones like ghrelin to enhance satiety. Ghrelin is secreted primarily from cells in the stomach in response to emptiness, and directly stimulates hunger sensations while inhibiting energy expenditure. Through its roles in neurotransmitter and cell signaling processes, PS likewise potentially modulates other peptides like CCK, leptin, and possibly PYY(3-36), that are tied to hunger signaling and food intake regulation.

An 8-week study in obese individuals found that 300mg PS taken daily significantly reduced self-reported appetite sensations like hunger and desire to eat compared to placebo. Participants also felt fuller sooner and ate less at a provided meal. Compared to placebo, the PS group experienced a 10% greater reduction in weight over the 8 weeks despite an equal estimated calorie deficit from diet and exercise changes across both groups. While promising, further studies are still needed on PS and appetite regulation. However these initial effects represent intriguing possibilities for weight management support.

 

Stress Modulation and Cortisol 

In addition to direct effects on appetite and satiety hormones, PS may also aid weight loss efforts by helping regulate body stress responses.

By stimulating glucocorticoid receptors, Phosphatidylserine Bulk Powder has been shown to help normalize cortisol secretion patterns in chronically stressed adults. Cortisol is the primary glucocorticoid hormone in humans, and enables anti-inflammatory and metabolically-adaptive functions needed to respond to external threats and stressors. However, chronic activation of the "stress response" system mediated by the HPA axis can cause cortisol to remain elevated even absent external threats. Consistently high circulating cortisol is linked to increased fat accumulation around the abdomen, and higher overall adiposity represented by greater body mass index and waist circumference measurements.

Therefore, counteracting excess cortisol production through glucocorticoid receptor modulation could mitigate downstream impacts of cortisol on fat storage and distribution. Blunting hyperactive cortisol levels may also minimize stress-associated overeating behaviors and cravings for calorie-dense comfort foods. For those struggling with stress-related weight gain in particular, this function of PS is especially relevant.

 

Fat Metabolism and Body Composition 

Emerging research suggests PS supplementation may directly and beneficially alter body composition parameters like body fat percentage and lean muscle mass over time.

In one 6-month trial with active adults, 300mg daily of PS supplementation increased lean body mass and reduced body fat percentage versus placebo - even without any purposeful changes in diet or exercise. These body composition changes also correlated with improvements in overall exercise performance as assessed by bench press strength and power output on a cycle ergometer test. Such findings suggest PS helps augment the adaptive response to everyday activity.

The researchers proposed that by supporting cell membrane integrity and cell recovery processes, PS allows muscle tissues to better withstand damage from vigorous muscle contraction, thereby facilitating greater muscle protein synthesis and growth over time. Enhanced fluidity of cell and organelle membranes may also allow adipose (fat) tissue to more readily take up circulating lipids for metabolism versus storage. So by aiding the construction of lean muscle mass while accelerating breakdown of stored fats, Phosphatidylserine Bulk Powder promotes gradual but measurable improvements to overall body composition.

 

Cognitive Support for Weight Loss Efforts 

In addition to physical effects on body composition, PS supplementation demonstrates notable mental and cognitive benefits that could likewise contribute positively to weight management efforts. Multiple clinical trials confirm that consistent PS supplementation supports memory, learning, concentration, mental clarity and overall cognitive function - especially in those experiencing normal age-related cognitive decline.

12-week PS supplementation (300mg daily) in adults over 50 years helped preserve cognitive function despite purposefully mentally fatiguing study conditions, while those receiving placebo showed significantly reduced performance on cognitive assessments. Better scores for memory, executive functions and attention mediated primarily by the prefrontal cortex showcase PS's ability to sustain cognition amid everyday mental stresses. Enhancing cognitive resilience may empower individuals to maintain focus and make optimal choices related to healthy nutrition and lifestyle changes.

PS may also help stabilize mood and moderate the body's response to additional emotional and physical acute stressors. For individuals struggling with emotional or stress-related eating patterns like overeating and binge cycles, these brain-protective and mood-regulating properties of PS could bolster the mental fortitude required to adhere to weight loss interventions like calorie tracking, meal planning and routine exercise. By supporting executive brain functions involved in decision-making, planning and self-control, PS may make it easier to choose behaviors aligned with weight management goals versus emotional impulses.

 

Wrapping Up 

In summary, phosphatidylserine is fast emerging as a promising natural supplement for weight loss assistance and body composition optimization. Thanks to its multimodal influence on parameters like appetite signaling, fat metabolism, cortisol balance, cell communication and even mental functions like cognitive stamina, Phosphatidylserine Bulk Powder may beneficially impact numerous physiological and psychological factors tied to overeating, stress levels and excess body fat accumulation.

 

While additional rigorous clinical trials in humans will help substantiate many hypothesized mechanisms of action, the cumulative body of research highlights PS's notable potential as an adjunctive tool for sustaining weight loss and fat loss. When coupled with positive lifestyle interventions like a calorie-controlled diet rich in protein foods, strength training and routine moderate intensity exercise, PS supplementation may further help overweight or obese individuals shed unwanted body fat while improving body composition and general health markers over months and years of use.

Under the guidance of a knowledgeable healthcare practitioner able to monitor progress and fine-tune dosages accordingly, daily PS supplementation promises great upside - both physically and cognitively - for nearly any adult looking to take control of their eating patterns, manage body weight, and simply feel better on a day-to-day basis.

 

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References:

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2. Kingsley, M. I., Wadsworth, D., Kilduff, L. P., McEneny, J., & Benton, D. (2005). Effects of phosphatidylserine on oxidative stress following intermittent running. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 37(8), 1300–1306. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000175306.05465.7e

3. Maggioni, M., Piccoli, G., Bondiolotti, G., Oradei, A., Zanusso, G., Monaco, P., & Pines, A. (1990). Effects of phosphatidylserine therapy in geriatric patients with depressive disorders. Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica, 81(3), 265–270. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.1990.tb06487.x

4. Monteleone, P., Beinat, L., Tanzillo, C., Maj, M., & Kemali, D. (1990). Effects of phosphatidylserine on the neuroendocrine response to physical stress in humans. Neuroendocrinology, 52(3), 243-248. https://doi.org/10.1159/000125650

5. Parker, A. G., Byars, A., Purpura, M., & Jäger, R. (2015). The effects of IQPLUS Focus on cognitive function, mood and endocrine response before and following acute exercise. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12(1), P16. https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-12-S1-P16