Phosphatidylserine

Phosphatidylserine is an OTC supplement with one of the loudest US marketing histories. The FDA in 2003 granted a qualified health claim worded verbatim «consumption of phosphatidylserine may reduce the risk of cognitive dysfunction in the elderly, very limited supporting science». The «very limited evidence» disclaimer is part of the claim itself, not a footnote. The Kato-Kataoka RCT (J Clin Biochem Nutr 2010) of soy PS in 78 older adults with memory complaints at 300 mg/day for 6 months showed a small word-recall improvement; effect size was small and the trial was industry-funded. The 2017 Cochrane attempt at a systematic review of PS in cognitive impairment and dementia found too few quality RCTs to pool. AAN 2018 on mild cognitive impairment does not recommend supplements; no pharmacotherapy slows age-related decline in people without dementia, while lifestyle modification per the FINGER 2015 protocol is effective. If phosphatidylserine was bought instead of seeing a geriatrician for memory complaints, discuss with a doctor; occult depression, B12 deficiency, hypothyroidism and sleep disturbance also impair memory and are treatable.

ICD-10: R41.8 · ICD-11: MB21.0

Phosphatidylserine is a cell-membrane phospholipid sold as a supplement for memory, focus, and mental clarity. Studies have not shown convincing benefit for this use, and there is no solid evidence that it improves cognition in healthy people. When memory or attention is a concern, other things help: good sleep, regular exercise, treating anxiety or depression, keeping blood pressure and blood sugar in check, and a medical workup for persistent problems to find the cause. The substance is harmless in this role, but don't take it in place of an approach with proven benefit, or you risk missing real treatment.