Background

• Phosphatidylserine is present in cell membranes and is the major molecule of its kind in the brain. Phosphatidylserine is essential for cell-to-cell communication and other cell functions.
• Phosphatidylserine is present in greater amounts in animal-based foods, such as liver and kidneys, than in plants. Plant sources include soy beans, white beans, cabbage, carrots, whole-grain barley, and rice.
• Phosphatidylserine is most commonly used for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. It is commonly used to treat mental disorders ranging from age-associated memory impairment (AAMI) to Alzheimer's disease. Current evidence suggests that phosphatidylserine may benefit those with AAMI to a greater degree than it does those with Alzheimer's disease. However, more research is needed.
• Ingestion of phosphatidylserine from bovine brain cortex (BC-PS) carries a risk of transmission of infectious disease, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (commonly known as mad cow disease). However, phosphatidylserine derived from soybeans (S-PS) does not carry that risk, and it appears to be equally effective as BC-PS.
• Soy-derived phosphatidylserine (S-PS) is listed on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) list.

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