Disclaimer: This content has been produced purely for informational and educational purposes only and is never intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical guidelines including diagnosis, advice, and treatment. 

 

Phosphatidylserine is popularly known as a natural treatment for anxiety and also Alzheimer's disease, age-related cognitive decline, and ADHD. But have you ever heard of the use of phosphatidylserine for weight loss? Most people haven’t heard of it. But would you believe it works well for weight loss and so does improve athletic performance? Yes, it’s true. But how? Let’s explore together. 

In this article, we’ll be exploring the effects of using phosphatidylserine for weight loss in a little bit of detail. But we’ll start with the basics of phosphatidylserine first. So, let’s get started. 

Table of contents 

What is phosphatidylserine? 

Phosphatidylserine and cortisol 

Effects of using phosphatidylserine for weight loss 

How to use phosphatidylserine supplements 

Precautions and side effects 

Final words 

What is phosphatidylserine? 

Phosphatidylserine or otherwise known as PS is a phospholipid that is made of both fatty acids as well as amino acids. Phosphatidylserine works synergistically with omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA to build membranes of every human cell, but most importantly, it provides the key building block for the millions of brain nerve cells. 

The human body has the capacity to make phosphatidylserine naturally, but most of what it needs comes from foods. PS supplements are also a good option when the body becomes unable to produce enough PS due to age.  

PS has many important roles throughout the body’s organs and tissues since it’s crucial for maintaining each and every cellular activity, particularly in the brain. 

Studies also suggest that phosphatidylserine is important to: 

• Neural protection 
• Testicular function
• Heartbeat coordination 
• The immune system for cell repair and toxins removal 
• The formation of bone matrix
• Adrenal gland's hormone secretion  

Phosphatidylserine and cortisol 

Cortisol is best known as a stress hormone that is naturally released by the adrenal glands when the body perceives stress. The brain signals the adrenal glands to release cortisol under any form of stress that can be from lifestyle or work, or even caused by exercise, especially high-intensity resistance exercise. Most of us often associate exercise with only endorphin hormones and their feel-good effects. In fact, stress hormones and their effects are also important to consider when it comes to building an active healthy lifestyle. 

Cortisol has an impact on many different functions across the body and may affect metabolism, glucose absorption, and water retention in the body. For this reason, high levels of cortisol could be associated with unintentional weight gain and obesity. Hence, if you are not getting any results from your weight loss plan and having excess stress, your cortisol level is something to focus on. 

Phosphatidylserine possesses an incredible ability to regulate cortisol production and keep it at a healthy level naturally, which is why it is considered one of the strongest natural cortisol blockers available. It covers and protects cells from getting unessential cortisol and thus can help alleviate the negative effects of cortisol such as stress on the body.  

Effects of using phosphatidylserine for weight loss 

Stress has often been found to be linked with unintentional weight gain and obesity. The human body cannot distinguish various types of stress whether it is mental, physical, or biological, and reacts in the same way to every type of stress. These functions usually manifest in many ways including increased anxiety, panic attacks, and of course, excessive weight gain and obesity. Cortisol plays the key role behind the scene that provokes stress and acts as a key contributor to the development of all of these symptoms.  

Phosphatidylserine can reduce increased levels of cortisol and stabilize it at a healthy level. This way PS can block various negative effects of high cortisol levels on a long-term basis. It can facilitate weight loss and improve metabolism disrupted by increased levels of cortisol. 

Besides, phosphatidylserine can increase exercise performance. A number of scientific studies suggest that intake of PS supplements can increase endurance. Researchers have also noticed that there is a significant reduction in muscle damage with the consumption of PS supplements. These results hypothesize the positive effects of using phosphatidylserine for weight loss and bodybuilding. 

 

A 2008 study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition concluded that phosphatidylserine supplements are effective in exercise-induced stress and reducing increases in cortisol levels. In this study, researchers also observed that PS supplements are also effective in preventing the physical deterioration caused by increased cortisol levels that accompany too much physical activity.   

How to use phosphatidylserine supplements 

There are currently no optimal and standardized dose recommendations for phosphatidylserine for weight loss or any other conditions. It is most often used in the doses of 100 mg to 300 mg per day, but higher doses are also used in certain conditions. 

Most scientific studies support a dosage of 100 mg thrice a day for up to four months. It’s recommended to consult with a professional natural medicine practitioner prior to starting phosphatidylserine supplements for any conditions.    

Precautions and side effects 

Phosphatidylserine has been found safe and well-tolerable when taken by mouth in recommended dosages. Most of the clinical trials and studies suggest its use for up to six months. Higher doses of phosphatidylserine, specifically at doses over 300 mg may cause some side effects in some people that include stomach upset and insomnia. 

Besides, phosphatidylserine may affect the efficacy of certain medications such as blood thinners. It’s strongly recommended to consult with a professional naturopathic medicine practitioner before taking phosphatidylserine along with other medications and supplements so that he or she can determine what cautions you should consider in your specific condition.

 

Final words 

Phosphatidylserine is considered one of the most studied nootropics nowadays. It has proven benefits in regulating cortisol levels and stress which is why it is actively used in supplements for anxiety and sleep disorders. There has been a growing interest in phosphatidylserine for weight loss. By controlling and stabilizing cortisol levels, phosphatidylserine indirectly promotes weight loss in a safe and healthy manner. However, it’s important to combine physical activity with phosphatidylserine supplements as an integrative part of an overall weight loss plan.

Here you can see Vorst’s pure and natural Phosphatidylserine 100 mg Vegan Capsules 

Important resources: 

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2503954/
2. https://www.wubmed.org/blog/phosphatidylserine-for-good-memory-and-weight-loss/
3. https://www.cognitune.com/phosphatidylserine-benefits/
4. https://www.myprotein.com/thezone/supplements/phosphatidylserine-cortisol-benefits-dosage/
5. https://draxe.com/nutrition/phosphatidylserine/
6. https://www.dietspotlight.com/phosphatidylserine/