Boost for
the Aging Brain
[ NeuroPS ]
"Aging brains probably have fewer receptors for neurotransmitters, or
lesser amounts of the chemicals," Hyman says. "That opens the possibility
of slowing down the deleterious effects of aging with nutrients that supply
depleted messenger chemicals or that stimulate their production."
"If there is no loss of neurons, the decrease in volume
must be due to something else," Hyman concludes. "We think it is an
age-related reduction of the protective sheaths of myelin protein that
cover the connections between brain cells like insulation on electric
wires."
In the brain, cell membranes are protected from wear and
tear by phospholipids (the two most prevalent ones are phosphatidylcholine
and phosphatidylserine).
The major phospholipid in the brain, Phosphatidylserine, plays an important
role in the integrity and fluidity of cell membranes.
Memory experts are now focusing on phosphatidyl-serine (PS), a
naturally produced, fat-soluble nutrient. Found throughout our bodies, PS
works particularly hard in the brain to improve brain cell communication
and regulate serotonin and dopamine--both mood-related chemicals. Though
it's unclear whether or not PS levels diminish over time, Kidd theorizes
that as we age, we need more of it to build the new communication pathways
that are so critical for brain function.
PS is essential to the functioning of all the cells of the body, but is
most concentrated in the brain. Its relative abundance in this organ
reflects its proven involvement in an assortment of nerve cell functions,
including nerve transmitter release and synaptic activity. Clinical
studies have suggested that PS can support brain functions that tend to
decline with age.
Human trials dating back to the 1970s indicate that when consumed as a
supplement to the diet, PS can benefit diverse measures of cognitive
functions. In the peer-reviewed literature, there are currently on record
some 64 human studies on PS, of which 17 were conducted double blind. The
findings from the clinical trial data are unequivocal: dietary
supplementation with PS can alleviate, ameliorate, and sometimes reverse
age-related decline of memory, learning, concentration, word skills, and
mood. PS also may improve the body's capacities to cope with stress and
maintain the internal circadian rhythm.
Several recent studies indicate that PS shows promise in mediating
stress, depression and attention deficit disorders and improving motor
skills in Parkinson's disease patients. Numerous studies have shown that
people who take PS remember more names, faces, phone numbers and written
information. Research conducted by Thomas Crook, Ph.D., founder of the
Memory Assessment Clinic in Bethesda, Maryland, found that subjects who
took 300 mg of PS for 90 days showed remarkable improvement in their
memory. Phosphatidylserine, some scientists believe, "can turn back the
clock 12 to 15 years."
Natural Supplementation with Neuro-PS
Until recently, PS was only available from animal sources (cow brains),
and occurred in commercial lecithins only in trace amounts; however, a
plant source for PS has now been developed.
Neuro PS is a
phospholipid complex containing phosphatidylserine derived from soy
lecithin.
Russell Blaylock, MD, author of Excitotoxins, the Taste that Kills,
explains that the probable reason PS works is because its chemical
structure is similar to that of L-glutamate, the trouble-making
neurotransmitter, amino acid and excitotoxin that exists in high
concentration in MSG (monosodium glutamate), HVP (hydrolyzed vegetable
protein) and "natural flavorings" and foods containing these soy
derivatives. Because PS competes with glutamate, it may protect us from
glutamate toxicity. Ironically, the soy-derived supplement PS is being
used to undo damage that may be caused in part by the cheap soy in
processed foods.