Origin & tradition
Not traditional: PS supplementation emerged from neuroscience; originally derived from bovine brain, now from sunflower/soy.
Western tradition · Phospholipid
Phosphatidylserine (PS)
The structural phospholipid of neuronal membranes — the only supplement with an FDA-qualified health claim for cognitive function.
↑ iHerb link is an affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Why longevity buyers care
Key active: Phosphatidylserine (phospholipid — sunflower or soy-derived).
PS is the predominant phospholipid in neuronal inner membranes, critical for PKC and Akt signaling. Brain PS declines with age. Over 900 subjects in published RCTs show modest-to-moderate benefits for age-associated memory impairment, leading to an FDA qualified health claim: 'may reduce the risk of dementia and cognitive dysfunction in the elderly.'
Effect summary
Studied health outcomes
Editorial summary — This table is curated by hand from published research consensus, not automatically calculated from our trial database. Grades reflect our interpretation of the literature. Treat as a starting point, not a definitive verdict. See the Evidence panel below for the underlying trial and paper counts sourced directly from ClinicalTrials.gov and PubMed.
| Health outcome | Effect | Magnitude | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cognitive function / memory (elderly) | Increases | Moderate | B |
| Working memory | Increases | Moderate | B |
| Cortisol response to exercise | Decreases | Moderate | B |
| Attention (children with ADHD) | Increases | Moderate | B |
| Alzheimer's symptoms (mild) | Decreases | Minor | C |
Grade: A = robust RCTs · B = several RCTs / meta-analysis · C = limited or mixed RCTs · D = observational or early data
Dosage guidance
How Phosphatidylserine (PS) is typically used
- Typical dose
- 300–400 mg/day (typically 100 mg × 3)
- Form
- softgel (soy-derived or sunflower-derived PS)
- Timing
- with meals, split into doses
The FDA allows a qualified health claim for PS and cognitive dysfunction. Soy-derived and sunflower-derived PS are both effective. Sharp-PS is a common branded form studied in clinical trials.
Informational only — not a prescription or personalised medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician before starting any supplement or medication.
Evidence summary
What the research actually says
75Evidence confidence
Human RCT evidence93 randomized controlled trials · 12 meta-analyses / systematic reviews
Multiple RCTs (memory, cognition); FDA qualified health claim
PS is the predominant phospholipid in neuronal inner membranes, critical for PKC and Akt signaling. Brain PS declines with age. Over 900 subjects in published RCTs show modest-to-moderate benefits for age-associated memory impairment, leading to an FDA qualified health claim: 'may reduce the risk of dementia and cognitive dysfunction in the elderly.'
47registered clinical trials reference this intervention
3selected from 23+ PubMed papers (longevity / aging angle)
Key active: Phosphatidylserine (phospholipid — sunflower or soy-derived) — a multi-compound botanical extract, so activity is not reducible to a single molecule.
According to PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov: trial counts from ClinicalTrials.gov, peer-reviewed literature from PubMed. Counts auto-refresh weekly; last checked 2026-06-12. They include trials across many endpoints, not only longevity.
Informational only — not medical advice, a treatment claim, or a substitute for a qualified clinician. Evidence strength varies; we show mixed and null results on purpose.
Evidence collections
Phosphatidylserine (PS) appears in
Suppliers
No Phosphatidylserine (PS) suppliers listed yet
Tell us what you need and we will source suppliers for you.