What it is
Phosphatidylserine, usually shortened to PS, is a phospholipid, a type of fat that forms part of the outer membrane of every cell. It is most concentrated in brain tissue.
What it does in Memoclear
Every signal a brain cell sends or receives crosses its membrane. PS is one of the building blocks of that membrane and is involved in how it works. In Memoclear it covers the third pathway: the structure of the cell itself.
What the research says
PS is unusual among brain ingredients because the FDA has acknowledged a qualified health claim for it, allowing labels to say that PS may reduce the risk of cognitive dysfunction in the elderly. The FDA requires the qualifier that the evidence is very limited and preliminary. Most supplement PS today comes from soy or sunflower rather than the bovine source used in the earliest studies.
Who should be careful
PS is generally well tolerated. High amounts can cause stomach upset or trouble sleeping in some people. If you take blood thinners, mention it to your doctor because PS has a mild effect on clotting in some reports.
Where it sits in the formula
Phosphatidylserine works alongside the other five ingredients: Ginkgo Biloba, Huperzia Serrata, Bacopa Monnieri, Vitamin B12, N-Acetyl L-Carnitine. Together they cover blood flow, brain cell walls, memory messengers, nerve function and cell energy in one daily capsule.
Further reading
Phosphatidylserine and cognition, PubMed. This research is on the ingredient, not on the finished Memoclear product.