What is the Origin of Phosphatidylserine Intervention?

Phosphatidylserine was initially isolated from bovine brain cortex, though modern supplements are typically derived from soy or sunflower. Its clinical application emerged from research in the 1980s demonstrating its role in cell membrane integrity and neurotransmitter release. The specific use as an "Intervention" for stress and cortisol management was established when studies showed its ability to blunt the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol response to acute stressors.

What is the Mechanism of Phosphatidylserine Intervention?

The mechanism involves PS acting at the level of the pituitary and potentially the hypothalamus, enhancing the negative feedback loop of the HPA axis to circulating cortisol. It is thought to increase the density or sensitivity of glucocorticoid receptors in the hippocampus, which are critical for signaling the HPA axis to terminate the stress response. By facilitating this negative feedback, the intervention helps to lower elevated basal cortisol levels and restore a healthy diurnal cortisol rhythm, thereby protecting peripheral tissues from chronic glucocorticoid overexposure.

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Phosphatidylserine Intervention

Meaning

Phosphatidylserine Intervention is the clinical use of the phospholipid compound phosphatidylserine (PS) as a targeted nutritional supplement, primarily to modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and mitigate the detrimental effects of chronic stress. As a key component of cellular membranes, especially in the brain, this intervention is employed to dampen excessive cortisol secretion and improve cognitive function, thereby supporting the neuroendocrine foundation of stress resilience. It is a strategy for normalizing a dysregulated stress response.