FDBusiness.com

Phosphatidylserine, commonly known as PS, is set to break out from the cognitive health category and make a big impact in several new benefit areas, according to Enzymotec, the supplier of EnzyPS.

Until now, PS has been widely used to maintain and improve brain function in a range of applications. But now its benefits are beginning to gain recognition in other areas too, the company says, including skin health, sports nutrition, stress reduction and mood enhancement.

“PS is a health ingredient with a really big future,” said Dr Ariel Katz, President & CEO of Enzymotec. “It’s got so much to offer: it’s natural, it’s clinically proven and if you source the right grade or format you can use it in pretty much any food, drink or supplement product. It will continue to be strongly associated with cognitive health, but wider awareness of its benefits will mean that at last PS can reach its full potential. With EnzyPS™, we offer a high quality and effective PS brand that can help supplements companies win customers in new categories.”

Clinical studies are said to have demonstrated that supplementation with PS strengthens the brain cell structure and significantly improves memory, decision-making and mental flexibility. Its effects are long-term and without any side-effects. However, studies have also demonstrated health benefits in a number of other categories, as follows:

Skin health – Studies have shown that ingestion of PS promotes the development of collagen, which naturally contributes to strengthening and protecting the skin. Supplementation with PS has also been shown to restore the skin’s moisture balance, promote a smooth skin texture and improve overall complexion.

Sports nutrition – In studies involving cycling, running, weightlifting and soccer, PS has been shown to increase time to exhaustion by up to 30% and to reduce muscle soreness by as much as 50%, enabling faster recovery. PS has been shown to reduce the levels of cortisol (a harmful hormone) produced by the body and increase levels of testosterone (a beneficial hormone), thereby promoting muscle recovery.

Stress reduction – Cortisol is known as the ‘stress hormone’ and it spikes following mental and physical stress. For 25 years it has been known that PS reduces cortisol levels in both blood and saliva. In clinical studies, PS has been shown to reduce the increase in cortisol levels that is caused by typical stressful experiences, such as a job interview or a maths exam.

Mood enhancement – Cortisol levels also increase when a person is depressed. In a clinical study of elderly people, the control group reported a nearly 30% increase in their depression symptoms after 12 weeks, compared with a group using PS supplementation over the same period.

EnzyPS is supplied in a range of patented formats to suit any application. As well as formulations for dietary supplement tablets, available options include a fine powder that is highly soluble in beverages and mixes well with protein and other powders. Also available is a granulated version with no taste or smell that the company says is perfect for food applications, including chocolate and snacks. Enzymotec also supplies a unique PS ingredient derived from sunflowers – most PS ingredients are extracted from soy – which is claimed to be ideal for softgel capsules.

“We believe PS could be the next big thing in the global nutraceutical market,” said Katz. “It offers a perfect combination of versatility and efficacy and is truly the perfect nutritional ingredient for today’s sophisticated and health-conscious consumers.”