The Brain-Body Supplement You Didn't Know You Needed— Phosphatidylserine —

We spend a lot of time thinking about how our bodies look and feel as we age — our strength, our flexibility, our skin. And those things absolutely matter. But there's one organ that deserves just as much of our love, attention, and intentional nourishment, and most of us are barely giving it a second thought.

Your brain.

Think about it: What good is a vibrant, strong, healthy body if the mind inside it feels foggy, forgetful, anxious, or exhausted? As a Licensed Health Coach, I've had hundreds of conversations with clients who feel like something is just... off. They're doing the workouts. They're eating reasonably well. But they're still struggling to focus, feeling more stressed than they used to, forgetting things mid-sentence, and wondering why their mood seems harder to manage than it once was.

More often than not, the conversation eventually turns to what they're putting inside their body to support the most complex, magnificent organ they own.

Today, I want to talk to you about something that doesn't get nearly enough attention in the wellness world — a naturally occurring compound called Phosphatidylserine. It's a bit of a mouthful (we'll call it PS for short!), but once you understand what it does, I think you'll be just as fascinated as I am.

Let's dive in.

So What Exactly IS Phosphatidylserine?

Great question — and I promise this won't turn into a science lecture! Here's the simple, honest version:

Phosphatidylserine is a type of fat molecule called a phospholipid. Think of phospholipids as the building blocks that make up the outer membrane — the protective "skin" — of every single cell in your body. They're essentially what keep your cells intact, flexible, and functioning properly.

Now, PS is found in every cell, but it is especially concentrated in your brain cells (neurons). In fact, it makes up a significant portion of the inner layer of your brain cell membranes, where it plays a starring role in keeping those cells communicating, signaling, and working efficiently.

The body can produce phosphatidylserine on its own, and you can also get smaller amounts from certain foods. But — and this is the important part — production naturally declines as we age. And that decline has some real consequences for how we think, feel, and recover.

"Phosphatidylserine is woven into the physical architecture of every nerve cell. When brain PS content drops — as it naturally does with aging — the entire scaffolding that supports neural signaling, mood regulation, and cognitive processing becomes less stable."

What Does It Actually Do?

Here's where it gets really good. Phosphatidylserine is what I like to call a quiet multitasker. It's not loud or flashy — you're not going to feel a jolt of energy like a cup of coffee. What it does is far more foundational. It works quietly in the background, supporting the systems that allow you to think clearly, feel balanced, and recover well.

Here's a look at what the research tells us PS supports:

• Brain Cell Communication: PS helps maintain the structure and flexibility of your neuron membranes, supporting the efficient transmission of signals between brain cells. Think of it as keeping the "wiring" of your brain in good condition.

• Memory and Focus: PS plays a direct role in supporting cognitive function — including memory, learning, and concentration. Studies have shown that PS supplementation may help support sharper recall and improved attention, particularly in aging adults.

• Mood and Anxiety: Because PS supports neurotransmitter activity — including dopamine and serotonin — it may help promote a more balanced, stable mood and reduce feelings of anxiety or emotional overwhelm.

• Cortisol and Stress Regulation: This one is a favorite of mine. PS has been shown in research to help blunt the body's cortisol response to physical and psychological stress. That means it may actually help your body calm down more effectively when life gets hectic — something most of us desperately need.

• Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Benefits: PS supports a healthy inflammatory response in brain tissue and has antioxidant properties that help protect neurons from oxidative stress — a key factor in cognitive aging.

• Muscle Recovery and Workout Performance: PS isn't just a brain supplement! Research suggests it may help reduce exercise-induced cortisol and muscle soreness, supporting faster recovery and better training outcomes — especially valuable as we age and our recovery slows down.

• Blood Cell Health: PS also plays a role in maintaining the integrity of red blood cell membranes, supporting healthy circulation and overall cellular vitality.

Why Does It Matter More As We Age?

Here's the reality of aging that no one really prepares us for: many of the compounds our body produces naturally — the ones that keep us sharp, resilient, and energetic — begin to decline as the years pass. Phosphatidylserine is one of them.

Starting in our 30s and accelerating through our 40s and beyond, the body produces less and less PS. And when levels drop, you may start to notice things like:

• Brain fog — that frustrating feeling of mental cloudiness or slow thinking

• Memory lapses — forgetting names, where you put things, or what you walked into a room for

• Difficulty concentrating or staying focused for long periods

• Mood changes — feeling more anxious, irritable, or emotionally flat

• A harder time bouncing back from stress, both physical and emotional

• Slower recovery after exercise or physical exertion

Now — are all of these things caused by low PS? Not necessarily. There are many factors at play in healthy aging. But declining PS levels are one piece of a very real puzzle, and it's a piece worth paying attention to.

The beautiful truth is that aging doesn't have to mean decline. With the right knowledge, the right nourishment, and the right support systems in place, we can absolutely age with grace, vitality, and clarity. That's what this work is all about.

Where Does It Come From?

There are two primary ways to get phosphatidylserine into your body: through food and through supplementation.

Food Sources

PS is found naturally in a variety of foods, though typically in modest amounts. The best dietary sources include:

Food Source	Notes
Soybeans & Soy Lecithin	One of the richest plant-based sources; commonly used as the base for soy-derived PS supplements
Eggs (especially egg yolks)	A wholesome, bioavailable source — one more reason to love the humble egg!
Fish (mackerel, herring, tuna)	Fatty fish provide PS alongside beneficial omega-3 fatty acids — a powerful brain-health combo
Organ Meats (liver, kidney)	Liver is one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet and contains meaningful amounts of PS
White beans & other legumes	Smaller amounts, but still a valuable contribution for plant-based eaters

Supplementation

Because the amounts found in food are relatively small, many people turn to supplementation to achieve the levels that have been studied in research. Today, most PS supplements are derived from soy lecithin or sunflower lecithin (for those with soy sensitivities), making them widely accessible, plant-based, and free from the concerns associated with older bovine-derived products.

Typical supplemental doses studied in research range from 100 mg to 400 mg daily, often taken in divided doses with meals. That said, dosage is something to work out with your healthcare provider based on your individual needs and health picture.

Is It Safe?

This is always one of the first questions I get — and it's exactly the right one to ask. Here's what we know:

• Phosphatidylserine is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when consumed in recommended amounts from food-based sources.

• Soy-derived PS supplements have received a qualified health claim from the FDA related to cognitive function and dementia risk reduction — though the FDA notes the evidence is limited and not conclusive.

• PS is not FDA-approved to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. Supplements are not medications.

• Most research studies have found PS to be well-tolerated, with minimal side effects at studied doses.

• As with any supplement, it's important to consider interactions with medications (particularly blood thinners) and individual health factors.

⚠️ Always Check With Your Doctor First

I always encourage my clients to have an open, honest conversation with their healthcare provider before starting any new supplement — including PS. Your doctor knows your full health picture, your current medications, and your specific needs. Supplements work best as part of a well-informed, personalized health strategy, not a one-size-fits-all approach.

How This Fits Into a Longevity Lifestyle

You know me — I'm not here to sell you a quick fix. I'm here to help you build something lasting.

A longevity lifestyle isn't just about the gym or the green smoothie or the spa day (although I am absolutely here for all of that!). It's about becoming a conscious creator of your own health. It's about understanding your body deeply, nourishing it intentionally, and making choices that compound over time into a life that feels vibrant, purposeful, and fully alive.

Phosphatidylserine fits beautifully into that philosophy because it's about nourishing from the inside out. It's about giving your brain — your most powerful tool — the structural support it needs to keep working well for decades to come. It's about building the kind of foundation where your mind and your body are both showing up for you.

When we talk about aging gracefully, we're not talking about fighting aging or pretending it isn't happening. We're talking about meeting each season of life with intention, wisdom, and a deep commitment to our own wellbeing. That means paying attention to things like cognitive nutrition — not just what feeds our muscles and our skin, but what feeds the very organ that drives everything else.

Whether you're in your 40s starting to notice those first subtle shifts, in your 50s actively investing in your cognitive health, or in your 60s and beyond determined to stay sharp and strong — it's never too early or too late to start nourishing your brain.

This is exactly the kind of conversation we have inside my coaching programs. We look at the whole picture — nutrition, movement, stress, sleep, mindset, and yes, targeted supplementation when appropriate — and we build a personal longevity roadmap that truly works for you.

You Deserve a Brain That Keeps Up With Your Beautiful Life

If this conversation has sparked something in you — a little curiosity, a little recognition, maybe even a feeling of "this is exactly what I needed to read today" — I'd love to hear from you.

Whether you want to learn more about supplements like PS, explore a longevity lifestyle coaching program, or simply come in for a deeply nourishing spa experience that reminds your whole nervous system what it feels like to truly rest — we are here for you.

Your health is your greatest investment. Your brain is your most precious asset. And you — all of you, mind and body together — deserve to be cared for deeply.

Reach out, book a session, or simply send me a message. I'd love to connect and help you take the next step on your longevity journey.

Nourish deeply, live radiantly, and age... gracefully.

Lisa