Phosphatidylserine for Attention & Focus Difficulties

Research suggests phosphatidylserine may help support focus and reduce behaviors associated with attention difficulties, particularly in stressed individuals.

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The Bottom Line

Research suggests phosphatidylserine may help support focus and reduce behaviors associated with attention difficulties, particularly in stressed individuals.

Key Study Findings

Other

Functional food lycopene mitigates obesity-related cognitive decline via lipid metabolism regulation and neuroprotection via taurine …

Dose: 50 mg/kg lycopene in mice vs: HFD control mice Outcome: Cognitive function (Y-maze, MWM, novel object recognition) Effect: None None

Population: HFD-induced obese male C57BL/6 mice

In Vitro

The uremic solute 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropionate (CMPF) may enhance eryptosis and increase erythrocyte osmotic fragility through potential …

Dose: None vs: None Outcome: CMPF-induced eryptosis via PIEZO1 activation Effect: None None

Population: Human red blood cells from healthy individuals

Other

Initiation of Progressive Morphological Transition Towards an Echino-Stomato-Spherocytic Phenotype by Phosphatidylserine Externalization and Its Implication …

Dose: None vs: Untreated erythrocytes Outcome: Erythrocyte morphological transition and thrombosis Effect: None None

Population: Rat erythrocytes (in vitro/in vivo)

Other

Milk Fat Globules: 2024 Updates.

Dose: None vs: None Outcome: Inflammatory markers Effect: None None

Population: None

Randomized Controlled Trial n=138 6.0 weeks Double-blind

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Study Investigating the Efficacy of a Whole Coffee Cherry Extract …

Dose: None vs: placebo Outcome: cognitive function Effect: None p ≤ 0.024

Population: Adults with cognitive concerns

In Vitro

Concentration of Phosphatidylserine Influence Rates of Insulin Aggregation and Toxicity of Amyloid Aggregates In Vitro.

Dose: 40% vs: None Outcome: lipid levels Effect: None None

Population: None

Key Statistics

Studies

350

Participants

↑

Positive

Grade

Referenced Papers

The uremic solute 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropionate (CMPF) may enhance eryptosis and increase erythrocyte osmotic fragility through potential activation of PIEZO1. Other

Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation … 2025 3 citations

Functional food lycopene mitigates obesity-related cognitive decline via lipid metabolism regulation and neuroprotection via taurine and glutathione pathway. Other

Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, … 2025 1 citations

Initiation of Progressive Morphological Transition Towards an Echino-Stomato-Spherocytic Phenotype by Phosphatidylserine Externalization and Its Implication in Thrombosis. Other

International journal of … 2025 1 citations

Milk Fat Globules: 2024 Updates. Other

Newborn (Clarksville, Md.) 2024 9 citations

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Study Investigating the Efficacy of a Whole Coffee Cherry Extract and Phosphatidylserine Formulation on Cognitive … Other

Neurology and therapy 2023 9 citations

Concentration of Phosphatidylserine Influence Rates of Insulin Aggregation and Toxicity of Amyloid Aggregates In Vitro. Other

ACS chemical neuroscience 2023 7 citations

Polo-like kinase inhibitor BI2536 induces eryptosis. Other

Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift … 2023 4 citations

Iodixanol supplementation in freezing extender improves the antioxidant capacity of semen. Other

Reproduction in domestic … 2023 1 citations

TMEM16F mediated phosphatidylserine exposure and microparticle release on erythrocyte contribute to hypercoagulable state in hyperuricemia. Other

Blood cells, molecules … 2022 12 citations

[Mechanism of Leakage in Phosphatidylserine-Containing Membranes by Melittin]. Other

Molekuliarnaia biologiia 2022

Effects of storage and leukocyte reduction on the concentration and procoagulant activity of extracellular vesicles in canine packed red cells. Other

Journal of veterinary … 2021 7 citations

Phosphatidylserine Exposing Extracellular Vesicles in Pre-eclamptic Patients. Other

Frontiers in medicine 2021 6 citations

Online Promotion of "Brain Health" Supplements. Other

The Senior care … 2021 2 citations

Intracellular Ca2+ Concentration and Phosphatidylserine Exposure in Healthy Human Erythrocytes in Dependence on in vivo Cell Age. Review

Frontiers in physiology 2019 20 citations

Extracellular vesicle concentration and procoagulant activity of canine haemoperitoneum fluid and packed red blood cells. Other

The Journal of … 2019 2 citations

Effect of Age and Dietary Intervention on Discrimination Learning in Pet Dogs. Other

Frontiers in psychology 2018 13 citations

Identifying mitotane-induced mitochondria-associated membranes dysfunctions: metabolomic and lipidomic approaches. Other

Oncotarget 2017 35 citations

Triggering of Eryptosis, the Suicidal Erythrocyte Death, by Perifosine. Other

Cellular physiology and … 2017 17 citations

Stereochemistry- and concentration-dependent effects of phosphatidylserine enrichment on platelet function. Other

Biochimica et biophysica … 2017 1 citations

DHA Supplementation Alone or in Combination with Other Nutrients Does not Modulate Cerebral Hemodynamics or Cognitive Function in Healthy Older … RCT

Nutrients 2016 53 citations

Storage of Erythrocytes Induces Suicidal Erythrocyte Death. Other

Cellular physiology and … 2016 50 citations

Isolation and Analysis of Phospholipids in Dairy Foods. Review

Journal of analytical … 2016 49 citations

Role of tissue factor expression in thrombin generation by canine tumor cells. Other

American journal of … 2016 7 citations

Phosphatidylserine and the human brain. Review

Nutrition (Burbank, Los … 2015 149 citations

Enhanced suicidal erythrocyte death in acute cardiac failure. Other

European journal of … 2015 28 citations

Enhanced eryptosis following juglone exposure. Other

Basic & clinical … 2015 17 citations

[Molecular regulations of phosphatidylserine eversion in plasma membrane]. Review

Yi chuan = … 2015 4 citations

Quantitative analysis of annexin V-membrane interaction by flow cytometry. Other

European biophysics journal … 2015

Suicidal erythrocyte death in end-stage renal disease. Other

Journal of molecular … 2014 138 citations

Geldanamycin-induced phosphatidylserine translocation in the erythrocyte membrane. Other

Cellular physiology and … 2013 53 citations

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate decreases the concentration of Ca2+, phosphatidylserine and diacylglycerol required for protein kinase C α to reach maximum activity. Other

PloS one 2013 12 citations

Plasma and brain fatty acid profiles in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. Other

Journal of Alzheimer's … 2012 257 citations

Phosphatidylserine dynamics in cellular membranes. Other

Molecular biology of … 2012 173 citations

Apigenin-induced suicidal erythrocyte death. Other

Journal of agricultural … 2012 33 citations

Hexavalent chromium-induced erythrocyte membrane phospholipid asymmetry. Other

Biometals : an … 2012

Stimulation of suicidal erythrocyte death by oridonin. Other

Archives of biochemistry … 2011 20 citations

Inhibition of suicidal erythrocyte death by blebbistatin. Other

American journal of … 2011 17 citations

Formation of procoagulant microparticles and properties. Review

Thrombosis research 2010 155 citations

Monensin induced suicidal erythrocyte death. Other

Cellular physiology and … 2010 51 citations

Differences in CSF phospholipid concentration by traumatic brain injury outcome. Other

Biological research for … 2010 49 citations

Lactadherin and clearance of platelet-derived microvesicles. Other

Blood 2009 204 citations

Arsenic-induced suicidal erythrocyte death. Other

Archives of toxicology 2009 78 citations

Vanadate-induced suicidal erythrocyte death. Other

Kidney & blood … 2008 62 citations

Suicidal death of erythrocytes due to selenium-compounds. Other

Cellular physiology and … 2008 46 citations

In vitro and in vivo characterization of a combination chemotherapy formulation consisting of vinorelbine and phosphatidylserine. Other

European journal of … 2007 34 citations

Omega-3 DHA and EPA for cognition, behavior, and mood: clinical findings and structural-functional synergies with cell membrane phospholipids. Review

Alternative medicine review … 2007

Enhanced programmed cell death of iron-deficient erythrocytes. Other

FASEB journal : … 2006 244 citations

Induction of eryptosis by cyclosporine. Other

Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of … 2006 63 citations

Surface exposure of phosphatidylserine in pathological cells. Review

Cellular and molecular … 2005 747 citations

Erythrocyte ion channels in regulation of apoptosis. Review

Advances in experimental … 2004 29 citations

Metabolism and functions of phosphatidylserine in mammalian brain. Review

Neurochemical research 2003 82 citations

The influence of soy-derived phosphatidylserine on cognition in age-associated memory impairment. CCT

Nutritional neuroscience 2001 66 citations

Oxidation and erythrocyte senescence. Review

Current opinion in … 2000 256 citations

A review of nutrients and botanicals in the integrative management of cognitive dysfunction. Review

Alternative medicine review … 1999 112 citations

N-stearoyl-phosphatidylserine: synthesis and role in divalent-cation-induced aggregation and fusion. Other

Lipids 1998 6 citations

Interaction of bovine heart pyruvate kinase with phospholipids. Other

Biochimica et biophysica … 1995 7 citations

Inhibition of VSV binding and infectivity by phosphatidylserine: is phosphatidylserine a VSV-binding site? Other

Cell 1983 307 citations

Binding of monovalent cations to phosphatidylserine and modulation of Ca2+- and Mg2+-induced vesicle fusion. Other

Biochimica et biophysica … 1983 55 citations

Spectrin-phospholipid interaction. A monolayer study. Other

Biochimica et biophysica … 1980 118 citations

Fusion of phosphatidylserine and mixed phosphatidylserine-phosphatidylcholine vesicles. Dependence on calcium concentration and temperature. Other

Biochimica et biophysica … 1979 28 citations

Dosage & Usage

mg = milligrams · mcg = micrograms (1,000× smaller) · IU = International Units

Commonly Used Dosages

general:: 100 mg/day
cognitivesupport:: 100-300 mg/day

Upper limit: Well-tolerated up to 600 mg/day

Dosages Studied in Research

Dosage	Duration	Effect	N
50 mg/kg lycopene in mice	--	Positive	--
None	--	Negative	--
None	--	Negative	--
None	--	Positive	--
None	6.0 weeks	Mixed	138
40%	--	Mixed	--
None	--	Mixed	--
4 g	--	Mixed	--

Best taken: With meals for better absorption

Safety & Side Effects

Reported Side Effects

⚠ Mild gastrointestinal discomfort
⚠ Insomnia at high doses
⚠ Rare allergic reactions (soy-derived forms)

Known Interactions

● Anticholinergic medications (may reduce PS effectiveness)
● Blood thinners (theoretical interaction)
● Cholinesterase inhibitors (additive cholinergic effects)

Tolerable upper intake: Well-tolerated up to 600 mg/day

Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Phosphatidylserine help with Attention & Focus Difficulties?

Based on 5 studies with 350 participants, there is limited but promising evidence that Phosphatidylserine may support Attention & Focus Difficulties management. Our evidence grade is C (Some Evidence).

How much Phosphatidylserine should I take for Attention & Focus Difficulties?

Studies have used various dosages. A commonly studied range is 100 mg/day. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.

Are there side effects of Phosphatidylserine?

Reported side effects may include Mild gastrointestinal discomfort, Insomnia at high doses, Rare allergic reactions (soy-derived forms). Most side effects are mild and dose-dependent. Consult your doctor if you experience any adverse reactions.

How strong is the evidence for Phosphatidylserine and Attention & Focus Difficulties?

We rate the evidence as Grade C (Some Evidence). This rating is based on 5 peer-reviewed studies with 350 total participants. The overall direction of effect is positive.

Related Evidence

Other ingredients for Attention & Focus Difficulties

L-Theanine B Citicoline B Omega-3 Fatty Acids (DHA/EPA) C Bacopa monnieri C

Phosphatidylserine for other conditions

Age-Related Cognitive Decline B Stress-Induced Cognitive Decline C

Quick Verdict

Research suggests phosphatidylserine may help support focus and reduce behaviors associated with attention difficulties, particularly in stressed individuals.

Evidence Strength52%

Moderate confidence

Study Breakdown

RCT (1)Meta (0)Other (4)

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FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products and information on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The evidence grades presented are based on our analysis of published peer-reviewed research and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.