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Sharp-PS® Green

Sunflower-Derived Phosphatidylserine — The Brain’s Structural Phospholipid

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a phospholipid that accounts for 13–15% of all phospholipids in the human cerebral cortex — making it one of the most abundant structural components of brain cell membranes. 5-Brain® uses Sharp-PS® Green: a sunflower-derived, soy-free, non-GMO form that is the only dietary supplement ingredient to have received FDA qualified health claims relating to cognitive function.

13–15% of brain cortex phospholipids Only supplement with FDA cognitive QHC Sunflower-derived · Soy-free · Non-GMO Vegan · Clean-label Branded: IFF Health Sciences

Sharp-PS® Greenby IFF Health Sciences

Sunflower lecithin source Soy-free & non-GMO GRAS affirmed Vegan-compatible Studied in controlled trial (Friling 2026)

Brain cortex PS content

13–15%

Of total phospholipids (Glade & Smith 2015)

FDA qualified health claim review

2003

Cognitive function in the elderly · see FDA history section

5-Brain® dose

50 mg

Per 3-capsule daily serving

Studied dose range

100–600 mg

Across published clinical trials

What is it?

Phosphatidylserine is a naturally occurring phospholipid — a fat-based molecule that forms a critical component of cell membranes throughout the body. In the brain, it is the major acidic phospholipid, concentrated particularly in the inner leaflet of neuronal membranes where it plays structural and signaling roles. PS comprises approximately 11.4–14.4% of total phospholipids in the cerebral cortex and 16.0–21.1% in white matter and myelin (Ma et al. 2022).

The body produces PS endogenously and obtains it from dietary sources (an estimated 75–184 mg/day on a typical Western diet). Like ALCAR, it crosses the blood–brain barrier after oral consumption (Glade & Smith 2015), making supplementation potentially relevant to maintaining neuronal membrane composition.

Sharp-PS® Green is produced by IFF Health Sciences from sunflower lecithin — making it free from soy, non-GMO, and suitable for those avoiding soy allergens. It is distinct from the bovine-derived PS used in older research and from soy-derived PS used in most modern efficacy studies, and from PS-DHA formulations (where DHA is chemically attached to PS). These distinctions matter for interpreting the evidence below.

Source distinctions matter throughout this page: Phosphatidylserine research spans four distinct forms: (1) bovine cortex PS (BC-PS) — used in older landmark studies, no longer commercially available; (2) soy-derived PS — most modern plant-PS efficacy data; (3) PS-DHA (Sharp-PS Gold / Vayacog) — PS with omega-3 DHA chemically attached, a different formulation; and (4) sunflower-derived PS (Sharp-PS® Green) — what is in 5-Brain®. Only one published RCT has specifically used sunflower PS (Friling 2026). The source of PS used in every study cited below is clearly labeled.

Research timeline

1980s

Bovine PS (BC-PS) research era begins — Italian pharmaceutical company Fidia develops bovine cortex-derived PS and begins clinical investigation. The fatty-acid profile of bovine PS — naturally rich in DHA — proves particularly relevant to neurological function.

1991

Crook et al. (Neurology) — Landmark RCT of bovine PS (300 mg/day, n=149) in age-associated memory impairment. Researchers report associations with memory-related performance in daily life tasks. This study, together with Cenacchi 1993, forms the historical foundation reviewed by the FDA.

1990s

BSE crisis ends bovine PS — The “mad cow disease” (BSE) epidemic ends commercial bovine brain-derived PS. The industry transitions to plant-derived sources (initially soy). Plant PS has a different fatty-acid profile and has generally shown weaker effects in subsequent research.

2003

FDA qualified health claims issued — Following a petition covering both plant-derived and bovine PS, the FDA issues two qualified health claims for PS relating to cognitive dysfunction and dementia in the elderly — making PS the only dietary supplement to receive FDA qualified health claims for cognitive function.

2010

Kato-Kataoka et al. (J Clin Biochem Nutr) — Double-blind RCT of soy-PS (100 and 300 mg/day, n=78, elderly with memory complaints, 6 months). Researchers report associations with delayed verbal recall in the lower-performing subgroup. No adverse events.

2010–2014

Vakhapova/Korczyn PS-DHA studies — A series of RCTs using PS-DHA (PS with omega-3 DHA attached) in non-demented elderly with memory complaints. These studies are associated with memory and attention outcomes. PS-DHA is a different formulation from plain soy or sunflower PS.

2026

Friling et al. (Nutrition Journal) — first Sharp-PS® Green RCT — The first published randomized controlled trial using Sharp-PS® Green (sunflower PS) specifically. 151 healthy children aged 8–12, 100 mg/day, 12 weeks. Primary outcomes were null in the total cohort; subgroup finding for visuospatial memory in lower performers. Confirmed safe and well tolerated. IFF Health-affiliated authors.

The FDA qualified health claim

Phosphatidylserine holds a unique regulatory distinction: it is the only dietary supplement ingredient to have received FDA qualified health claims relating to cognitive function. These claims were issued in 2003 following a petition reviewed against the available clinical evidence at the time (primarily the bovine-PS studies of Crook 1991 and Cenacchi 1993).

The two qualified claims below are reproduced for transparency about PS’s regulatory history. They are NOT 5-Brain® product claims. They apply to an elderly population at risk for cognitive dysfunction or dementia, and the FDA explicitly required disclaimers stating that supporting evidence is “very limited and preliminary.” Any use of these claims on labels requires verification of the exact verbatim wording against the primary May 13, 2003 FDA letter.

FDA qualified health claims (2003)

“Phosphatidylserine (PS) may reduce the risk of cognitive dysfunction in the elderly. Very limited and preliminary scientific research suggests that PS may reduce the risk of cognitive dysfunction in the elderly. FDA concludes that there is very little scientific evidence supporting this claim.”

“Phosphatidylserine (PS) may reduce the risk of dementia in the elderly. Very limited and preliminary scientific research suggests that PS may reduce the risk of dementia in the elderly. FDA concludes that there is little scientific evidence supporting this claim.”

Important context for 5-Brain®: These claims concern the elderly with cognitive dysfunction or dementia risk — not healthy adults seeking cognitive support. 5-Brain® targets healthy adults, so these claims are a poor fit for product marketing. They are referenced here as a factual statement of PS’s regulatory history only. Any use of these claims on product labels requires the full FDA-mandated disclaimer wording, verified against the primary May 13, 2003 FDA letter (document ucm072999).

How it works — mechanisms of action

PS’s mechanisms are fundamentally structural and signaling-based. As a major component of neuronal cell membranes, it influences how those membranes function — affecting neurotransmitter release, receptor activity, and cellular signaling cascades. These mechanisms are well-characterized in the scientific literature (Glade & Smith 2015; Ma et al. 2022).

Phosphatidylserine in the neuronal cell membrane

Phosphatidylserine accounts for 13–15% of phospholipids in the human cerebral cortex and is concentrated in the inner leaflet of neuronal cell membranes, where its anionic head group interacts with membrane-associated signaling proteins. Diagram is schematic; molecular composition varies by membrane region and neuron type.

Phosphatidylserine (PS)

Other phospholipids (PC, PE)

Signaling protein (PKC)

Professor 5-Brain explains

Think of phosphatidylserine as part of the fabric of your brain cell membranes. Every neuron in your brain is wrapped in a membrane made largely of phospholipids — and PS is one of the most important ones, particularly concentrated in the parts of the membrane involved in signaling. When a neuron needs to release a neurotransmitter like acetylcholine or dopamine, PS plays a role in the membrane mechanics that make that release happen. It’s less like a switch and more like the quality of the wiring itself.

Neuronal membrane structure & fluidity

PS is concentrated in the inner leaflet of neuronal cell membranes, where its anionic (negatively charged) head group interacts with membrane-associated proteins. It is required for healthy nerve cell membranes and myelin, and its composition influences membrane fluidity and receptor function.

Well-established structural role (Glade & Smith 2015; Ma 2022)

Neurotransmitter release support

PS facilitates the fusion of secretory vesicles with the presynaptic membrane — a key step in neurotransmitter release. PS incorporation into membranes is associated with the metabolism and release of acetylcholine, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin (Glade & Smith 2015).

Mechanistic & review evidence

Protein kinase C (PKC) cofactor

PS acts as a cofactor for protein kinase C, an enzyme involved in intracellular signaling cascades relevant to synaptic plasticity and memory-related neuronal adaptation. This signaling role connects membrane PS content to downstream neuronal function.

Mechanistic evidence (Glade & Smith 2015)

HPA-axis & cortisol modulation

PS-containing preparations have been studied in the context of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) stress axis. At doses of 400 mg/day (as a PS+phosphatidic acid complex), associations with blunted cortisol and ACTH responses to acute stress have been reported in research with chronically stressed men (Hellhammer 2014). This is a dose- and population-specific finding.

PS+PA complex at 400 mg — dose/formulation-specific

Apoptotic signaling

PS externalization (flipping to the outer membrane leaflet) serves as the “eat me” signal that marks damaged or aged neurons for clearance by microglia — a normal part of healthy neuronal maintenance and brain homeostasis (Ma et al. 2022).

Well-established cellular biology

Age-related PS decline

Brain PS content has been reported to decline with aging, and this decline has been associated with impaired neurotransmission and cognitive function in the scientific literature (Glade & Smith 2015). This provides the biological rationale for PS supplementation, particularly in the context of brain aging.

Review evidence — not from supplementation trials

5-Brain® system mapping

PS’s associations with the 5-Brain® systems are grounded primarily in structural and mechanistic evidence. Clinical evidence in healthy adults is limited and the 5-Brain dose is below studied efficacy thresholds.

Neural Communication

Primary mechanistic domain. PS is a structural component of neuronal membranes and plays a studied role in neurotransmitter release mechanics for acetylcholine, dopamine, and serotonin.

Brain Energy & Longevity

Studied associations with healthy neuronal membrane maintenance and age-related PS decline. Structural membrane integrity is relevant to long-term neuronal function.

Mood & Stress Resilience

PS-containing preparations have been studied for associations with HPA-axis and cortisol modulation at higher doses (400 mg PS+PA complex). These findings are from research at doses 8× the 5-Brain® serving.

Memory & Learning

Historical bovine-PS and soy-PS clinical data in elderly populations. The only sunflower PS RCT (Friling 2026) was null on primary outcomes. Limited evidence at 5-Brain dose in healthy adults.

Focus & Attention

Some PS-DHA and PS+PA data in specific populations. Not a primary studied domain for sunflower PS at the 5-Brain dose.

Human clinical evidence

Each study below is labeled with the PS source used and the population studied. The source distinction is critical: bovine PS, soy PS, PS-DHA, and sunflower PS (Sharp-PS® Green) are not interchangeable when interpreting evidence.

Sharp-PS® Green · RCTNull on primary outcomes

Friling et al. (2026) — Nutrition Journal

n=151 healthy children 8–12 years · Sunflower PS (Sharp-PS® Green) 100 mg/day · 12 weeks · IFF Health-affiliated authors

The only published RCT specifically using Sharp-PS® Green. In the total cohort, there were no differences on primary or secondary cognitive outcomes. In a pre-defined subgroup of children with consistently below-median baseline performance, researchers reported associations with visuospatial memory. Supplementation with 100 mg/day Sharp-PS® Green was confirmed safe and well tolerated in all participants. Note: population is children, not adults; dose is 100 mg vs 5-Brain’s 50 mg.

PMID 41318468 Source: sunflower PS (Sharp-PS® Green) · Primary outcomes null · Safety confirmed

Key takeawayThe only published RCT to use Sharp-PS® Green specifically was null on primary cognitive outcomes in healthy children. Safety was confirmed at 100 mg/day. We do not transfer this finding to adult populations either way.

Double-blind RCTSoy PS · Elderly with memory complaints

Kato-Kataoka et al. (2010) — J Clin Biochem Nutr

n=78, ages 50–69, mild cognitive impairment / memory complaints · Soy-PS 100 or 300 mg/day · 6 months

Researchers reported that soy-PS was associated with delayed verbal recall, with the 100 mg/day group showing statistically significant associations. Benefits were most evident in the subgroup with the lowest baseline scores. No adverse events; blood markers and vitals unchanged throughout. Source: soy-derived PS (not sunflower). Population: older adults with memory complaints (not healthy adults seeking enhancement). Dose: 100 mg — 2× the 5-Brain serving.

PMID 21103034 Source: soy PS · Population: elderly with memory complaints · Dose: 100–300 mg

Key takeawaySoy PS at 100–300 mg/day was associated with memory measures in older adults with baseline memory complaints. Different PS source than 5-Brain® (soy vs sunflower) and higher doses; effects in healthy younger adults remain untested.

Formulation mismatch — PS-DHA, not plain PSRCT

Vakhapova et al. (2010) — Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord

n=157 non-demented elderly with memory complaints · PS-DHA 300 mg PS/day · 15 weeks

Researchers reported associations with immediate and verbal recall and learning in this PS-DHA trial. A subgroup with higher baseline cognitive status showed the greatest associations. Critical formulation note: this study used PS-DHA (phosphatidylserine with omega-3 DHA chemically attached) — this is a different product from plain sunflower PS or plain soy PS. Results cannot be attributed to PS alone. Population: elderly with memory complaints, not healthy adults.

PMID 20523044 Source: PS-DHA (not plain PS or sunflower PS) · Results not attributable to PS alone

Key takeawayThis widely-cited study used PS-DHA — a different molecule than plain PS — so its findings cannot be transferred to sunflower or soy PS supplements. We include it for completeness, not as direct evidence for Sharp-PS® Green.

Double-blind RCTSoy PS+PA · Healthy males · Stress

Hellhammer et al. (2014) — Lipids in Health & Disease

n=75 healthy males · PS+phosphatidic acid complex 200 or 400 mg/day · 42 days

The 400 mg PS+PA group showed statistically significant associations with normalized ACTH (p=0.010), salivary cortisol (p=0.043), and serum cortisol (p=0.035) responses to acute stress in chronically high-stressed participants. The 200 mg group showed no significant associations. Source: soy PS combined with phosphatidic acid — not plain PS alone. Effect required 400 mg PS+PA (8× the 5-Brain PS dose). Population: healthy males; effects in women not studied.

PMID 25081826 Source: soy PS+PA complex · Not plain PS · Dose: 400 mg PS+PA (8× 5-Brain)

Key takeawayPS+PA complex at 400 mg/day showed cortisol associations in chronically stressed men. Effect required 8× the 5-Brain® PS dose and used a different compound (PS+PA, not plain PS). Mechanism-suggestive, not product-applicable.

Double-blind crossover RCTSoy PS · Athletes · Exercise cortisol

Starks et al. (2008) — J Int Soc Sports Nutr

n=10 healthy males · Soy-PS 600 mg/day · 10 days · Crossover design

Researchers reported that PS was associated with a blunted exercise-induced cortisol response and an improved testosterone-to-cortisol ratio. Authors concluded PS may contribute to a favorable hormonal environment for athletes. Source: soy-derived PS. Dose: 600 mg (12× the 5-Brain serving). Small sample (n=10). Mechanistic context for the cortisol/stress angle only.

PMID 18662395 Source: soy PS · Dose: 600 mg · n=10 · Athletes only

Key takeawayVery small (n=10) athlete study at a 12× higher dose than 5-Brain®. Cortisol/testosterone findings are mechanistically interesting but not generalizable to non-athlete populations or the 50 mg dose.

Historical foundation — bovine PS onlyRCT

Crook et al. (1991) — Neurology & Cenacchi et al. (1993) — Aging (Milano)

Crook: n=149, AAMI, BC-PS 300 mg/day, 12 weeks · Cenacchi: n=494, elderly with cognitive decline, BC-PS 300 mg/day, 6 months

These two bovine-cortex PS trials form the historical foundation reviewed by the FDA for the 2003 qualified health claims. Crook 1991 reported associations with daily-life memory tasks; Cenacchi 1993 reported associations with behavioral and cognitive measures in a large multicenter trial. Both used bovine-cortex PS (BC-PS) — no longer commercially available due to BSE concerns — which has a different fatty-acid profile from modern sunflower or soy PS. We include these as historical regulatory context.

Crook: PMID 2027477 · Cenacchi: PMID 8323999 Source: bovine cortex PS · Historical regulatory context

Key takeawayThese trials underlie the 2003 FDA qualified health claim history, but used bovine-cortex PS (no longer available) with a different fatty-acid profile than modern sunflower PS. Important historical context; not direct evidence for Sharp-PS® Green.

What the research actually says

Honest evidence summary

Phosphatidylserine has a well-established structural and mechanistic role in neuronal membranes, a substantial clinical research history across several decades, and the unique distinction of being the only dietary supplement ingredient to have received FDA qualified health claims for cognitive function. The strength of the evidence varies significantly depending on the source of PS and the population studied.

What studies consistently support

PS is a major structural phospholipid of neuronal cell membranes, accounting for 13–15% of phospholipids in the human cerebral cortex — well-established at the biochemistry level (Glade & Smith 2015; Ma et al. 2022).
PS supplementation has a long safety history in healthy adults across decades of clinical research, with no serious adverse events reported in the trials cited above.
PS is the only dietary supplement ingredient to receive FDA qualified health claims (2003) related to cognitive function in the elderly.
In bovine-cortex PS (BC-PS) studies of elderly populations with cognitive complaints, researchers reported associations with memory measures at 100–300 mg/day — the historical foundation for the FDA review.

What remains uncertain

Whether sunflower-derived PS (Sharp-PS® Green) produces the same effects as the historical bovine-cortex PS or modern soy PS. The fatty-acid profiles differ; the studies are mostly not interchangeable.
Whether the 5-Brain® dose of 50 mg/day produces effects comparable to the 100–300 mg doses used in the positive published studies.
Whether PS supplementation produces measurable cognitive effects in healthy young or middle-aged adults. Most published research is in older adults with age-related concerns.
The only RCT to test Sharp-PS® Green specifically (Friling 2026) was null on primary cognitive outcomes in a healthy-children cohort. Adult Sharp-PS® Green data does not yet exist in the peer-reviewed literature.

What to realistically expect

PS is a structural ingredient — its role is foundational to brain cell membrane biology rather than acute or stimulant-like.
Any effects would accumulate over weeks of consistent daily use, not appear within hours or days.
Sharp-PS® Green is a sunflower-derived, soy-free, non-GMO PS source that fits cleanly within the 5-Brain® whole-systems formulation logic.
This is one of six 5-Brain® ingredients, each addressing different cognitive mechanisms. We do not position PS at 50 mg as producing memory or cognitive outcomes on its own.

Professor 5-Brain — the honest take

Phosphatidylserine has more name recognition than many cognitive ingredients, but the strong historical evidence is concentrated in bovine-cortex PS in elderly populations — not the sunflower form we use, and not the population most of you are. Where Sharp-PS® Green earns its spot in 5-Brain® is as a structural contributor: PS makes up a meaningful fraction of every neuron’s membrane chemistry, and our formula is built on the recognition that brain health is about more than neurotransmitters. The membrane itself matters.

Why we selected Sharp-PS® Green

Formulation rationale

Sunflower-derived — the cleanest available PS source. Sharp-PS® Green is produced from sunflower lecithin, making it soy-free, non-GMO, and vegan-compatible. For consumers avoiding soy allergens or GMO ingredients, sunflower PS is a meaningful formulation advantage over the soy-derived PS used in most modern research.

The only supplement ingredient with FDA qualified health claims for cognitive function. While those claims concern the elderly and carry a mandatory FDA disclaimer about limited evidence, the regulatory precedent reflects the depth of PS’s research history and the FDA’s willingness to review the science — an unusual distinction in the supplement landscape.

Foundational membrane mechanism. PS is not a stimulant or an acute cognitive enhancer. Its role is structural — it is a core constituent of the neuronal membranes through which every other cognitive mechanism in this formula ultimately operates. Including a key membrane phospholipid in the formula addresses a dimension — structural neuronal integrity — that no other ingredient in the stack covers.

Studied and safety-confirmed in a controlled trial. Friling 2026 is the first published RCT of Sharp-PS® Green specifically, and while the primary cognitive outcomes were null, it directly confirmed that 100 mg/day sunflower PS is safe and well tolerated in a controlled clinical setting. The 5-Brain® dose of 50 mg sits well within the documented safe range.

Synergy within the 5-Brain® formula

Sharp-PS® + ALCAR

Both are studied for their roles in the acetylcholine pathway — PS at the membrane level (facilitating neurotransmitter vesicle fusion) and ALCAR as an acetyl-group donor for acetylcholine synthesis. Complementary roles within the same neurotransmitter system.

Membrane + Precursor — cholinergic

Sharp-PS® + Bacopa

Bacopa is studied for cholinergic signaling and synaptic plasticity; PS is studied for the structural integrity of the membranes those synapses depend on. Signal quality and structural substrate — operating at different levels of the same system.

Signaling + Structural substrate

Sharp-PS® + Ginkgo

Ginkgo is studied for cerebrovascular mechanisms; PS is studied for neuronal membrane integrity. Blood supply to neurons and the quality of the neuronal membranes themselves — two complementary dimensions of neuronal health.

Vascular + Membrane integrity

Sharp-PS® + Meriva®

Meriva® is studied for its associations with healthy inflammatory response pathways. PS is studied for its role in membrane-mediated neuroinflammation modulation (Ma 2022). Both ingredients have studied associations with the cellular environment around neuronal membranes.

Membrane + Inflammatory environment

Dosage & context

5-Brain® dose

50 mg

per day · Sharp-PS® Green · sunflower-derived PS

Published clinical trials studied PS at 100–600 mg/day — the 5-Brain serving is a foundational dose within a multi-ingredient formula, below the range studied for cognitive endpoints

PS is also obtained from diet — estimated at 75–184 mg/day on a typical Western diet — so supplementation adds to an existing dietary baseline

The 50 mg dose is well within the confirmed safe range: Friling 2026 confirmed safety at 100 mg/day; trials at 300–600 mg/day reported no significant adverse events

PS is fat-soluble — taking with a meal containing dietary fat may support absorption

Safety & tolerability

Established tolerability

Sharp-PS® Green specifically confirmed safe and well tolerated at 100 mg/day in Friling 2026 (n=151, 12 weeks)
Soy PS studies (Kato-Kataoka 2010) reported no adverse events at 100–300 mg/day over 6 months
PS-DHA safety confirmed at 300 mg/day (15 weeks) and 100 mg/day (30 weeks) in Vakhapova 2011
5-Brain’s 50 mg dose is well within the documented safety envelope
Sunflower-derived: soy-free, suitable for soy-allergic individuals
GRAS affirmed (GRN 000636, sunflower lecithin-derived PS)

Notes & considerations

Mild GI upset and insomnia have been reported anecdotally at higher doses (300+ mg), particularly when taken late in the day
Theoretical caution with anticholinergic or cholinergic medications (e.g., acetylcholinesterase inhibitors) — consult your healthcare provider
Theoretical caution with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications is commonly advised — discuss with your healthcare provider
Not studied in pregnancy — consult your healthcare provider before use if pregnant or nursing
BSE restriction: the FDA QHC specifies that bovine-derived PS must not come from BSE-risk cattle. Sharp-PS® Green is sunflower-derived and is unaffected by this restriction

Frequently asked questions

What makes Sharp-PS® Green different from regular phosphatidylserine?

Sharp-PS® Green is derived from sunflower lecithin rather than soy lecithin or bovine brain tissue. This makes it soy-free, non-GMO, and vegan-compatible — relevant for the growing number of consumers avoiding soy allergens or GMO ingredients. It is manufactured by IFF Health Sciences using proprietary processing technology. The underlying phospholipid (phosphatidylserine) is the same molecule regardless of source, but the source affects the fatty-acid composition and allergen profile of the final ingredient.

What is the FDA qualified health claim for phosphatidylserine?

In 2003, the FDA issued two qualified health claims for PS — making it the only dietary supplement ingredient to receive FDA qualified health claims relating to cognitive function. Both claims concern the elderly and cognitive dysfunction or dementia risk, and both require mandatory disclaimers stating that evidence is “very limited and preliminary” or “little.” These claims are not applicable to healthy adults seeking cognitive support. They are referenced on this page as a statement of PS’s regulatory history, not as an efficacy endorsement for 5-Brain®.

Has Sharp-PS® Green been studied in a clinical trial?

Yes — Friling et al. (2026, Nutrition Journal) is the first published RCT specifically using Sharp-PS® Green (sunflower PS, 100 mg/day, 12 weeks, n=151 healthy children aged 8–12). The primary and secondary cognitive outcomes showed no significant differences in the total cohort. A pre-defined subgroup of lower-performing children showed a visuospatial memory finding. The study confirmed that 100 mg/day Sharp-PS® Green is safe and well tolerated. This is the most relevant trial for 5-Brain® — and we disclose its null primary findings transparently.

Why is the dose in 5-Brain® lower than clinical trial doses?

Most published positive PS trials used 100–300 mg/day. 5-Brain® delivers 50 mg/day as one of six ingredients in a multi-ingredient formula. PS is also obtained from diet — estimated at 75–184 mg/day on a typical Western diet — so the supplement dose adds to an existing dietary baseline. The 5-Brain® formulation philosophy is complementary multi-ingredient support across distinct mechanisms, not standalone clinical dosing of individual ingredients. The 50 mg dose is well within the confirmed safe range.

Is phosphatidylserine the same as phosphatidylcholine?

No — they are different phospholipids. Phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylserine (PS) both form part of neuronal cell membranes but have different head groups and different functional roles. PS carries a serine head group and a net negative charge, making it particularly relevant to membrane signaling. In 5-Brain®, Meriva® Curcumin Phytosome uses phosphatidylcholine as its delivery complex — that is a separate ingredient from Sharp-PS® Green, which contributes phosphatidylserine specifically.

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References
Friling M et al. (2026) Nutrition Journal 25(1):3 · PMID 41318468 · Kato-Kataoka A et al. (2010) J Clin Biochem Nutr 47(3):246–55 · PMID 21103034 · Vakhapova V et al. (2010) Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 29(5):467–74 · PMID 20523044 · Vakhapova V et al. (2011) BMC Neurol 11:79 · PMID 21711517 · Hellhammer J et al. (2014) Lipids Health Dis 13:121 · PMID 25081826 · Starks MA et al. (2008) J Int Soc Sports Nutr 5:11 · PMID 18662395 · Crook TH et al. (1991) Neurology 41(5):644–9 · PMID 2027477 · Cenacchi T et al. (1993) Aging (Milano) 5(2):123–33 · PMID 8323999 · Glade MJ, Smith K (2015) Nutrition 31(6):781–6 · PMID 25933483 · Ma X et al. (2022) Front Aging Neurosci 14:975176 · Benton D et al. (2001) Nutr Neurosci 4(3):169–78 · PMID 11842886

This page is for educational and informational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning any supplement regimen, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications (including anticoagulant, antiplatelet, or cholinergic medications), or have a medical condition.