Phosphatidylserine Increases Testosterone And Lowers Cortisol
July 29, 2008
By Scott Welch
A study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition http://www.jissn.com indicates that the consumption of a Phosphatidylserine (PS) can help to effectively manage exercise induced stress and promote healthy free testosterone levels.
An excessive cortisol response to exercise-induced stress has been linked to a negative training state, which could lead to overreaching or overtraining. Chronic overtraining often creates a disturbance in the anabolic-catabolic balance, which may express itself in decreased performance, injury, depressed immunity, and psychological depression. PS has been reported to be an effective supplement for combating exercise-induced stress and preventing the physiological deterioration that accompanies too much exercise. Previously, 800 mg of soy-derived PS has been reported to reduce the cortisol response to intensive resistance training by 20%.
This clinical trial investigated the influence of short-term supplementation with a moderate dose of PS (600 mg per day) on endocrine response to moderate intensity exercise on a cycle ergometer. The PS group was able to decrease mean peak cortisol concentrations by 39% when compared to the placebo group. In addition, PS promoted healthy free testosterone levels and consequently significantly improved the “testosterone to cortisol” ratio by 184% when compared to placebo. Neither PS nor placebo supplementation had an effect on lactate or growth hormone levels.
Previous findings suggested that the effect of PS on cortisol might be dose dependent. “For the first time, short-term supplementation with a moderate dose of PS showed significant results”, said Dr. Martin Purpura, Managing Member of Increnovo LLC and co-author of the study. “Preventing the negative effect of cortisol and increasing the testosterone to cortisol ratio will allow athletes to train and compete at their highest levels”. Additionally, Scott Hagerman, president of Chemi Nutra, sponsor of the study’s publication and leader in the production of PS said, “Chemi Nutra has filed a patent for PS’s effects to promote healthy testosterone levels. These exciting findings will open new markets for PS-based sports nutrition and anti-aging nutritional supplements, and we intend to pursue several very promising applications with selected customers”. One of the best Cortisol control supplements on the market is CortBloc made by MuscleLink (http://www.home-gym.com/mucocosu.html).
SOURCE: NPI Center
http://www.npicenter.com/anm/templates/newsATemp.aspx?articleid=21740&zoneid=28
Study Proves That Phosphatidylserine Can Improve Your Golf Game
June 1, 2008
A study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition proves that the consumption of a phosphatidylserine containing functional food can improve performance in golfers.
The participation in physical activity often challenges a variety of physiological systems; consequently, the ability to maintain normal cellular function during activity can determine sporting performance. Previous clinical trials have proven that phosphatidylserine supplementation results in improved physical and mental stress resistance. These findings suggest that phosphatidylserine supplementation might be beneficial for sports demanding high levels of concentration and coordination such as the game of golf.
“The golf swing requires the interaction of the central nervous system and skeletal muscles as well as the correct combination of power, velocity and endurance” said Prof. Michael Weiß with the Department of Sport and Health of the University of Paderborn, one of the study’s investigators. “The golf swing is a complex motion and especially teeing off and putting creates high levels of tension” he continued.
In a gold standard clinical trial (randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind) twenty golfers with handicaps between 15 and 40 had to tee-off 20 times in 15-second intervals and were asked to hit a target at a distance of 135 meters. After the pre-test, the golfers consumed one IQ PLUS™ BAR containing 200 mg phosphatidylserine per day and repeated the test after 6 weeks. As a result, golfers consuming the IQ PLUS™ BAR had lower levels of perceived stress and significantly improved the number of good ball flights during tee-off which might result in an improved handicap.
“For the first time, a functional food was used as study material in a nutritional intervention study on golf performance” said Dr. Martin Purpura, Managing Member of Increnovo LLC and co-author of the study. “This clearly differentiates the IQ PLUS™ BAR from other products that are marketed for golfers”. Additionally, Scott Hagerman, president of Chemi Nutra, sponsor of the study’s publication and leader in the production of phosphatidylserine said, “It is well known that phosphatidylserine benefits mental capabilities as well as improve exercise performance, and this study adds to the existing body of science”.