Cortisol is a so-called stress hormone and belongs to the glucocorticoids. Cortisol is produced in the adrenal cortex. Synthesis of cortisol in the adrenal cortex is stimulated by ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone). ACTH is released from the anterior pituitary in
a study published in the journal Lipids in Health and Disease showed the use of phosphatidylserine to normalize “stress response” in stressed persons. Phosphatidylserine reduced high stress hormone levels (cortisol levels). [1]
Whether phosphatidylserine also additionally lowers cortisol levels in persons with levels that are normal or too low has not yet been investigated.
Likewise not clarified is the mechanism by which phosphatidylserine can reduce the stress-induced cortisol.
There are different theories. Phosphatidylserine may have an influence on the interaction between binding molecules and receptors. For example, the ACTH is docked to receptors, causing an increased secretion of cortisol.
ACTH is also regulated via a superordinated CRF molecule. Thus, a theory speaks of a changed effect of CFR on the receptor under long-term phosphatidylserin intake. This results in less ACTH and consequently less cortisol secretion. This would indicate that phosphatidylserine would also lower cortisol levels if these were not pathologically elevated, for example, by stress. However, one would also be less vulnerable to stress. [2]
Since the effect of phosphatidylserine is also described in acute stress, a further mechanism of action can be postulated.
Acute physical exertion with oxygen deficiency affects cells in the hypothalamus (pituitary gland) which contain AVP (arginine vasopressin). AVP, on the other hand, leads increased secretion of ACTH.
AVP from the neurons in the hypothalamus is known to increases ACTH levels in humans. Physical stress in the form of increased running performance activates these neurons via the lactate threshold [3]
When PS (600 mg / day) inhibits the release of AVP, PS also causes a reduction in ACTH and consequently the cortisol level also decreases.
Verifiable phosphatidylserine can influence the hormonal stress response of the human body in the sense of a stress reduction. Whether phosphatidylserine decreases cortisol levels further in the case of adrenocortical insufficiency, remains unknown.
However, it is possible that a type of protective mechanism of phosphatidylserine on the adrenal cortex (in the form that stress-induced cortisol spikes) could be “retained” and the basal level of cortisol even increased. It would therefore make sense to perform a study which investigates the effects of phosphatidylserine on adrenocortical insufficiency.
[1] Juliane Hellhammer, Dominic Vogt, Nadin Franz, Ulla Freitas, David Rutenberg
A soy-based phosphatidylserine/ phosphatidic acid complex (PAS) normalizes the stress reactivity of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal-axis in chronically stressed male subjects: a randomized, placebo-controlled study
Lipids in Health and Disease, July 2014
[2] Michael A Starks, Stacy L Starks, Michael Kingsley, Martin Purpura, Ralf Jäger
The effects of phosphatidylserine on endocrine response to moderate intensity exercise
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, July 2008
[2] G. A. Witten, D. E. Stewart, M. P. Graves, M. J. Ellis, M. J. Evans, J. E. Wells, R. A. Donald, E. A. Espiner
Plasma corticotrophin releasing factor and vasopressin responses to exercise in normal man.
Clinical Endocrinology, October 1991
(3) Tsuyoshi Saito, Hideaki Soya
Delineation of responsive AVP-containing neurons to running stress in the hypothalamus
American Journal of Physiology, March 2004