Phospholipids

Phospholipids refers to a special category of fat bound to phosphate. Usually, the phosphate is compounded with choline, serine, inositol, or ethanolamine, and these fats are referred to as phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylethanolamine. Phospholipids are critical in many processes, including in mitochondrial energy metabolism, and in many other aspects of health, especially in the brain and heart.

Phospholipids are important in a wide variety of processes in the brain as well as throughout the body.
Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is often called lecithin since it is an important component thereof. Among many other uses, PC is needed to make acetylcholine, which is an important neurotransmitter in the brain and peripheral nervous system.
Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a critical component of all cell membranes, including nerve cell membranes.
Phospholipids are of special concern in omega-3 supplementation because most omega-3 fatty acids (e.g., DHA and EPA) that enter the brain are complexed into phospholipids. In fact, omega-3 intake into brain is highly dependent on being part of a phospholipid.

Phospholipids are made by our bodies, and deficiency states are not known. However, some of the components that make specific phospholipids must come from the diet, especially omega-3 fatty acids and choline. PC is an excellent source of choline. Choline is sometimes called vitamin B4, but is rarely present in commercial vitamin supplements.

Phospholipids are supplemented to facilitate the uptake of omega-3 fatty acids into brain (see above). Among many different disease states, the phospholipids PC and PS are often recommended in people with ADHD.
PC is sometimes recommended to treat a variety of neurological disorders including, memory loss, Alzheimer, cognitive dysfunction, anxiety, depression, and movement disorders. Phosphatidylcholine is also sometimes recommended for treating disorders of the skin, liver, kidney, circulation, autoimmunity, and immunity. Some specific uses including the treatment of high cholesterol, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), inflammatory bowel disease, and aging.
PS is sometimes recommended to treat many neurological disorders, including memory loss, Alzheimer, stress, anxiety, depression, and ADHD. It is sometimes used as a nootropic (“smart drug”, to boost brain performance) as well as to improve athletic performance. PS is added to ActivNeeds in large part due to its likely positive effects on ADHD. One double-blind placebo-controlled study (PMID: 23495677) revealed that “PS significantly improved ADHD symptoms and short-term auditory memory in children.” Another blinded controlled study (PMID: 21807480) noted a reduction in ADHD-related symptoms on PS-omega-3s. A recent meta-analysis (careful review of other studies, PMID: 33539192) of four randomized clinical trials revealed a statistically significant effect of PS on symptoms of inattention.

Side effects are unexpected at usual doses used in ActivNeeds.