One of the most important compounds in our body is a type of phospholipid called plasmalogens. This lipid helps maintain the integrity of our cell membranes.
Having healthy levels of plasmalogens is critical for good health and longevity. Low plasmalogen levels are linked to diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.
Mood
Orally administered plasmalogens alleviate negative mood states, sleep problems, and enhance mental concentration. They also suppress oxidative stress-induced neuroinflammation (Ifuku et al., 2012). These effects may be responsible for the suppression of a variety of adverse cognitive and emotional states, such as anger, anxiety, confusion, depression, fatigue, tension, vigor, friendliness, and irritability.
In a 4-week randomized controlled trial, 40 physically active college students received either a plasmalogen supplement or a placebo twice daily. They were asked to complete a Profile of Mood States (POMS) inventory consisting of seven mood dimensions — anger, anxiety, confusion, depression, fatigue, friendliness, and vigor — on a 0-20 scale. The researchers also measured blood levels of plasmalogens, physical performance, and mental focus in the participants before and after treatment.
The primary outcome was the change in overall mood (defined as the sum of all negative mood scores minus the sum of all positive mood scores) compared with placebo after 4 weeks. There was no significant difference between the plasmalogen and placebo groups.
However, plasmalogen supplementation significantly improved the T-scores of anger-hostility and fatigue-inertia on POMS 2 compared with baseline scores. The changes in these T-scores were more pronounced in those with higher baseline scores in the plasmalogen group than in the placebo group (interaction p
Moreover, the changes in the Athens Insomnia Scale score were more pronounced in the plasmalogen group than in the control group. The difference was significant at both 2 and 4 weeks, but only in those with higher baseline scores.
The authors suggest that plasmalogens can improve mood by inhibiting oxidative stress-induced neuroinflammation in the amygdala and neocortex. However, more studies are needed to substantiate these conclusions.
Memory
Plasmalogens are an important phospholipid that plays a vital role in memory and cognitive function. Studies show that low levels of plasmalogens can be linked to Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.
It is also essential for cellular health and resistance to oxidative stress. Researchers believe that these phospholipids can prevent free radicals from damaging your cells.
While memory declines with age, consuming a plasmalogen supplement can improve your cognitive performance and reduce brain fog. A study published in 2022 found that supplementing with a plasmalogen derived from scallop improved spatial reference memory and learning in aged mice.
In addition, plasmalogens are a source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which has been shown to increase memory. DHA is a type of Omega-3 fat that has many benefits for the body.
One of the best ways to get the recommended daily amount of DHA is by eating foods that contain these fatty acids, such as fish, eggs, and seeds. However, not everyone can get enough DHA from their diets.
A 2019 study from seven scientists in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease & Parkinsonism examined 157 patients with moderate to severe dementia and found that those supplemented with scallop-derived plasmalogen improved their cognitive function. Those supplementing with Pls had a higher score on the Mini Mental State Examination and were able to perform better in the U-K test.
The researchers also found that plasmalogens can improve cognitive function in older patients with mild AD and MCI. They also found that Pls treatment improved WMS-R 0 min and 30 min tests, as well as improved MMSE-J scores. Unlike other plasmalogen supplements, ProdromeNeuro Omega 3 oil contains naturally occurring Omega-3 fatty acids in higher concentrations than the products studied in this research.
Focus
Plasmalogens are phospholipids that are found in high concentrations in the brain. These lipids have been shown to improve memory and sharpen cognitive function. This new supplement, Daiwa Brain Health(r), contains Hokkaido Scallop Oil Plasmalogen (HSOP) as its main ingredient and is designed to support brain health.
Researchers evaluated 40 physically active college students who consumed a plasmalogen supplement for 4 weeks. They used the Profile of Mood States (POMS) to measure mood, physical performance, mental focus and blood levels of plasmalogens compared with placebo.
Participants were also screened for oxidative stress biomarkers in their blood samples at the beginning of the trial and again after four weeks of supplementation. Results showed that increasing blood levels of DHA-plasmalogens using ProdromeNeuro Omega-3 Oil significantly improved oxidative stress biomarkers compared with baseline values.
Research suggests that low levels of plasmalogens contribute to age-related brain decline and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Low levels are also linked to asthma, heart disease and bipolar disorder.
The synthesis of plasmalogens occurs in the peroxisome, where three enzymes – FAR1, DHAP-AT and alkyl DHAP synthase – are needed to generate the molecules. These enzymatic reactions are necessary for proper functioning of the cell membranes and also help protect the body from free radical damage.
It is estimated that a person needs about 2-5 grams of plasmalogens per day. These can be obtained through the consumption of foods such as meat, poultry, fish and dairy products. It is also possible to produce these lipids in the body through de novo synthesis.
Concentration
There is a growing body of research that suggests plasmalogens are an important building block for brain health and function. They help maintain optimal neurotransmitter levels and are found in high concentrations in the brain, heart, lungs, and eyes.
Plasmalogens are a special class of glycerophospholipids (fats) that contain a vinyl ether bond at the sn-1 position and an ester bond at the sn-2 position, usually containing an ethanolamine or choline head group. This enables them to serve as a reservoir for the essential fatty acids oleic acid, arachidonic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid. They are also anti-inflammatory, powerful antioxidants, and a critical part of cell membranes and lipoproteins.
The use of plasmalogens has been shown to improve cognitive performance in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (Fujino et al., 2019), and Parkinson’s disease (Mawatari et al., 2020). Increasing plasmalogen levels in healthy individuals has also been linked to increased brain health and function.
Researchers compared the effects of a 4-week supplement of plasmalogens with placebo on mood, focus, and physical performance in 40 physically active college students (ages 18-22). Study participants were randomly allocated to either plasmalogen or placebo treatment groups, ingesting two capsules of 2 mg plasmalogen or placebo twice daily for four weeks.
Concentration, as measured by self-reported psychobehavioral measures such as the Profile of Mood States (POMS), was significantly improved in the plasmalogen group. Participants also showed improvements in focus and physical performance compared with the placebo group. The difference between groups was statistically significant at 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, based on repeated measures analysis of variance corrected by the Greenhouse-Geisser method.
Other laboratory tests such as blood BDNF and urinary 8-hydroxy-dG and deoxyguanosine did not change in the plasmalogen or placebo groups. The participants did not experience any adverse effects during the trial.
Mobility
Mobility is a vital component of good health. It enables you to move around, which in turn makes it easier for you to do other activities such as exercise and work. In addition, it can improve your strength, and it also helps you stay flexible.
A plasmalogen supplement can help you achieve optimal mobility and strength. This is because it contains a variety of compounds that help your joints move and function properly. In addition, it also contains compounds that boost energy levels, which is crucial for moving around and exercising.
The main ingredient of a plasmalogen supplement is a phospholipid called DHA-Plasmalogen. It’s a unique lipid that is found in many tissues and organs throughout the body. It’s a necessary molecule for the brain, heart, eyes and kidneys to function at their best.
In some cases, low DHA-Plasmalogen levels are linked to neurological health issues like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. By replenishing these deficiency levels with a plasmalogen supplement, you can protect your body from diseases and live longer.
Additionally, DHA-Plasmalogen can help you feel more focused and concentrate better, which is a great benefit to your overall health. It can also improve your mood and decrease fatigue.
Besides these benefits, DHA-Plasmalogen is also a powerful antioxidant that can help you fight disease and prevent age-related conditions. In fact, research has shown that high DHA-Plasmalogen levels can help you live longer by boosting your immune system and helping to control blood sugar levels.
A study that compared the effects of a DHA-AAG plasmalogen precursor with a placebo treatment in cognitively impaired adults showed a dose-dependent elevation in DHA-Plasmalogen levels. In addition, it improved oxidative stress biomarkers including malondialdehyde and catalase. This resulted in a significant improvement in cognition and mobility.