ProdromeScan Practitioner Resource
Plasmalogens
With sufficiency, plasmalogens contribute to:
- Neurogenesis, neuroplasticity, myelination, and neurotransmission (‘fusogenic’ in regards to synapse connectivity).
- Endogenous antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging neutralizing peroxides in response to neuroinflammation and oxidative stress.
- Protection of essential cell membrane components–other phospholipids, lipoproteins, metabolites.
- Support of membrane stability and function including reverse cholesterol transport.
- Decreased dementia incidence and APOE4 allele related risk.
Plasmalogens (present in all cells) are prominent in the brain, heart, kidney, lungs, and retina. Dependent on endogenous production, as we cannot (to any appreciable degree) obtain bioactive plasmalogens dietarily, levels tend to decline with age. Although we produce a lot of them, we also consume a lot and as insults accrue, demand for plasmalogens outpaces production. Dr. Goodenowe uses the analogy of plasmalogens being ‘the fuse that blows’ protecting other essential cell membrane components (essential fatty acids, flavonoids, lipoproteins, other phospholipids). Low levels have been associated with dementia and other neurological conditions (Parkinson’s, MS, autism/ADHD, stroke, TBI/CTA), chronic inflammatory and metabolic disorders, sarcopenia, some cancers, and all-cause mortality.
Resources (see Articles/Publications)
Dr. Goodenowe Research Institute
Peripheral ethanolamine plasmalogen deficiency: a logical causative factor in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
“Although dementia of the Alzheimer’s type (DAT) is the most common form of dementia, the severity of dementia is only weakly correlated with DAT pathology. In contrast, postmortem measurements of cholinergic function and membrane ethanolamine plasmalogen (PlsEtn) content in the cortex and hippocampus correlate with the severity of dementia in DAT. Currently, the largest risk factor for DAT is age. Because the synthesis of PlsEtn occurs via a single nonredundant peroxisomal pathway that has been shown to decrease with age and PlsEtn is decreased in the DAT brain, we investigated potential relationships between serum PlsEtn levels, dementia severity, and DAT pathology. In total, serum PlsEtn levels were measured in five independent population collections comprising >400 clinically demented and >350 nondemented subjects. Circulating PlsEtn levels were observed to be significantly decreased in serum from clinically and pathologically diagnosed DAT subjects at all stages of dementia, and the severity of this decrease correlated with the severity of dementia. Furthermore, a linear regression model predicted that serum PlsEtn levels decrease years before clinical symptoms. The putative roles that PlsEtn biochemistry play in the etiology of cholinergic degeneration, amyloid accumulation, and dementia are discussed.”
Plasmalogen Precursor Supplements
ProdromeNeuro (performance, stimulating, grey matter targeted)
Pertinent markers to consider are:
- Low plasmalogens–1b (12b), 3b (12d) and other DHA phospholipids, directly replenishes DHA- Ethanolamine Plasmalogens (2c, APOE4 risk rectification)
- Low dietary DHA (5d)
- High CRP (10b)
- High Triglycerides (12i)
- Suboptimal cholesterol transport, low HDL (section 13)
ProdromeGlia (focus, calming, restorative, white matter targeted)
Pertinent markers to consider are:
- Low plasmalogens–1b (12b), 3b (12d)
- Low dietary oleic acid, omega 9 (5a)
- Low sphingomyelins (8d)
- Ceramides (8e) > sphingomyelins (8d)
Serving/storage suggestions are:
- 2 softgels (or 1 ml of oil) is the suggested serving with loading doses up to 8 softgels (for 1-3 months).
- ProdromeNeuro is most commonly taken during the day and ProdromeGlia is most commonly taken during the evening, but can be taken anytime especially with white matter related issues.
- Softgels of ProdromeNeuro and ProdromeGlia may be kept at room temperature. ProdromeNeuro Oil is best kept in the refrigerator.
Ancillary supplement considerations are:
- Nutrient dense food based choline/phospholipid sources (egg yolk, lecithin, grass finished meat and organs, fish roe) for depleted phospholipids (sections 1-5, 8, 12).
- Combining isolated supplements (i.e. PC) with food based sources for greater bioavailability when extreme depletion is present (pertinent to sections 1-5, 8, 12).
- Riboflavin for a homeostatic effect on iron levels (section 7) along with ALA, quercetin, and ProdromeGTA for potential chelation of high iron levels.
- Choline and creatine for decreasing demand on the methyltransferase/choline system (section 8) with B6/12 and folate supportive of homocysteine recycling.
- Support of mitochondrial function (section 9) with B1,2,3 along with L-carnitine, NAC, and CoQ10.
- Creatine for low creatinine levels (14a)
- Vitamin C for a homeostatic effect on uric acid (14c) with niacin for low levels and a bicarbonate source for high levels.Document is intended for practitioner resource purposes only.
My notes during the presentation
– we get phosphatidyl from diet – have to make plasmalogens
– like to see phosphatidyl at least 40th percetile – increase with egg yolks, organ meats, lecithins, animal based foods
– ideal plasmalogens >80%
– good quality plasmalogens when 2c > 1b
– “prodrome neuro” replenishes 2c – 2-4 caps/day in the am – will also support choline plasmalogens – it is DHA based so will raise DHA FAs
– “prodrome glia” replenishes white matter – focus, calming, restorative – oleic acid, e.g. olive, avocado – helps with nerve continuity, fusion across synapses – 2-4 caps in the evening
– helps with TBI, stroke, etc
– high AA with low LA is bad = inflammation
– GTAs >25% is good
– ideal HY in 8-10 range
– biggest demand on methylation is synthesis of choline and creatine
– sphingomyelins contain choline and degrade to ceramides – SM leading ceramides is good
– creatine 2-3gms/day can take load of methylation system – lower HY
– mito function – want a reverse staircase on levels – linoleic > arachodonic > adrenic
– if not then acetyl coa is being shunted for FA elongation
– want 12b and 12d to be leading
– want total chol 220-240, HDL 60-90
– ideal TG 60-90
– prodrome neuro optimizes HDL output
– ideal Uric acid 5-6 – low assoc with dementia, NAD deficit
