L-Serine & D-Serine: Health Benefits and Safety

Answer:

Serine is an amino acid that the body can produce either as L-serine or, to a lesser extent, D-serine. Since the body can produce these, serine is considered non-essential from the diet; however, both forms are sold as supplements, work differently in the body, have different safety profiles, and dosage is typically larger with L-serine than D-serine.

Although both L- and D-serine have been evaluated to aid cognitive function, L-serine works by releasing proteins that enhance blood flow in the brain, reduce inflammation, and support regeneration of myelin — a layer around nerves that allows electrical impulses to transmit quickly and efficiently. It has been tried in trials to treat aspects of Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and hereditary sensory neuropathy type I (HSN1). On the other hand, D-serine can increase activity at NMDA receptors in the brain, which plays a role in mediating learning and memory, as well as neurotransmission, and it has been studied in treating schizophrenia, as people with that disease may have declining NMDA receptor activity. It has also been studied in treating Parkinson's disease.

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