← All supplements
Limited evidenceBrain & cognition

Plasmalogens

A class of brain phospholipids depleted in Alzheimer's disease and sold as scallop- or chicken-derived supplements. One randomized trial found benefit only in subgroups, and independent replication is missing.

Where to buy

View on iHerb

Ships to 180+ countries · welcome discount for new customers

Referral link — this site may earn a commission on purchases.

What the science says

  • Subgroup benefit in one randomized trial Limited evidence

    A multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment found no overall cognitive advantage, with improvement limited to pre-specified subgroups such as younger MCI participants. Blood plasmalogen levels did rise on treatment.

  • Open-label data in cognitive impairment Limited evidence

    An uncontrolled supplementation study in cognitively impaired adults reported increased blood plasmalogens alongside some cognitive and mobility measures. Without a placebo group these results cannot be separated from practice effects and expectation.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseThe randomized trial used 1 mg per day of purified plasmalogens for 24 weeks. Commercial products vary widely in content and purity.
SafetyNo serious adverse effects reported in the small trials to date, but safety data are thin. Marine-derived plasmalogens are a concern for people with shellfish allergy. No data in pregnancy or in children.

How to take it

TimingTiming does not matter.
With food?Take it with a meal containing fat — plasmalogens are lipids and absorb better that way.
Worth knowingContent and purity vary enormously between products, so check that the label states an actual plasmalogen quantity rather than a total oil weight.

Frequently asked questions

Do plasmalogen supplements help with Alzheimer's or memory?

Plasmalogen supplements have limited evidence: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in mild Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment found no overall cognitive advantage, only improvement in pre-specified subgroups such as younger MCI participants. Independent replication is missing.

How much plasmalogen should I take per day?

The randomized trial of plasmalogens used 1 mg per day of purified plasmalogens for 24 weeks, taken without regard to timing. Commercial products vary widely in content and purity, so look for a label stating an actual plasmalogen quantity rather than a total oil weight.

Should I take plasmalogens with food?

Take plasmalogens with a meal containing fat, because they are lipids and absorb better that way. Timing of day does not matter.

Are plasmalogen supplements safe?

No serious adverse effects have been reported with plasmalogens in the small trials so far, but safety data are thin. Scallop- and other marine-derived plasmalogens are a concern if you have a shellfish allergy, and there are no data in pregnancy or in children.

Scientific references

Related in Brain & cognition