Healthy living
Medicines and supplements
Supplement your golf swing
If you're feeling under par you could boost your golf game with a simple dietary supplement, according to a study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
Scientists from the University of Paderborn in Germany found that golf players who took the supplement phosphatidylserine significantly improved their performance on the green.
Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a nutrient found in fish, green leafy vegetables, soybeans and rice and is also widely available in supplement form. It is a type of fat called a phospholipid, these constitute the basis of all cell membranes and PS is found primarily in brain cells. PS is thought to play an important role in concentration and coordination and also helps the body recover from stress.
The German scientists carried out a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled study involving 20 healthy golfers with a handicap between 15 and 40. The volunteers were asked to tee-off 20 times aiming at a green 135 metres away and the quality of the ball flight was recorded. The golfers were also evaluated for levels of perceived stress. For 42 days afterwards, the subjects were given either 200 mg of the supplement, in the form of a nutritional bar, or a placebo substitute. At the end of the study the quality of ball flight and stress levels were measured again.
The team found that after the six weeks the golfers who had taken the phosphatidylserine supplement had a significantly improved number of good ball flights during the tee-off. There was also a slight improvement in levels of perceived stress but this was not considered statistically significant.
The scientists believe that the supplement may have helped dampen the stress response of the golfers allowing them to perform better. However they say that more research is needed to pinpoint the way the supplement works.
‘It would be good to see more research into the potential benefits of this nutrient, both in the diet, and taken as a supplement,’ says Carina Norris, registered nutritionist. ‘Once we could get to the root of how it actually works in the body, not only could it benefit people’s golf swing, it could also help people with medical conditions that affect their concentration and co-ordination, perhaps even disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s.’
There are no known drug interactions with phosphatidylserine, however if you are taking medication or have any medical conditions it is always wise to check with your doctor before taking any supplement.
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Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.
