You’ve probably never heard of plasmalogens, but they may just be one of the most important molecules in your body. Recent research is revealing their critical roles in brain health, nerve function, longevity, inflammation, cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, immune regulation, and more.
The human body is composed of trillions of cells, each functioning as the fundamental building block of our tissues and organs—much like bricks in the structure of a house. Each cell is enclosed by a membrane that regulates the transport of nutrients, signalling molecules, and waste products. This selectively permeable membrane is composed primarily of lipids, cholesterol, and proteins. Among the key lipid components are plasmalogens—a unique class of phospholipids essential for maintaining membrane integrity, fluidity, and cellular resilience.
With advancing age, peroxisomal function—responsible for the biosynthesis of plasmalogens—declines. As these intracellular organelles lose efficiency, endogenous plasmalogen production diminishes, leading to progressively lower tissue levels. This decline occurs at a time when cellular resilience and antioxidant capacity are increasingly critical, particularly in tissues with high metabolic demand such as the brain, heart, and retina. This age-related reduction in plasmalogens is now recognised as a contributing factor in the pathophysiology of various chronic and neurodegenerative diseases.

What Do Plasmalogens Actually Do?
Plasmalogens have a special molecular structure—specifically, a vinyl ether bond—that makes them:

• Powerful antioxidants, protecting cells from free radical damage
• Key to maintaining the fluidity and resilience of cell membranes
• Vital for neurotransmitter release, particularly acetylcholine, which is essential for memory
• Essential building blocks for white and grey matter in the brain
• Supportive in modulating inflammation, particularly by calming microglia in the brain
• They’re found in high concentrations in the brain, heart, liver, kidneys, and eyes.

What Happens When We Lose Plasmalogens?
Low levels of plasmalogens are linked to:

• Alzheimer’s dementia and cognitive decline
• Multiple sclerosis (MS) and other demyelinating diseases
• Cardiovascular disease, due to reduced regulation of cholesterol and inflammation
• Fatty liver disease
• Autism spectrum disorders, where specific plasmalogen imbalances are observed
• Emerging research indicates that plasmalogen levels serve as a predictive biomarker for cognitive decline, with the ability to forecast dementia risk up to three years in advance. Importantly, this association is not merely correlative; growing evidence supports a causative role for plasmalogen deficiency in the onset and progression of neurodegenerative conditions, particularly Alzheimer’s disease.

The Research: What the Science Is Telling Us
A landmark study (Goodenowe & Senanayake, 2019) (1) showed that increasing plasmalogen levels could reduce Alzheimer’s risk by up to 75%—particularly in those with the high-risk APOE4 gene variant.
In animal studies:

• Mice given plasmalogens before exposure to the MS-inducing chemical cuprizone were protected from damage to white matter
• Mice exposed to MPTP (a chemical that models Parkinson’s disease) had signifi cantly better recovery when plasmalogens were administered
• Plaque in arteries was reduced by 70%, not just cholesterol in the blood
• Fatty liver was reversed in models by boosting plasmalogen levels

And in a small human trial with people with diagnosed Alzheimer’s:

• 40% showed improved cognition
• 54% improved mobility
• No adverse events were reported

In a recent study (2) scientists explored how Plasmalogens Protect the Brain from MSG.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is one of the most widely used food additives—and it’s also known for potentially harming the brain. A recent study looked at how MSG affects the hippocampus, the part of the brain that plays a key role in memory, and whether a special type of fat called plasmalogens could help protect against that damage.

Researchers gave male rats either MSG, plasmalogens, both, or neither over a period of 28 days. They then measured changes in brain chemicals, blood sugar, insulin, cholesterol, and markers of infl ammation and oxidative stress.
The results were promising. Plasmalogens helped reduce infl ammation and stress in the brain, balanced blood sugar and fat levels, and protected brain cells from damage. They also helped regulate two important signaling pathways in the brain—NF-κB and p38 MAPK—that are linked to inflammation and cell survival.

Why You Can’t Just Eat Them
Plasmalogens cannot be effectively replenished through diet alone. These lipids function as sacrificial antioxidants and are rapidly degraded in the gastrointestinal tract. While shark liver oil
contains relatively high levels of plasmalogens, it is neither a practical nor sustainable option. Consequently, research has turned toward precursor-based supplementation—compounds that bypass digestive breakdown and are converted by the liver into functional plasmalogens. These include specific choline derivatives designed to elevate circulating and tissue levels efficiently.

• It’s also critical to distinguish between DHA intake and plasmalogen function. While DHA (from fish oil) is widely consumed for brain health, its efficacy lies in its conversion into DHA-based plasmalogens—the biologically active form that supports synaptic function and neuroprotection. Simply increasing DHA intake is insufficient if plasmalogen synthesis is impaired. Experimental models confirm that absence of the plasmalogen backbone disrupts acetylcholine release, regardless of DHA availability, leading to deficits in memory and cognitive function.
  Furthermore, emerging data from autism research suggests a need for precision in plasmalogen therapy. Children on the spectrum often present with elevated DHA plasmalogens but low omega-9 plasmalogens, underscoring the importance of personalised supplementation strategies. This aligns with the broader movement toward personalised medicine, where functional lipid profiling and targeted interventions are shaping the future of plasmalogen-based therapeutics.

Fast-Loading Strategy: Why Dose Matters
From real-world clinical experience and monthly global webinars with doctors, a clear pattern has emerged:

• You need to reach a critical mass of plasmalogens in the body before seeing benefits
• The faster you load the supplement, the faster improvements in memory, mobility, and infl ammation appear
• After reaching optimal levels, you can shift to a maintenance dose

Plasmalogens and the Future of Chronic Disease Treatment
We’re now seeing studies on plasmalogens for:

• Cancer prevention and recovery
• Immune system modulation
• Autism and developmental disorders
• Liver health
• Neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s

The Baker Institute in Australia (3&4) has used plasmalogen supplementation to:

• Reverse fatty liver
• Lower arterial plaque by 70%
• Suggest that even high genetic risk of Alzheimer’s can be dramatically lowered with the right approach

Whether you’re trying to protect your brain, regulate your cholesterol, or reduce your inflammation, plasmalogens are emerging as a cornerstone of longevity.

How do I learn more?
To view more on Plasmalogens CLICK HERE
To learn about supplementing with Plasmalogens CLICK HERE

References:
1. Senanayake V, Goodenowe DB. Plasmalogen deficiency and neuropathology in Alzheimer’s disease: Causation or coincidence? Alzheimers Dement (N Y). 2019 Oct 4;5:524-532. doi:10.1016/j.trci.2019.08.003. PMID: 31650009; PMCID: PMC6804645.Bio
2. Abdou HM, Hamaad FA, Elmageed GMA, Katano H, Ghoneum MH. Efficacy of Plasmalogens on Monosodium Glutamate-Induced Neurotoxicity in Male Rats Through NF-κB and p38MAPK Signaling Pathways. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2025 Apr 4;2025:3673280. doi:10.1155/omcl/3673280. PMID: 40225414; PMCID: PMC11991862.
3. Belkin TG, Masterman EI, Yildiz GS, Kiriazis H, Mellett NA, Cross J, Grigolon K, Dogra A, Donner D, Chooi R, Liang A, Kompa AR, Sadoshima J, Edgley AJ, Greening DW, Meikle PJ, Tham YK, McMullen JR. An optimized plasmalogen modulating dietary supplement provides greater protection in a male than female mouse model of dilated cardiomyopathy. J Mol Cell Cardiol Plus. 2024 Dec 4;11:100273. doi: 10.1016/j.jmccpl.2024.100273. PMID: 39802264; PMCID:
PMC11708127.
4. Baker Institute, Melbourne, Australia www.baker.edu.au
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