- Formula re: Type
- Description
Vayarin is an orally administered prescription medical food for the clinical dietary management of certain lipid imbalances associated with ADHD in children.
- General Statements: All Other Content
- Chemical structure
Schematic structure of one of the most abundant molecules present in Vayarin.
- Formula re: Contains
- Vayarin capsules contain shellfish (krill).
May contain soy and fish.
- Precautions re: Allergies
- Vayarin capsules contain shellfish (krill).
May contain soy and fish.
- Formulation re: Does NOT Contain
- Vayarin capsules do not contain sugar, lactose, yeast or gluten.
- Formula re: Contains
- Pharmacology
Vayarin is composed of Lipirinen, a proprietary composition containing phosphatidylserine-omega-3, EPA enriched.
- Formula re: Contains
- Mechanism of action
Omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) have an important role in brain and central nervous system development and functioning [1-4]. Decreased omega-3 fatty acids levels, mainly DHA and EPA, are associated with the occurrence of psychiatric, neurodegenerative, and other neurodevelopmental disorders such as dyspraxia, dyslexia, autism [3], peroxisolmal disorders [5], Alzheimer's disease [6], and ADHD [3]. Administration of phosphatidylserine (PS) enriched with omega-3 fatty acids was found to significantly increase DHA level in rat brains [7].
While the extract mechanism by which Vayarin exerts its effects is not fully understood, PS present in the mammalian nervous system, which is characterized by its substantial levels of omega-3 fatty acids, has been implicated in numerous membrane related functions, such as maintaining the integrity of cell membranes, cell excitability, cell-to-cell recognition and communication [8]. PS has been found to regulate key proteins in neuronal membranes, including sodium/calcium ATPase [9] and protein kinase C [10] which undertake crucial functions in diverse signal transduction pathways. Similarly, PS interacts with Raf-1 protein kinase to promote a cascade of reactions that are believed to be involved in cell survival [11]. Additionally, PS has been found to influence neurotransmitters activity, such as the release of acetylcholine, dopamine and noradrenaline [12, 13] and to increase brain glucose levels.
Absorption an metabolism
Following dietary ingestion of phospholipids, pancreatic digestive enzymes cleave specific fatty acids, leading to the formation of lysophospholipids that are absorbed by the mucosal cells of the intestine and could be reacylated into phospholipids [14]. The fatty acids released can be further used for triglyceride synthesis. Because of the high activity of decarboxylases in the mucosal cells, the majority of the PS in converted into other phospholipids, primarily to phosphatidylethanolamine [15]. The reacylated PS, phosphatidylethanolamine and other phospholipids enter the lymph and circulation, and are redistributed.
Drug interactions
PS can potentially interact with some anticholinergic and cholinergic medications. It is recommended to consult with a physician about Vayarin interactions that may apply to specific medical conditions.