From the Research
Phosphatidic acid (PA) does not appear to have a significant impact on anabolic growth and muscle repair when used as a supplement, as the current evidence is equivocal and does not consistently support its effectiveness. The most recent and highest quality study, published in 2022 1, found that the evidence does not support the supplementation with PA to increase performance or improve body composition in young or elderly men. Some studies have suggested that PA may increase muscle protein synthesis via stimulation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, but the results are inconsistent and often conflicting 2, 3, 4. For example, a study published in 2017 found that PA supplementation did not have a differential effect compared with placebo on changes in muscle thickness or 1RM strength in resistance-trained men 4. Similarly, a study published in 2016 found that the addition of MaxxTOR, a supplement that contains PA, to a resistance training program can positively impact lean body mass and strength, but the results may be due to the other ingredients in the supplement rather than PA itself 2. Overall, the current evidence does not support the use of PA as an effective supplement for anabolic growth and muscle repair, and more research is needed to fully understand its effects. Key points to consider when evaluating the effectiveness of PA supplementation include:
- The inconsistent results across studies
- The potential for other ingredients in supplements to contribute to observed effects
- The importance of proper resistance training and adequate protein intake for muscle growth and repair
- The need for further research to fully understand the effects of PA supplementation on anabolic growth and muscle repair.