What is Prevagen?

Prevagen is a brand of over-the-counter vitamins that come in the form of oral capsules or chewable tablets that are taken once a day. Prevagen, according to the manufacturer’s website, can help those with “normal cognitive aging or very minimal impairment” enhance their cognition.

The company’s flagship product is this supplement. It’s said to help with mild memory loss and cognitive function.

The active ingredient of Prevagen is Apoaequorin. The product is available in different strengths. The ordinary or regular strength comprises 10 mg, and the extra strength contains 20 mg of the active component. Prevagen Professional has 40 mg of apoaequorin.

Fast Facts

Prevagen

Best For: Men and Women
Uses: Improves cognitive functioning, memory, and sleep quality
Active Ingredient: Apoaequorin
Price: $40 – $179
About The Brand: Prevagen supplements aim to improve mild memory loss associated with aging. They have line of OTC memory loss supplements.

The Company Behind Prevagen

Quincy Bioscience introduced the supplement Prevagen as a memory support product in 2007. Support for healthy brain function, better brain health, and clarity are all claims made for this product.

Quincy Bioscience is a biotechnology firm that focuses on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel technologies to support brain health care and other common health issues linked with cognitive aging.

Prevagen
Prevagen. Image/Dermspotlight

How Does Prevagen Work?

The active ingredient in this product is what makes it work. Prevagen supplement contains Apoaequorin, a protein found in jellyfish but also synthesized, according to the manufacturer.

Apoaequorin is a “calcium-binding protein.” A study linked calcium to memory and brain health. Calcium imbalances in brain nerve cells called neurons may contribute to the aging, destruction, and disruption of impulses between them.

This protein, they claim, preserves brain cells by binding to excess calcium in the human brain, which may otherwise damage them.

Prevagen is available in three strengths: 10, 20, and 40 milligrams of Apoaequorin, respectively. According to the manufacturer’s website, the supplement is primarily intended for healthy people who do not have dementia and is not intended to treat, prevent, or cure any condition.

Prevagen promotes healthy brain function, a sharper mind, clearer thinking, and improved memory, according to the manufacturer. There is, however, little evidence that Apoaequorin enters the brain and binds to excess calcium to prevent memory loss.

Features 10, 20, and 40 milligrams of Apoaequorin
Form Pills and chewable
Benefits Improves cognitive performance, memory functioning, and sleep quality
Ingredients Apoaequorin
Type Dietary supplement

What Ingredients are in Prevagen?

Apoaequorin

Apoaequorin is a protein that is gotten from a glowing jellyfish.

Apoaequorin has a structure comparable to that of the calcium-binding proteins in humans. As a result, some researchers believe that Apoaequorin may aid calcium management in the human brain, hence reducing memory loss and mental decline. In the brain, Apoaequorin binds to calcium and promotes nerve cell communication. However, there is only a smattering of evidence to back up these claims.

Vitamin D

When we are exposed to sunlight, our bodies produce vitamin D. While some research suggests that taking vitamin D supplements can help prevent a variety of chronic diseases, none of the studies are clear.

Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with depression, mental decline, and Alzheimer’s disease. Vitamin D is an antioxidant that protects the brain from mental deterioration and activates proteins necessary for nerve cell activity.

How Does Prevagen Rate?

Feature Rating Comment
Performance 6/10 Prevagen claims that with the aid of Apoaequorin, Prevagen improves mild memory loss.
Safety 6/10 Users may experience side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, headaches, constipation, lack of focus, etc.
Use 10/10 Primarily suitable for men and women

Pros and Cons of Prevagen

Pros

  1. The product is easily accessible
  2. It could help with memory loss and cognitive functioning.
  3. The supplement supports better sleep.
  4. The manufacturer offers a money-back guarantee.

Cons

  1. There have been a number of serious Prevagen side effects associated with its use.
  2. There is no peer-reviewed research.
  3. The product is expensive.
  4. The company is facing various lawsuits
  5. Some users claim it doesn’t live up to its claims.
  6. The product has received several FDA warnings.
  7. Advertisements for the company’s product have been accused of deceiving the public.

Prevagen Side Effects

Prevagen is said to be safe to use by the manufacturer. On the other hand, the FDA has received complaints of chest discomfort, heart arrhythmias, seizures, strokes, syncope, worsening multiple sclerosis symptoms, tremors, and vertigo.

Various side effects reported by users include,

  • Severe constipation
  • Headaches
  • Short-term memory deterioration
  • Painful leg muscles
  • A lack of concentration
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea

If you are worried about the side effects, you should consult with your doctor before starting Prevagen.

How much does Prevagen cost?

  • Prevagen Regular Strength (30 capsules): $39.95
  • Prevagen Chewables (30 capsules): $39.95
  • Prevagen Extra Strength (30 capsules): $59.95
  • Prevagen Extra Strength (60 capsules): $109.95

Where to Buy Prevagen?

Prevagen is sold at CVS, Lucky Vitamin, Walmart, Walgreens, Kroger, among other places, and at local and online retail stores.

Prevagen Alternatives

Brand Cost Range Ingredients
Vitamin Energy $24.95 Vitamin B3, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Vitamin B6
Onnit Alpha Brain $34.95 L-theanine, L-Tyrosine, Oat Straw Extract, Huperzia Serrata, Bacopa Monnieri
Primal Mind Fuel $29.95 theobromine, Rhodiola rosea extract, Bacopa monnieri extract, D-glucuronolactone, and Huperzine A

Is Prevagen Any Good?

Prevagen has various flaws, despite some favorable reviews; the manufacturers make promises that are not supported by the study.

Prevagen has been clinically proved to aid modest impairment of brain function, including memory issues, according to the website. They claimed it helped with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease at first; however, the FTC refuted these claims.

Prevagen FAQ

Q: Does the company offer a money-back guarantee?

A: A 45-day money-back guarantee is included with Prevagen.

Q: Where is Apoaequorin Gotten From?

A: Apoaequorin is an ingredient discovered in glowing jellyfish.

Q: Where Do I Buy Prevagen?

A: You can purchase Prevagen from their official website. You can also buy the supplement from any retail or pharmaceutical store near you. You can also get it from online retail stores like Amazon, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and more.

Q: Does Prevagen Have Side Effects?

A: Here are some side effects linked with the use of Prevagen. These include

  • Severe constipation
  • Headaches
  • Loss of focus
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea

Q: Should I Buy Prevagen?

A: Before you use this supplement, you can consult with your doctor.

The bottom line

Prevagen is a nutritional supplement that claims to aid in the treatment of minor memory loss. However, the proof for its claims is dubious, and there are questions about our bodies’ ability to absorb its unique constituent, Apoaequorin.

Before trying Prevagen on your own, talk to your doctor about any memory concerns you have and whether the supplement is right for you.

3 sources

We review published medical research in respected scientific journals to arrive at our conclusions about a product or health topic. This ensures the highest standard of scientific accuracy.

[1] Apoaequorin https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK552157/
[2] Vitamin D: The “sunshine” vitamin https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3356951/
[3] Apoaequorin for memory enhancement? https://www.pharmacytoday.org/article/S1042-0991(15)30157-2/fulltext