Prevagen and Neuriva are two top-selling brain supplements, claiming to support everything from clearer thinking to better memory.
Below we compare the two and cover some key questions people tend to have, such as how often do you take Prevagen vs. Neuriva?
What Is Prevagen?
Prevagen is a supplement from Quincy Bioscience. The company claims taking Prevagen can support brain health and minimize memory loss related to normal aging. The supplement contains two key ingredients—apoaequorin and vitamin D3.
Apoaequorin is a protein, originally found in a jellyfish. The protein is similar to one naturally occurring in our bodies called calmodulin. That protein regulates calcium levels. Apoaequorin is similarly thought to bind to calcium, potentially bringing levels in the brain down. High and dysregulated brain calcium levels are thought to play a role in memory loss.
There is limited research looking at the effectiveness of apoaequorin for memory loss. The one main study cited by the manufacturing company is something they conducted themselves.
So how often do you take Prevagen?
You take Prevagen once a day, according to the manufacturers. Most people opt to take it in the morning around breakfast time, but you don’t have to. You can take it whenever is easiest for you. You can take Prevagen with or without food.
What is Neuriva?
Neuriva is a line of brain health supplements manufactured by Schiff Vitamins. According to the company, Neuriva can support five elements of brain health: focus, learning, accuracy, memory, and concentration.
There are two key ingredients in Nueriva. The first is coffee cherry extract, and the second is phosphatidylserine.
Coffee cherry extract comes from coffee bean fruit and is caffeine-free. Phosphatidylserine is found in cell membranes and plays a role in cellular communication and cell death.
Neuriva is supposed to work by improving brain neuron health, increasing memory, and improving learning ability. The company says the supplement can do these things by increasing levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor or BDNF.
BDNF is a protein playing a role in communication between brain cells.
When someone has low levels of BDNF, it’s linked to decreased brain performance and impairment in learning.
Several randomized trials show coffee cherry extract supplements can increase BDNF.
How often do you take Neuriva? According to the instructions, you should take one capsule daily, around bedtime.
Neuriva comes in a gummy as well as a capsule, and there’s a Plus formula with added B vitamins and De-Stress formula with L-theanine.
Comparing the Benefits
Prevagen claims to help support optimal healthy brain function by reducing or reversing aging-related memory loss. There are limited research studies that show the benefits, however. The manufacturing company did the study used in the advertising for Prevagen and only looked at the results in just over 200 participants.
The study also only ran for 90 days, and the assessments researchers used to determine the benefits on memory have been called into question.
Neuriva, on the other hand, is backed up by a lot more research on the key active ingredients. There is a reasonable amount of evidence showing Neuriva can increase levels of BDNF, potentially improving memory, attention, and response time.
Safety Comparison
Both Neuriva and Prevagen are thought to be well-tolerated by most people.
Neuriva, primarily because of its phosphatidylserine, may cause nausea or upset stomach, so some people should take it with food.
Apoaequorin, which is Prevagen’s primary ingredient, hasn’t been largely studied for safety, but there aren’t any major known side effects now.
How Do the Prices Compare?
Both Prevagen and Neuriva are relatively expensive supplements, although when you look at the cost per serving, Nueriva is a bit more affordable.
The Verdict
Both Prevagen and Neuriva have faced controversy. For example, there was a class-action lawsuit against Neuriva, which claimed there was a lack of evidence to support some of the marketing claims used for the product.
The FDA and the Federal Trade Commission have also investigated and subsequently charged the company making Prevagen for violating what can be claimed by law for a dietary supplement.
Because there’s more research behind it, Neuriva might be the better supplement than Prevagen, although both could be limited in their potential benefits.
