At YLabs, we aim to give you an unbiased opinion of different brain supplements to determine if they are effective and safe based on our research of information about these supplements on the web.
TL;DR Summary:
While neither Prevagen nor Focus Factor makes it on our year’s list of the best brain supplements, Focus Factor has the edge over its competitor. Focus Factor has far more ingredients than Prevagen, and the ingredients themselves are backed by credible studies. Prevagen only contains two ingredients: the basic vitamin D, and an unproven jellyfish protein (apoaequorin).
In our opinion, with Focus Factor, you may notice a slight improvement in focus and memory. Prevagen, on the other hand, is unlikely to do anything. Keep in mind that Focus Factor is not without flaws. It contains a proprietary blend with hidden ingredient amounts, preventing us from seeing if they are dosed effectivelly.
Focus Factor Vs Prevagen – The Overview
Focus Factor
Focus Factor is a dietary supplement focused on brain health. It works to help you with:
- Memory improvement
- Better concentration & focus
- Overall health support
Focus Factor comes in a tablet version, offering different options with 180, 90, and 60 tablets per container.
There are several different Focus Factor versions available on the market—including Extra Strength, Kids, Original, and Gummies, but today we’ll be focusing on the original one.
The serving size is 4 capsules daily.
Prevagen
Prevagen is a dietary supplement with the focus on specifically improving memory. Some of the potential benefits:
Prevagen comes in a capsule form, with 30 per container, enough to provide you with a one-month supply if you follow the recommended doses.
But, is Prevagen actually worth it? Should you choose it instead of its competitor? The ingredients will give us the answer to those questions.
See for yourself.
Focus Factor Vs Prevagen – The Ingredients
Focus Factor’s Formula
Focus Factor delivers many vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, D, B12, Calcium, Magnesium, etc. All these nutrients are essential for the proper function of your immune system and brain.
Focus Factor also uses 640 mg of a proprietary blend, consisting of different ingredients that can help support brain health. For example, phosphatidylserine is one of them. According to some studies, phosphatidylserine can help improve memory, boost cognition, and support locomotor functions.
Another ingredient in the blend that we like is Bacopa Monnieri. This herb can improve cognitive function to some extent, improve memory, and alleviate stress levels.
However, because of a proprietary blend, Focus Factor disappointed us. We always recommend avoiding supplements that use a proprietary blend because they are potentially hiding important information from us.
A proprietary blend means that you can’t see the dosage of each ingredient inside; you can only see the combined dosage of all the ingredients in the blend.
There are also some key ingredients missing for brain health such as citicoline and Pine Bark Extract, which would potentially increase Focus Factor’s effectiveness.
As for general health, we think Focus Factor is a great option. As we previously mentioned, it uses a variety of different vitamins and minerals that are essential for overall immunity, all of them are of solid quality and provided in optimal doses.
What About Prevagen?
Prevagen, as seen from the label, comes with only 2 ingredients: 50mcg of Vitamin D, and 10mg of Apoaequorin.
Vitamin D is also called the sunshine vitamin. It is necessary to keep your bones, muscles, and teeth healthy. Vitamin D is necessary for human survival, and according to Examine.com, it can be taken to improve mood.
Apoaequorin is the key active ingredient for brain health inside Prevagen’s formula. That is a protein found in jellyfish often used for memory improvement and easier learning. Solid evidence is lacking, though.
Apoaequorin is said to be effective at slightly improving cognitive functions and reducing memory loss, but questions have been raised about the legitimacy of these studies.
Phosphatidylserine, Rhodiola Rosea, Citicoline, L-Theanine, and Lion’s Mane Mushroom are just some of the ingredients that are missing from Prevagen’s formula. We don’t think Prevagen will provide significant improvement in cognition and memory long-term.
Our Commentary on Focus Factor VS Prevagen’s Ingredients
Should you choose Prevagen or Focus Factor? If we had to choose between these two, we’d go with Focus Factor because it has more nutrients than Prevagen.
However, due to a proprietary blend and a lack of some ingredients in the formula, we don’t rate Focus Factor as one of the best nootropics on the market.
Prevagen fares even worse. Some people label it as a “scam,” and they have a point, because this product charges a lot and delivers only two ingredients, one of which doesn’t even have any credible evidence behind ti.
Focus Factor Vs Prevagen – Side Effects
Side effects with Prevagen are unlikely if you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The ingredients aren’t known to produce negative reactions in most people.
As for Focus Factor, most of the key ingredients are contained in a proprietary blend, leaving us with no information on the dosage safety. With that said, the entire proprietary blend is just above 600 mg, cutting the risk down.
Cost & Where to Buy?
Focus Factor Original is available on the official website for the price of $24.99 for 180 tablets, or $13.49 for 60 tablets. You can also find it at retailers such as Costco—make sure to shop around for the best deals. It is relatively affordable considering the 45 servings we get.
Prevagen Regular Strength is available in Walmart for $41.92 for a one-month supply. Prices can vary depending on where you look at.
Conclusion
Prevagen and Focus Factor are both letdowns. One is missing far too many of the core ingredients while using ineffective ones, while the other hides ingredient dosages in a proprietary blend, potentially containing a bunch of under-dosed ingredients on the label.
While Focus Factor is our favourite between the two for improving memory, focus, and cognitive health, it doesn’t keep up with other supplements we recommend.
You may find our nootropic analysis archives helpful for discovering other supplements we’ve reviewed.
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