AARP's Official Position on Prevagen and Brain Health Supplements
AARP's position on Prevagen is part of its broader view on brain health supplements. The Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH), founded by AARP, examined dietary supplements for brain health in a 2019 report. This council, made up of leading experts, found no strong evidence that daily dietary supplements improve brain health in healthy older adults. AARP has described such supplements as a "huge waste of money". This view extends to Prevagen, as its active ingredient, apoaequorin, lacks proven effectiveness for memory or cognitive function.
AARP's Involvement in Legal Action Against Prevagen
Beyond simply advising against these supplements, AARP has actively opposed Prevagen. In 2018, AARP supported a federal lawsuit against Quincy Bioscience, Prevagen's maker, for false advertising, arguing the company was "deceiving millions of aging Americans" with unproven claims. This highlights AARP's focus on protecting older adults from misleading marketing. Further legal action followed, with a New York jury finding no reliable scientific evidence for Prevagen's memory claims. A 2024 injunction, resulting from a case with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the New York Attorney General, prohibited Quincy Bioscience from claiming Prevagen improves memory or cognition. This legal history reinforces AARP's stance that Prevagen's claims are misleading.
Comparison: Prevagen's Claims vs. AARP-Endorsed Strategies
| Aspect | Prevagen's Manufacturer Claims (Pre-2024 Injunction) | AARP's Official Position & Advice |
|---|---|---|
| Effectiveness | "Clinically shown" to improve memory within 90 days. | No convincing evidence that daily supplements like Prevagen work for brain health. |
| Regulation | Claims imply safety and efficacy based on studies. | Supplements are not regulated by the FDA in the same way as drugs, so effectiveness and content are not guaranteed. |
| Brain Health Strategy | Uses apoaequorin, a synthetic protein originally from jellyfish, to improve memory. | Recommends a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and social/mental stimulation for better brain health. |
| Cost | Costs upwards of $40 per bottle for a monthly supply. | Believes supplements are a "huge waste of money" for maintaining or boosting brain health. |
Why AARP Rejects Prevagen
AARP rejects Prevagen primarily due to a lack of scientific evidence and concerns about consumer protection. Research from the GCBH, an AARP-founded group, found no scientific basis for brain health supplements benefiting healthy older adults. AARP also views Prevagen's marketing as targeting older adults concerned about cognitive decline. By supporting legal challenges, AARP works to protect consumers from deceptive advertising. AARP advocates for proven, evidence-based approaches to brain health, such as exercise, healthy eating, and social interaction, which are supported by scientific evidence.
Scientific Scrutiny of Apoaequorin
The effectiveness of Prevagen's active ingredient, apoaequorin, is highly questioned by the scientific community. As a protein, it is likely broken down in the stomach before it could reach the brain. Furthermore, the company's own study used to back its claims was found to be flawed, showing no significant difference between Prevagen and a placebo. The FTC's lawsuit and the subsequent jury decision confirmed that the "clinically proven" claims were unsupported.
Conclusion
In conclusion, AARP does not recommend Prevagen, based on research from the Global Council on Brain Health indicating a lack of credible evidence for its effectiveness. AARP has also actively challenged Prevagen's marketing claims in court, calling them misleading. Instead of unproven supplements, AARP and the GCBH recommend focusing on evidence-based lifestyle strategies like healthy eating, exercise, and mental stimulation for cognitive health.
Lifestyle Changes vs. Supplements for Brain Health
AARP's emphasis on lifestyle changes over supplements is well-supported by research.
Lifestyle Changes for Brain Health:
- Healthy Diet: Diets like the Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains, are linked to better brain health.
- Regular Exercise: Physical activity can lower the risk of cognitive decline.
- Mental Stimulation: Engaging in challenging mental activities helps maintain brain function.
- Adequate Sleep: 7-8 hours of sleep per night is associated with better brain function.
- Social Engagement: Maintaining social connections benefits cognitive health.
Risks of Relying on Unproven Supplements:
- Waste of Money: Prevagen is expensive and considered a poor investment by AARP-backed research.
- False Hope: Using unproven supplements may lead individuals to ignore effective, evidence-based methods for brain health.
- Lack of Regulation: Supplements are not regulated by the FDA as strictly as medications, meaning claims and contents may not be reliable.
For dependable health information, AARP offers resources like its Staying Sharp program.
