So, of course, we waited until the day after to see whether the sale was still going on, which it wasn’t – so well done, Puritan’s Pride.
The flashing banner on the web page selling Puritan’s Pride Neuro-PS 300 mg had actually changed to ‘Buy 1, Get 2 Free’ but it still ended up opening a whole surprising can of Puritan’s Pride worms which we hadn’t been expecting.
The main ingredient is phosphatidylserine, a substance that occurs naturally in brain cell membranes, but in lower and lower amounts as a person ages.
Puritan’s Pride market Neuro-PS as a supplement to aid brain function, but phosphatidylserine is also important for bone matrix formation, adrenal gland secretion, cell repair and removal by the immune system as well as proper function of the testicles.
If you have issues with soy, though, you might want to know that Puritan’s Pride get their phosphatidylserine from soy lecithin.
However, there’s a bit of text on the website telling us how important it is to use phosphatidylserine – followed immediately by ‘very limited and preliminary scientific research suggests that PS may reduce the risk of cognitive dysfunction in the elderly. FDA concludes that there is little scientific evidence supporting this claim.’
And that honesty – at first – impressed us. For a while, anyway.
Neuro-PS contains 300 mg of phosphatidylserine. Anything over that amount can cause side effects which include stomach upset and insomnia.
Here’s where things start getting complicated: last we looked you could either buy 1 bottle (a 60-day supply) and get 2 free for $91.99 … or buy 2 and get 4 free for $183.98.
And this is where the can of Puritan worms opened up and why the company is now facing a class action – but more on that later.
It’s a shame about that class action, since we originally liked the company because they were very upfront about the FDA’s conclusion that there was little scientific evidence supporting their claims about phosphatidylserine.
But then we went through the FDA’s website for some more detail on this, and unless we’re very much mistaken, the letter we found with instructions for putting that ‘Very limited and preliminary scientific research suggests’ disclaimer was dated May 13, 2003.
Since then, according to Examine.com, there have been at least 18 studies regarding how well phosphatidylserine works for cognitive function, and although the conclusions point to slight improvements in that respect, Puritan’s Pride still have that disclaimer in full view on their website.
So we’re not really too sure what to think: do we wait until the FDA recognise at least some of those 18 studies and that disclaimer notice disappears before giving our verdict?
On the basis that those 18 studies only indicate slight improvements at best, we think we’ll take the opportunity now to reject Neuro-PS – at least, for the time being. If something makes us change our mind about it, we’ll be sure to let you know.
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Phosphatidylserine, Neuro-PS’s main ingredient is derived from soy lecithin, and is used not just for age-related cognitive decline but also for Alzheimer’s, ADHD and depression.
Studies have shown that even though improvements for these conditions are only slight to moderate, phosphatidylserine does have a noticeable effect on improving athletic performance.
From the website, quote: For adults, take one (1) softgel daily, preferably with a meal.
Neuro-PS contains phosphatidylserine in different potencies: you can choose from 100 mg, 200 mg or 300 mg softgels. Test subjects have taken phosphatidylserine for periods of up to three months with no adverse effect, but dosages over 300 mg/day have been found to produce side effects which are minor, but still annoying, as opposed to being detrimental to the user’s health.
From the website, Neuro-PS, quote:
Aids Brain Function**
Supports a Healthy Mind**
Helps Replenish PS levels**
PS being short for Phosphatidylserine, which is so much better than typing it over and over again.
According to those 18 studies, the answer could well be ‘no, not really’. Phosphatidylserine does have some positive effects on adults as well as children with ADHD, but it seems the biggest and best improvement noted in people taking phosphatidylserine is their anaerobic running capacity.
Let’s start with what Neuro-PS doesn’t contain: there is no artificial flavour or sweetener, no preservatives, no sugar, no starch, no lactose, no gluten, no wheat, no yeast, no fish and no sodium.
So that leaves us with: soya bean oil, gelatin, vegetable glycerine, soy lecithin, natural caramel colour and titanium dioxide colour.
And then there’s 432 mg of Neuro-PS® – that’s Phospholipid complex from soy lecithin, standardised to contain Phosphatidylserine, 300 mg
IN larger doses than the 300 mg in each softgel, phosphatidylserine can bring on insomnia and upset stomach. As for long-term use, in studies it’s been used for up to six months – just a little bit longer than how long a ‘Buy 1 Get 2 Free’ promotion purchase would last you.
Caution:
From the website, quote: ‘WARNING: If you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medications or have any medical condition, consult your doctor before use. Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur. Keep out of reach of children. Store at room temperature. Do not use if seal under cap is broken or missing.’
Most of the reviews on the Neuro-PS site are, unsurprisingly, positive – although one reviewer likes it because he’s taking twice the recommended dosage, as in, quote:
At almost 65 years I occasionally can’t remember a name or get on my computer intent on doing something in particular but get distracted and sometimes don’t get right to what I intended. With 2 of these a day, I don’t have that frustrating problem.
Another review there leaves us wondering just how long it takes to notice the effects, because, quote:
I took this for about half year. Recently my memory becomes good. I mean easy to remember the person’s name, etc. So, I think I will continue take this.
Recently?
On another review site, one theme that ran through a lot of not-so-positive reviews was the issue of deliveries – arriving later than expected or even not at all.
To their credit, Puritan’s Pride did respond to some of those reviews, but they left the ones on Amazon alone. Well, how could they reply to something like this one we found there, quote:
I have not found any product that will ease the pains of growing older; this product was no different from anything I have tried, not worth the money spent to purchase.
This is possibly one of the best money-back guarantees we’ve seen in a long time: you get a whole year to try out their products, and if you don’t like them, send the rest of your order back, no matter how much is left.
You can buy Neuro-PS from its website, from Amazon and through members of the Puritan’s Pride affiliate program.
Nootropic Watchdog rejects Neuro-PS.
Containing ingredients that have been clinically tested and boasting a 30-day money-back guarantee, OmniMind is quickly rising to the top of the nootropic world.
Find out why people are choosing OmniMind to achieve advanced brain performance, and why it's our editor's top pick.
Read the Nootropic Watchdog OmniMind review here.
Disclaimer: Our reviews and investigations are based on extensive research from the information publicly available to us and consumers at the time of first publishing the post. Information is based on our personal opinion and whilst we endeavour to ensure information is up-to-date, manufacturers do from time to time change their products and future research may disagree with our findings. If you feel any of the information is inaccurate, please contact us and we will review the information provided.
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