Jarrow Formulas PS 100
Best value phosphatidylserine supplement — soy-free, well-dosed, and backed by an FDA qualified health claim that few brain supplements can match.
- 100mg phosphatidylserine per capsule — clinical study dose
- FDA qualified health claim for cognitive decline reduction
- Soy-free (sunflower-derived Sharp-PS)
- Affordable at under $0.40 per day
- Needs 3 capsules daily for the full 300mg research dose
- Contains a small amount of soy lecithin in the softgel
- Effects are gradual — requires 2-4 months of consistent use
Jarrow Formulas PS 100 delivers 100mg of phosphatidylserine per capsule — one of the few nutrients the FDA allows a qualified health claim for regarding cognitive decline. Made from sunflower lecithin rather than soy, it’s a well-dosed, affordable option for adults over 50 looking to support memory and mental sharpness through a mechanism that’s distinct from fish oil or B vitamins. If you’re building a brain health stack, phosphatidylserine deserves serious consideration.
What Is Jarrow Formulas PS 100?
Jarrow Formulas has been a trusted name in the supplement industry since 1977, known for evidence-based formulations and high-quality sourcing. Their PS 100 uses Sharp-PS, a branded form of phosphatidylserine from the Italian ingredient company Enzymotec (now part of Frutarom). Sharp-PS is the most studied branded PS ingredient in the world, with clinical research spanning over two decades.
Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid — a specialized fat that forms the building blocks of cell membranes. Your brain contains the highest concentration of PS in your body, where it plays essential roles in neurotransmitter production, cell-to-cell signaling, and memory formation. Unlike many trendy nootropics, PS has a genuine body of clinical evidence behind it and one of the rarest distinctions in the supplement world: an FDA qualified health claim.
What’s Inside
Each softgel delivers:
- 100mg phosphatidylserine (from sunflower lecithin, Sharp-PS brand)
- Softgel shell: gelatin, glycerin, water
- Medium chain triglycerides (MCT) as carrier oil
The formula is straightforward — no proprietary blends, no unnecessary additives, no stimulants. The sunflower-derived PS eliminates concerns about soy allergens, though it’s worth noting that the softgel shell itself may contain trace amounts of soy lecithin as a processing aid. If you have a severe soy allergy, check with the manufacturer for the latest formulation details.
Jarrow offers PS 100 in both 60-count and 120-count bottles. At the standard one-capsule-per-day maintenance dose, the 120-count bottle lasts four months — making it one of the most affordable brain supplements on a per-day basis.
What the Research Says
Phosphatidylserine has been studied in over 30 human clinical trials for cognitive function. The overall body of evidence is strong enough that in 2003, the FDA granted two qualified health claims: that PS “may reduce the risk of dementia in the elderly” and “may reduce the risk of cognitive dysfunction in the elderly.” Very few supplements have earned any FDA-recognized cognitive claims.
A 2010 study published in the Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition gave 78 elderly subjects with mild cognitive impairment 100-300mg of soy-derived PS daily for six months. The group taking 300mg showed significant improvements in memory recall and learning, particularly in those with the lowest baseline cognitive scores.
An earlier 1991 study in Neurology — one of the most prestigious neurology journals — found that 300mg of PS daily for 12 weeks improved cognitive performance in patients with age-associated memory impairment. Improvements were most notable in name-face recall and telephone number recall — the everyday memory tasks that matter most to people experiencing age-related changes.
Research also suggests PS may help manage cortisol levels. A 2004 study found that phosphatidylserine supplementation blunted the cortisol response to mental stress, which is relevant because chronically elevated cortisol is associated with hippocampal shrinkage and memory impairment in older adults.
Who Is This Best For?
Jarrow Formulas PS 100 is a particularly good fit for:
- Adults over 50 noticing age-related memory changes — especially difficulty with names, phone numbers, or where you put things
- People who want an FDA-recognized brain supplement rather than a trendy nootropic with limited evidence
- Anyone building a cognitive health stack — PS pairs well with DHA fish oil for complementary brain support
- Soy-sensitive individuals looking for a phosphatidylserine source that avoids soy protein
- Budget-conscious supplementers — at roughly $22 for 60 capsules, the per-day cost is very reasonable
PS may not be the best choice if you expect rapid results (it works gradually over months), if you take anticoagulant medications without medical supervision (PS has mild blood-thinning properties at high doses), or if you’re looking for a stimulant-like focus boost — PS is neuroprotective, not stimulating.
How to Take It
The standard maintenance dose is 100mg daily (one capsule). For adults actively experiencing cognitive concerns, the research-supported dose is 300mg daily (three capsules), which matches the dosing in the strongest clinical trials.
Take PS with a meal containing some dietary fat — as a phospholipid, it’s best absorbed alongside other fats. Any meal with eggs, olive oil, nuts, or avocado works well.
Timing tip: Some users report better results taking PS in the morning, as it may support daytime focus and mental clarity. Others split the 300mg dose across meals — 100mg at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Interactions to watch: Phosphatidylserine may have mild blood-thinning effects at doses above 200mg. If you take warfarin, heparin, or daily aspirin, let your doctor know before starting PS. It may also interact with anticholinergic medications and some Alzheimer’s drugs (cholinesterase inhibitors) — consult your prescribing physician.
Always consult your doctor before starting phosphatidylserine supplementation, particularly if you take blood-thinning or neurological medications.
The Bottom Line
Jarrow Formulas PS 100 offers one of the best-studied brain nutrients available in a clean, soy-free, affordable format. Phosphatidylserine won’t grab headlines the way newer nootropics do, but it has something most of them don’t: decades of clinical research and an FDA qualified health claim connecting it to cognitive health. At roughly $22 for a two-month supply at maintenance dose, it’s one of the most cost-effective cognitive supplements you can take. For adults over 50 who want to support memory and mental sharpness with something backed by real science, Jarrow PS 100 is a solid, well-proven choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is phosphatidylserine and why does it matter for brain health?
Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a phospholipid — a type of fat that makes up a critical part of every cell membrane in your body, with the highest concentration found in the brain. It plays essential roles in cell signaling, neurotransmitter release, and synaptic function. As you age, your brain's phosphatidylserine levels naturally decline, which correlates with reduced cognitive performance. Supplementing with PS helps maintain the structural integrity and communication efficiency of brain cells.
Does the FDA really allow a health claim for phosphatidylserine?
Yes, but it's a qualified health claim — meaning the evidence is promising but not conclusive. The FDA permits two specific qualified claims: that PS 'may reduce the risk of dementia in the elderly' and 'may reduce the risk of cognitive dysfunction in the elderly.' This is notable because the FDA rarely allows any claims linking supplements to cognitive function. The qualification reflects that while multiple studies show benefits, the FDA wants to see more large-scale trials.
Why does Jarrow use sunflower-derived PS instead of soy?
Jarrow Formulas PS 100 uses Sharp-PS brand phosphatidylserine derived from sunflower lecithin. This matters for two reasons: it avoids soy allergens entirely (important for the many adults with soy sensitivities), and sunflower-derived PS avoids any concerns about phytoestrogens found in soy. The phosphatidylserine molecule itself is identical regardless of source — your body uses it the same way.
Can I take Jarrow PS 100 with other brain supplements like fish oil?
Yes, and there may be synergistic benefits. A 2007 study published in Nutrition and Neuroscience found that phosphatidylserine combined with DHA omega-3 produced greater cognitive improvements in elderly subjects than either supplement alone. PS helps form cell membranes and DHA maintains their fluidity — they work through complementary mechanisms. Many people stack PS with a high-DHA fish oil for comprehensive brain support.