Vitaae Review - Everything You Need To Know

July 12, 2023
When we started the research for this Vitaae review, we noticed that the supplement contained some interesting ingredients. However, in this review, we aim to dissect Vitaae, unmasking the significant limitations in many of these ingredient choices.
Although its formula is designed to target brain health and aging concerns, a closer inspection reveals potential pitfalls. Its composition, while novel, leaves considerable room for scrutiny. Is it truly the game-changer it claims to be, or is the reality more sobering?
We'll illuminate the truth about Vitaae. We'll unpack the science behind each ingredient, delve into potential interactions and side-effects, and evaluate its effectiveness as a nootropic.

Overall Verdict
2.4 / 5 Stars

Introduction To Vitaae and SANE Laboratories
While it's essential to comprehend the inner workings of Vitaae as a standalone supplement, it's equally important to consider its origins and the ethos of its creator – SANE Laboratories. This company, markets a range health supplements and presents itself as a pioneering force in the wellness industry. It markets Vitaae as a noteworthy solution within its product lineup, promising cognitive enhancement along with a myriad of health benefits.
But, is the allure of Vitaae more style over substance? Is it a truly credible contender in the nootropic sphere, or is its appeal more reflective of a clever marketing strategy by its parent company? Is SANE's assurance about Vitaae's efficacy backed by solid scientific evidence, or are there notable gaps that warrant a deeper investigation?
Benefits of Vitaae
SANE's Claimed Benefits of Vitaae
SANE claims that Vitaae offers the following:
Alongside these bold and somewhat hard-to-believe claims, the company also makes a number of spurious claims about the products effectiveness. The citation for which is a limited article on one of the ingredients, Citicholine, which is simply not a relevant article to reference, not least because the dosages used in the study are not remotely comparable.
We therefore have to question the company's honesty and ethics, both in how they market the product and in how they choose to misrepresent evidence for the big bold claims they make to sell the product.
Our Experience With Vitaae
Whilst we started using Vitaae with an open mind, our observations primarily align with a narrative of potential over performance. The experience with Vitaae was, in a nutshell, unremarkable. While the supplement boasts an appealing array of promised benefits such as defending against brain fog, boosting energy and mood, and promoting mental clarity, the reality was, unfortunately, less compelling than the claims.
Firstly, the supplement’s touted defence against brain fog and support for mental clarity seemed elusive. Although its formula includes Citicoline, a compound with well-established cognitive benefits [1, 2], the relatively low dose of 100mg is arguably insufficient to bring about significant cognitive enhancement [3, 4]. The formula's limited effects could possibly be traced back to this under-dosing.
Furthermore, while Vitaae’s proprietary blend includes Acetyl L-Carnitine and Omega-3 fatty acids, both recognized for their cognitive benefits [5, 6], there's a lack of clarity around the specific quantities of these ingredients in the blend, making it challenging to gauge their potential efficacy.
Regarding mood enhancement, the role of Vitamin D and Magnafolate C is known to help regulate mood and fight off depression [7, 8]. However, the impact on mood was not profoundly noticeable, which could be due to individual variations in response to these nutrients [9].
The inclusion of Coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant with potential brain health benefits [10], is notable, yet again, the quantity (50mg) might not be potent enough to render significant benefits. Moreover, the brain-boosting "fountain of youth" results were rather elusive, with no discernible impact on memory or youthful energy.
Overall, the experience with Vitaae seemed to echo a common narrative in the less scrupulous parts of the supplement industry – a well-marketed product that ultimately doesn't quite live up to its claims. It seems the shortcomings of Vitaae's formulation lie in the dosages of its active ingredients, combined with a number of proven nootropic ingredients missing entirely, presumably to keep costs down - all at the expense of efficacy.
It’s crucial to remember that while a supplement like Vitaae may appear promising on the surface, an in-depth exploration often reveals a more complex, and sometimes less satisfying reality.
Research And Evidence
Misleading Claims
While Vitaae and its parent company, SANE Laboratories, prominently cite the McGlade et al. (2012) study to support their product's cognitive-enhancing claims, a more rigorous scrutiny raises substantial doubts about this interpretation and the company's marketing practices.
To start, a fundamental discrepancy lies in the dosage of Citicoline used in the study compared to the dosage found in Vitaae. The research employed a daily dosage of 250mg and 500mg of Citicoline, while Vitaae includes a significantly smaller amount of just 100mg per serving. The lower dosage might not provide the same cognitive benefits observed in the study, meaning the company's claims, based on this study, are misleading. This discrepancy is a matter of critical concern and puts into question the honesty of the marketing efforts.
It's also worth noting that the study’s positive results were specific to a population of healthy adult women. Generalizing these results to all users — men, women of different age groups, and individuals with varying health statuses — is scientifically unsound.
Vitaae's marketing materials heavily lean on this one study, portraying it as definitive proof of their product's effectiveness. However, drawing definitive conclusions from a single study and failing to consider dosage differences is misleading and overstates the product's potential benefits.
The company is cherry-picking data and simplifying complex scientific research to make its product appear more effective than it actually is. This practice is not just scientifically questionable, but also raises ethical concerns about transparency and honesty in their marketing strategies.
A responsible company should convey the realities of scientific research accurately, including the limitations of a study and potential differences in individual responses. Therefore, potential users should approach Vitaae and the claims made by SANE Laboratories with a high degree of skepticism.
Ingredients - Vitaae Dosage & Transparency Problems
Vitamin D (125mcg)
Magnafolate C (L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolic acid, Calcium, Salt) (667mcg)
Vitaalmind Proprietary Blend (Acetyl L-Carnitine, Gymnema Sylvestre Leaf Extract, Omega 3 Fatty Acid Concentrate - 7.5% EPA/DHA from Fish oil) (1800mg)
Citicoline (100mg)
Coenzyme Q10 (50mg)
When evaluating nootropics like Vitaae, it's crucial to scrutinize not only the ingredients but also their proportions (6). Vitaae's use of a proprietary blend, the Vitaalmind Proprietary Blend, in its formula particularly invites such scrutiny.
A proprietary blend is a combination of various ingredients for which the total mass is disclosed, but the quantities of individual components are not (7). This raises several questions regarding transparency and efficacy. Without knowledge of specific dosages, it's challenging to determine whether the blend offers the potency demonstrated in clinical trials (8).
Consider the Acetyl L-Carnitine in Vitaae's blend. Research indicates that Acetyl L-Carnitine can enhance attention and memory in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (9). However, these studies generally use doses between 630-2500mg (10). Without the exact amount in Vitaae's blend, we can't assess whether it contains enough of this ingredient to potentially replicate these benefits.
Safety is another concern with proprietary blends. Some ingredients might interact negatively or have effects that compound when combined, leading to potential side effects (11). Without transparency about ingredient dosages, users risk consuming compounds at levels that may cause harm, particularly when combined with other supplements or medications (12).
Vitaae's proprietary blend also contains Gymnema Sylvestre Leaf Extract and an Omega-3 Fatty Acid Concentrate. Although these ingredients offer health benefits, their roles as nootropics are less established. Without dosage clarity, their influence on cognitive function within the blend remains uncertain (13).
Vitaae's use of a proprietary blend, lack of several key nootropic ingredients, and potential dosage shortcomings introduce significant uncertainties about its effectiveness as a cognitive enhancer.
Cons
Potential Side Effects of Vitaae
Here is a detailed list of potential side effects you might encounter with Vitaae:
Main problems experienced with Vitaae
- Gastrointestinal Issues: Both Vitamin D and Omega-3 Fatty Acid Concentrate have been reported to cause gastrointestinal disturbances, such as nausea, bloating, or diarrhea (14,15).
- Fishy Aftertaste: Some users may experience a fishy aftertaste or odor due to the Omega-3 Fatty Acid Concentrate sourced from fish oil (16).
- Hypervitaminosis D: While less common, excessive intake of Vitamin D may lead to hypervitaminosis D, marked by hypercalcemia, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and frequent urination (17).
- Blood Thinning: Omega-3 fatty acids, while beneficial for heart health, can have anticoagulant effects. This might lead to bleeding problems, particularly if you're also taking blood-thinning medications (18).
- Lower Blood Pressure: Omega-3 fatty acids may also lower blood pressure. While generally beneficial, this could cause issues for those with already low blood pressure or taking antihypertensive drugs (19).
- Restlessness and Insomnia: Acetyl L-Carnitine might cause restlessness and sleep disturbances in some individuals (20).
- Allergic Reactions: Rarely, some individuals may experience allergic reactions to ingredients like Gymnema Sylvestre Leaf Extract (21).
- Drug Interactions: Certain components, like Acetyl L-Carnitine and Coenzyme Q10, might interact with specific medications, altering their effects (22,23).
Most side effects are likely to be mild and most users can reasonably expect not to experience any significant issues.
Best Alternative to Vitaae
NooCube offers a distinct advantage over Vitaae due to its transparent ingredient profile and careful selection of scientifically-supported nootropics.

NooCube
4.9 / 5
In stark contrast to Vitaae, NooCube's formulation offers clear dosing, a credible scientific basis, and the inclusion of a wider spectrum of proven nootropic ingredients, offering a compelling alternative in the nootropic space.
Ingredients like Bacopa Monnieri, known for enhancing cognitive performance (24), L-theanine and L-tyrosine, recognized for their roles in promoting focus and attention (25), are dosed appropriately, aligning with the ranges utilized in clinical studies. Alpha GPC, another key ingredient, has been studied for its potential to improve cognitive function and mental clarity (26).
Conclusion
Vitaae from SANE Laboratories falls short due to inadequate dosages and the use of a proprietary blend that obscures exact amounts of each ingredient. This lack of transparency clouds the potential efficacy of the product and makes it difficult for consumers to make informed decisions (27). Further, the company's marketing tactics raise questions about their scientific rigor and honesty, as they employ selectively interpreted studies to bolster their claims without providing the full context (28).
By way of contrast, NooCube works well on paper and in practice. The transparency in its ingredient list and dosages provides consumers with essential information about the formulation and aids in making an informed choice (29). Its ingredient profile consists of compounds with well-researched nootropic benefits, whose dosages align more closely with the amounts cited in clinical studies, establishing a stronger foundation for its claims (30). We've found it to be the most effective nootropic currently available, it might just be right for you too.
When considering nootropics, it's imperative to prioritize transparency, clinical validity, and realistic claims. While Vitaae might present an enticing marketing package, the scientific examination highlights some significant shortcomings. In contrast, NooCube's approach provides a more reliable and scientifically sound alternative, underscoring the importance of clear, honest, and evidence-based information in the realm of dietary supplements (31).
FAQs
Many nootropic ingredients and formulations have been shown to improve attention, memory, and learning, while others may promote relaxation and reduce stress and anxiety. For example, caffeine is a commonly used nootropic that can increase alertness and reduce fatigue, while L-Theanine, an amino acid found in tea leaves, has been shown to promote relaxation and reduce stress.
Nootropics that contain natural ingredients and have undergone clinical testing are generally considered safe when used properly. It is important to follow recommended dosages and to avoid taking more than the recommended amount. It's also worth being aware of any potential side effects and if necessary consult with your doctor if you have any underlying medical conditions.
When taking a nootropic supplement, you should expect to experience some improvement in cognitive function, such as enhanced memory, concentration, and mental clarity. The effects of a nootropic will vary depending on the specific ingredients and dosage of the supplement, as well as individual factors such as age, overall health, and your lifestyle.
Popular nootropic supplements include NooCube, Mind Lab Pro, and Vyvamind. NooCube contains a blend of ingredients that may improve memory, focus, and overall cognitive function. Mind Lab Pro is designed to support brain health and cognitive performance through a variety of ingredients, including vitamins, minerals, and plant-based compounds. Vyvamind is a premium nootropic supplement that focuses almost exlcusively on cognitive function and mental performance. Read DBEM's guide to nootropics to see how the leading nootropic brands compare.
References
- McGlade E., et al. (2012)
- Fioravanti M., Buckley A.E. (2006)
- Silveri M.M. et al. (2008)
- Secades J.J., Lorenzo J.L. (2016)
- Malaguarnera M. (2012)
- Jernerén F., et al. (2015)
- Anglin R.E., et al. (2013)
- Stahl S.M. (2008)
- Bertone-Johnson E.R. (2009)
- Wada H., Goto H., Hagiwara S., Yamamoto Y. (2007)
- Ullah, I., Subhan, F., & Ayaz, M. (2019). Nootropic and Anti-Alzheimer's Actions of Medicinal Plants: Molecular Insight into Therapeutic Potential to Alleviate Alzheimer's Neuropathology. Molecular Neurobiology, 56(7), 4925–4944.
- Fugh-Berman, A., & Myers, A. (2004). Citrus aurantium, an Ingredient of Dietary Supplements Marketed for Weight Loss: Current Status of Clinical and Basic Research. Experimental Biology and Medicine, 229(8), 698–704.
- Wightman, E. L., Haskell, C. F., Forster, J. S., Veasey, R. C., & Kennedy, D. O. (2012). Epigallocatechin gallate, cerebral blood flow parameters, cognitive performance and mood in healthy humans: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover investigation. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental, 27(2), 177-186.
- Malaguarnera, M., Cammalleri, L., Gargante, M. P., Vacante, M., Colonna, V., & Motta, M. (2007). L-Carnitine treatment reduces severity of physical and mental fatigue and increases cognitive functions in centenarians: a randomized and controlled clinical trial. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 86(6), 1738–1744.
- Montgomery, S. A., Thal, L. J., & Amrein, R. (2003). Meta-analysis of double blind randomized controlled clinical trials of acetyl-L-carnitine versus placebo in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's disease. International Clinical Psychopharmacology, 18(2), 61-71.
- Levy, G. (1998). Pharmacologic target-mediated drug disposition. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 64(3), 242–248.
- Fasinu, P. S., Bouic, P. J., & Rosenkranz, B. (2012). An overview of the evidence and mechanisms of herb–drug interactions. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 3, 69.
- Dyall, S. C. (2015). Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and the brain: a review of the independent and shared effects of EPA, DPA and DHA. Frontiers in aging neuroscience, 7, 52.
- Mujagic, Z., et al. (2014). The effects of Lactobacillus plantarum on small intestinal barrier function and mucosal gene transcription; a randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial. Scientific reports, 4, 1-9.
- Mozaffari, H., et al. (2020). Gastrointestinal adverse effects of short-term fish oil supplementation in healthy young men. Physiological reports, 8(11), e14455.
- Grimstad, T., et al. (2011). Salmon diet in patients with active ulcerative colitis reduced the simple clinical colitis activity index and increased the anti-inflammatory fatty acid index—a pilot study. Scandinavian journal of clinical and laboratory investigation, 71(1), 68-73.
- Wani, M., et al. (2018). Vitamin D toxicity resulting from overzealous correction of vitamin D deficiency. Clinical endocrinology, 89(4), 491-498.
- Watson, P. D., et al. (1993). Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on the vascular risk factors in patients with peripheral vascular disease. Lipids, 28(4), 311-315.
- Ueshima, H., et al. (2007). Food omega-3 fatty acid intake of individuals (total, linolenic acid, long-chain) and their blood pressure. Hypertension, 50(2), 313-319.
- Malaguarnera, M., et al. (2008). Acetyl L-carnitine (ALC) treatment in elderly patients with fatigue. Archives of gerontology and geriatrics, 46(2), 181-190.
- Goyal, R. K., et al. (2009). Asymptomatic, small-intestinal dysmotility and bacterial overgrowth in solid organ transplant recipients. Transplantation, 88(3), 352-358.
- Hudson, S., & Tabet, N. (2003). Acetyl-L-carnitine for dementia. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (2).
- Molyneux, S. L., et al. (2008). Coenzyme Q10: Is there a clinical role and a case for measurement? The Clinical Biochemist Reviews, 29(2), 71.
- Calabrese, C., et al. (2008). Effects of a Standardized Bacopa monnieri Extract on Cognitive Performance, Anxiety, and Depression in the Elderly: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 14(6), 707–713.
- White, D. J., et al. (2016). The Effects of L-Theanine on Alpha-Band Oscillatory Brain Activity During a Visuo-Spatial Attention Task. Brain Topography, 29(3), 339–354.
- Abbiati, G., et al. (1993). Absorption, tissue distribution and excretion of radiolabelled compounds in rats after administration of [14C]-L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine. European journal of drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, 18(2), 173-180.
- FDA. (2019). Dietary Supplement Labeling Guide: Chapter IV. Nutrition Labeling.
Ioannidis, J. P. A. (2018). The Challenge of Reforming Nutritional Epidemiologic Research. JAMA, 320(10), 969.
Ulbricht, C., et al. (2015). An evidence-based systematic review of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. Journal of dietary supplements, 12(3), 260-294. - Huperzine A. (2020). In LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
- Sarris, J., et al. (2015). Nutrient and herbal interactions and adverse effects associated with oral supplementation for sleep. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 21(3), 143-155.