Jarrow Formulas Review: Products & Does It Work?

Jarrow Formulas was founded by Jarrow Rogovin more than four decades ago. It’s a brand you see on shelves everywhere but rarely hear much about — which is exactly why our research team wanted to dig deeper.

We looked at the supplements themselves, the company’s weight-loss offerings, the science behind key ingredients, and more, to give you a clear bottom line on whether Jarrow Formulas is worth trying.

What Is Jarrow Formulas?

Jarrow Formulas is a longstanding California-based brand offering a diverse range of nutritional supplements. Unlike brands built around complex proprietary blends, Jarrow specializes in single-ingredient supplements, spanning digestion, bone health, brain function, heart health, immune support, and energy and metabolism.

Products are sold globally across North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. What does the research say about a few common ingredients used across the line? Apple cider vinegar has demonstrated antimicrobial effects, according to Scientific Reports. Green coffee bean extract supplementation has been linked to reduced waist circumference and BMI, per The British Journal of Nutrition. And CLA may cause “a decrease in body fat,” according to Nutrition and Metabolism.

Company and Better Business Bureau

Jarrow L. Rogovin founded Jarrow Formulas in Los Angeles in 1977, aiming to deliver high-quality, effective, and affordable dietary supplements. New Mountain Capital acquired the company on September 1, 2020, and on January 11, 2022, formed a new parent company, Vytalogy, bringing Jarrow Formulas together with Natrol under one roof — two brands with more than 85 years of combined history in the vitamin and supplement space.

Despite nearly two decades of operation, Jarrow Formulas currently shows just a single BBB customer review (one star out of five) and one complaint, with the company unaccredited and holding a “NR” (no rating) status.

Jarrow Formulas Customer Service

Phone: 310-204-6936 or toll-free (800) 726-0886. General inquiries: jarrowinfo@vytalogy.com. Orders: orders@vytalogy.com. Sales: sales@jarrow.com. Address: 1824 ½ S Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035.

Jarrow Formulas Products

The product catalog spans amino acids, MCT oil, astaxanthin, beta glucan, ribose, 7-Keto DHEA, whey protein (unflavored, French vanilla, chocolate), a probiotic-prebiotic combo, ashwagandha, green tea, bone broth, curcumin, and krill oil. We didn’t find explicit vegan labeling on any of the supplements, and California court records show a past lawsuit against Jarrow Formulas over allegedly false claims tied to its coconut oil-based products.

Jarrow Formulas Claims

Jarrow’s weight-loss products are marketed to help users lose more weight or maintain weight already lost. We didn’t come across any outlandish or unverifiable promises, and we appreciate the straightforward, low-overlap approach across the ingredient lineup.

Common Jarrow Formulas Ingredients

Across the weight-management line, the most common ingredients include 7-Keto DHEA, apple cider vinegar, cayenne, conjugated linoleic acid, green coffee bean extract, green tea, hydroxycitric acid, garcinia cambogia, and inulin-FOS.

A Closer Look at the Ingredients

7-Keto DHEA

A 2013 study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found 7-keto reduced fat reserves in elderly adults, potentially contributing to weight loss over time even without additional lifestyle changes. Separate research in Best Practice & Research: Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found DHEA improved fatigue and weakness symptoms, though that study focused specifically on participants with adrenal insufficiency.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Research in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications shows the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar increases metabolism in rat studies, though human research confirming the same effect hasn’t been completed.

Cayenne

The European Journal of Translation Myology found cayenne extract has anti-inflammatory effects comparable to nonsteroidal drugs — since obesity is itself an inflammatory condition, this extract may offer some indirect benefit for overall inflammation.

Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)

A review of nearly 20 studies in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found limited promise for CLA’s weight-loss effects, and a second review of 15 trials in the European Journal of Nutrition reached the same conclusion: CLA doesn’t appear to meaningfully affect weight loss.

Green Coffee Bean Extract

A 2011 review of clinical trials found some promise for green coffee bean’s weight-loss effects, though study quality across the board was limited, according to Gastroenterology Research and Practice.

Green Tea

A review of 14 randomized trials found green tea, and the caffeine it provides, genuinely supports weight loss and weight maintenance, according to Molecules.

Hydroxycitric Acid (HCA)

The active ingredient in garcinia cambogia. Though the effect size is statistically small, HCA outperformed placebo for weight loss, per research in the Journal of Obesity.

Possible Jarrow Formulas Side Effects

Given the stimulant ingredients present in some Jarrow Formulas supplements, the most likely side effects include a shaky feeling, excess energy, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, increased thirst, and difficulty falling asleep.

Jarrow Formulas Lawsuits

In June 2020, Caudill Seed was awarded $2.4 million from Jarrow Formulas after the company was found to have stolen seed extraction technology, according to Wolters Kluwer.

Where to Buy

Jarrow Formulas products are sold on the official website and Amazon. Of the ten products we compared, Amazon consistently offered lower prices than the official site.

Pros and Cons

Pros: Affordable pricing, mostly single-ingredient formulas (less confusing), minimal ingredient overlap across weight-loss products, and lower prices available on Amazon.

Cons: Getting the full benefit may require stacking multiple products together.

The Bottom Line on Jarrow Formulas

We like a fair number of the ingredients Jarrow Formulas uses, and there are a couple we think could be left behind — but overall, this isn’t a bad company. The affordable pricing, and even lower Amazon prices, make it easy to recommend, and there isn’t much genuinely “bad” to say about the brand. As with any single-ingredient supplement approach, the best results tend to come from pairing these products with consistent diet and exercise habits rather than relying on the supplement alone.

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For general guidance on healthy weight management, see the resources available from Mayo Clinic.