Promote Longevity: Results from MIT Research
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Yes, aging may be inevitable, but Leonard Guarente ’74 believes we can slow it down. With more than 34 years studying aging as director of the MIT Glenn Lab for the Science of Aging, Guarente says the key is pinpointing the factors present in youthful cells that promote cellular maintenance and determining ways to activate these mechanisms.
In 2013, Guarente started Elysium Health with co-founders Eric Marcotulli and Dan Alminana in an effort to bring products to market that could improve health based on his findings. His solution? Nutraceuticals—supplements created by pure forms of molecules found in nature.
The first supplement released by Elysium, Basis, contains two important molecules that Guarente’s research has determined to be key factors in promoting longevity. The first is a chemical precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, or NAD, a compound present in all living cells and a necessary metabolic compound for maintaining health maintenance. The second is pterostilbene, a compound that is almost identical—though proven to be more effective—than the more well-known resveratrol, a compound with health benefits related to aging that is commonly found in things like red wine and dark chocolate. “The novelty was to combine the two molecules,” says Guarente. “And then to find a way to produce them so that we could have pure compounds in the products. That took a while but we found a production facility that could do it.”
Basis was first released for sales in February 2015 after initial human trials, additional trials for safety and efficacy began in January 2016. Run by an independent group, these trials will result in a report, slated to be published in late 2016, that is expected to expand the safety data and begin to test efficacy in humans.
The trials, placebo-controlled and double-blind, will measure markers of good health like blood glucose, lipids, levels of inflammation, sleep and energy, as well as tests based on physical capacity. “It is imperative that we do this and it will really set us apart from almost anybody out there in the dietary supplement area, making us more like a drug company in terms of scientific rigor.”
A clinical trial isn’t the only factor adding to their credibility. They also have a team of more than two dozen scientists, including six Nobel Laureates, and a focus on quality control. Elysium is creating a new breed of supplement companies, says Guarente. “It’s an unmet need. Our challenge is to identify the right products and be as rigorous as possible in testing them.”
Elysium is also planning to release two new supplements in the coming year. “A lot of our customers are people who really want to take ownership of their own health maintenance and they want to be proactive in health,” says Guarente. “They want to learn from us and we try to provide them with as much information as possible.”
Photo: M. Scott Brauer.
Comments
joel unowsky
Fri, 04/29/2016 1:36pm
Do a controlled clinical trial. Testimonials go back to the era of patent medicine, indian tonics and tent sales.
Marque Strong
Fri, 04/29/2016 1:47am
this is what i have been looking for....... i would love to participate in your trials.... i am yours to use as you see fit.... please contact me i am healthy and more than willing to help in any way to move the science of longevity and a healthy whole life for all forward thank you
Patricia Crawford
Thu, 04/28/2016 8:58pm
Basis is available now, I bought some and am giving it a try. Click the link to Elysium, or just google it.
joel unowsky
Thu, 04/28/2016 7:34pm
Don't sell the product before clinical efficacy and safety data are available. the studies should be double blind and statistically validated and published in a peer reviewed reputable medical journal.
jeniel afton cramer
Wed, 04/27/2016 3:55pm
My husband has had Phen Phen which has damaged his heart - he is out of breath doing anything for more than 5 minutes. Is there anyway he can get his energy back?
A guinea pig for elysium we would gladly try.
Sarah
Wed, 04/27/2016 2:42pm
Yes, I am interested in this study and products being used. I would love to be a part of any study with this product. Are there any before and after pictures? Does any one experience side affects? I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks so much,
My Best regards,
Sarah
Joseph Gasbarrini
Mon, 04/25/2016 9:25am
I am a 52 yr old male, I have quite a story to tell you ! I was injured the day after the 9-11 attacks 2001, as a corrections officer at Attica C-F in NY State, breaking up 6 inmates stabbing each other to death, I injured my back severely and was retired disabled in 2010 after 7 major back surgeries, and 23 years of service, My health spiraled out of control during this time and I became very dependent on opioids, just like we see all over the news today ! by 2004 I had gained so much weight that I had full gastric bypass and got rid of 150 pounds, all because of my inactivity ! Since, then depression has set in as the Lord has pretty much taken away from me everything I loved to do, I was an avid outdoorsman and now don't seem to want to go outside anymore as it just reminds me of all the things I can't do, My head is always clouded because of the pills, but the pain without them seemed unbearable and I felt trapped ! about 3 months ago I had, .....I don't know what to call it but I seen myself not wanting to go on like this anymore . So I went to a pain management doctor and said, "get me off these pills and this addiction" at which time we began cutting doses a little at a time and currently I am already at less then half the dose I was on and feel I am on my way to getting completely off these pills, I was taking oxycontin 40 mg 2X daily and hydrocodone 10s 4 and sometimes 5 times daily ! yeah, I was slowly killing myself ! but as I said currently I am at half the dose of the oxy's and am completely off the hydro's ! my head is coming out of the cloud, now I still had no energy to do much other then to go from my hospital bed that I purchased and go to my recliner! now here's the relevance ....I reached out to Elysium Health looking for something to help me right the ship, I have been on your pills for 2 months now and "WOW" what a difference, my energy level has gone through the roof, I am getting out of my chair and going outside again, my wife tells me of the big difference as of late and says she's getting her "Joe" back ! Thank You Elysium and feel free to contact me if you need to use me as a test result, example, whatever and if not that's fine too, just thank you for helping me !! Sincerely Joe Gasbarrini
Christina
Sun, 04/24/2016 10:40am
Hi, how do I find your product and where is it being sold? Are there any before and after photos of people on your product? Are there any side-effects? Please inform me.
Thank you,
Christina
Dorothy
Sat, 04/23/2016 7:38pm
Would like more information on this topic.
Fritz Hubig
Sat, 04/23/2016 6:15pm
Very interested
Robert Bingham
Sat, 04/23/2016 5:39pm
Please send me additional information of what is currently available and which products are in a testing phase.
Thank you.
Bob
Yvonne Stevenson
Sat, 04/23/2016 3:17pm
I'm 67, and until the last year after I quit smoking , I've been in very good health . I've been very tired and concerned about my lack of energy . So ,after reading this article , I'd love to be concidered to participate in an upcoming trial . I'm not ready to slow down !
Jacques
Fri, 04/22/2016 11:56am
Please keep me updated on this research.
James Hudson
Thu, 04/21/2016 7:02am
Interested in restoring cells damaged by radiation and chemotherapy for Stage IV Tongue cancer.
James Hudson
Thu, 04/21/2016 7:00am
I am interested for many reasons.
1) It is a natural compound
2) Passing the two year mark of end of treatment for Head and Neck as well as bladder cancer.
3) I wonder if this product would be beneficial in restoring my body after the damage done by treatment.
colleen
Wed, 04/20/2016 7:21pm
please send me info. would love to give it a try....
Alex P. Sena
Wed, 04/20/2016 3:34pm
I am interested and have been for some time now in taking your products either purchased outright and/or in clinical trials to improve my quality of life and to reverse my ageing. Can you sign me up via email?
David kearney
Wed, 04/20/2016 1:44pm
I would like to join your trials,I am male 65
Years old
Fred Haft
Wed, 04/20/2016 10:42am
Most interested in taking part in your longevity study. Please contact me at your convenience.
Eileen Christiansen
Wed, 04/20/2016 8:56am
I would love to learn more
Heidi Egloff
Wed, 04/20/2016 8:41am
Very interesting!
Mauricio J
Wed, 04/20/2016 8:34am
Will like to test your product ... please reach back to me!
Thank you
Rodney Bird
Wed, 04/20/2016 7:58am
Interested in your research and product.
Alex Wilson
Wed, 04/20/2016 4:40am
Interested in participating in trials.
John Leuchtman
Tue, 04/19/2016 9:38pm
I'm interested when safety study is finished. I'd like more info on ingredients and side effects. I'm 70 in excellent health and wish to extend it.
Ron moldovan
Tue, 04/19/2016 6:28pm
Have many terminal illnesses CHF, kidney failure,and eppilesy 65 well documented at the university of Mich.been patient since 1979.would your research be a chance at longevity for me? Almost all my doctors are faculty.
Hector f Calo
Tue, 04/19/2016 1:59pm
Ok, show me
Mary Rose LoVerso
Thu, 04/14/2016 4:26am
I would appreciate your considering EGCG in your study, since many patients take mega doses for cancer suppression.Pharmacutical grade of EGCG has not been available, outside of the clinical studies done at the Mayo Clinic.
Karen
Fri, 04/01/2016 2:37pm
I am very interested in doing a study with you. I would like to take the product and measure results.
Sharon Ann Cla…
Mon, 02/29/2016 6:17pm
I am a plastic and reconstructive surgeon with an interest in the molecular basis of your products on aging and the scientific data of the therapies. Please send me the literature when you have some data.
Thank you.
Lewis Green
Sat, 01/23/2016 6:33pm
I enjoyed the article on Promote Longevity and would like to see articles with similar information.