Elysium Basis Review (2026)
Scientist-founded NAD+ formula combining NR and pterostilbene. Credible science, but proprietary dosing limits transparency.
Pros
- NR + pterostilbene synergy (sirtuin activation)
- Co-founded by Nobel laureates
- One published clinical trial
Cons
- 250mg NR - slightly below optimal dose
- Pterostilbene dose not disclosed
Skip if: You want maximum NR dose - Tru Niagen gives you 300mg vs Elysium's 250mg.
What Is Elysium Basis?
Elysium Health was co-founded by MIT biologist Leonard Guarente and has an advisory board including Nobel laureates. Basis is their flagship product: a combination of nicotinamide riboside (NR) and pterostilbene, designed to raise NAD+ levels while activating sirtuins through two complementary mechanisms.
Pterostilbene is a methylated analog of resveratrol with superior bioavailability. Resveratrol activates SIRT1; pterostilbene does the same with better absorption and duration. The combination with an NAD+ precursor creates a sirtuin activation strategy that targets both the substrate (NAD+) and the enzyme (SIRT1).
Ingredients & Dosing
| Ingredient | Dose | Clinical dose | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) | 250mg | 250-300mg | ✓ Adequate |
| Pterostilbene | Proprietary | 50-100mg | ⚠ Undisclosed |
Clinical Evidence
Elysium conducted a double-blind, randomized trial (Dellinger et al., 2017) showing Basis elevated whole blood NAD+ by 40% at 250mg/day, and 90% at 500mg/day over 8 weeks - comparable to Tru Niagen's results. However, this is a single company-funded trial, contrasted with multiple independent studies validating NR generally.
Verdict
Elysium Basis is a legitimate, well-formulated product. The NR + pterostilbene combination is scientifically sound. Our 4.3/5 reflects the strong brand credibility and functional formula, docked slightly for proprietary pterostilbene dosing and slightly lower NR content vs Tru Niagen. At similar pricing, the choice comes down to whether you value the pterostilbene synergy (Basis) or maximum NR dose (Tru Niagen).