Elysium Health Basis Review: Ingredients, Evidence & Honest Verdict
Elysium Health Basis — overall score
- Product type
- NAD+ / cellular longevity
- Manufacturer
- Elysium Health (founded 2014)
- Category
- Anti-Aging & Longevity
- Active ingredients
- NR-E, Pterostilbene
- Dose
- 250mg NR + 50mg PT
- Last reviewed
- September 2026
Elysium Health has real scientific pedigree — its chief scientist is a genuinely respected MIT aging researcher, and it published real human research. But this is also the only product on our entire site with a completely non-negotiable no-refund policy, alongside a documented pattern of billing complaints and an unusual ingredient-sourcing history worth understanding before you buy.
What’s in Basis
A two-ingredient formula, disclosed doses.
| Ingredient | Dose (per 2 capsules) |
|---|---|
| Nicotinamide Riboside (NR-E, proprietary crystalline form) | 250 mg |
| Pterostilbene (PT) | 50 mg |
A Notable Ingredient-Sourcing History
We’re not taking a side in this dispute, and it isn’t primarily about product safety. The practical takeaway for a reader is this: the well-established human research we cite in our other NAD+ reviews (Martens et al., 2018; Conze et al., 2019) was conducted using Niagen® specifically — not Elysium’s current proprietary NR-E form. The underlying molecule is the same, but this exact formulation’s track record is shorter and less independently documented.
What the Clinical Evidence Actually Shows
Elysium has published its own human research showing Basis can raise and sustain NAD+ levels by roughly 40% — a genuine, real study, and Elysium deserves credit for running one at all. Pterostilbene is a real antioxidant compound, structurally similar to resveratrol, generally included to help counter age-related decline in sirtuin activity alongside NR’s NAD+-boosting role.
The company’s chief scientist, Leonard Guarente, Ph.D., is a genuinely well-known, legitimate MIT researcher in the aging and sirtuin biology field — a real, verifiable scientific credential, not a marketing invention.
What Real Customers Say
We don’t invent review counts. Elysium’s Trustpilot page sits in a “Poor” rating band, with a real, recurring, documented complaint pattern.
Specific, detailed complaints we found describe shipments arriving more frequently than agreed (increasing charges), difficulty reaching customer service, and orders continuing to process after a cancellation request. We also found genuine, detailed positive reviews from long-term users describing a smooth subscription experience and reported wellbeing improvements — the picture is real and mixed, but the negative pattern is more specific and recurring than what we’d consider normal supplement-industry noise. Read the reviews yourself on Trustpilot ›
Editorial Concerns
- All sales are final — there is no refund policy of any kind, confirmed directly on the company’s own policy page
- Documented, recurring complaints about billing frequency and difficulty cancelling subscriptions
- The company’s current NR ingredient is a proprietary form not directly tested in the independent research we cite for this ingredient category
- An independent price comparison found a competing product offers more NR per dose at a lower price
The Refund Policy
Elysium’s own refund policy states plainly: “all orders are considered final sale.” This is the only product across our entire site with a complete, unconditional no-refund policy — every other product we’ve reviewed offers at least some return window, even when imperfectly enforced. If you’re on a prepaid multi-month plan, cancelling stops future renewals but does not refund months already paid for. Factor this in fully before purchasing, particularly on a longer subscription commitment.
Who Should Not Take This
- Anyone under 18, pregnant, or breastfeeding
- Anyone with a history of cancer, given NAD+’s role in cell growth signaling
- Anyone unwilling to commit to a purchase with no refund option under any circumstances
This isn’t medical advice — talk to a healthcare provider before starting any supplement, especially if you have an existing health condition or take medication.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Genuine, respected scientific leadership (MIT aging researcher)
- Published its own human NAD+ research; NSF Certified for Sport
- Fully disclosed doses, no proprietary blend confusion
Cons
- No refund policy under any circumstances
- Documented billing and cancellation complaints
- Current NR form not the one directly studied in our cited research
- Less NR per dose than a lower-priced competitor, per independent comparison
Who It’s For
Given the combination of a no-refund policy, documented billing complaints, and a directly comparable, less expensive alternative with more NR per dose and a track record tied to well-studied Niagen® NR, we’d point most readers toward Tru Niagen or Life Extension’s NAD+ Cell Regenerator first.
FAQ
Can I get a refund if Basis doesn’t work for me?
No. Elysium’s official policy states all orders are final sale, with no exceptions stated for dissatisfaction.
Is Elysium’s NR the same as the NR studied in major research?
Not exactly. Following a dispute with its original ingredient supplier, Elysium now uses its own proprietary NR form, distinct from the Niagen® ingredient used in the independent research we cite for this category.
Is Elysium Health a legitimate company?
Yes — it’s a real, venture-funded company founded by a genuine MIT aging researcher, with real published research. Our concerns are specifically about its refund policy and documented billing complaints, not about whether it’s a real business.
Do I need a prescription?
No. Basis is an over-the-counter dietary supplement, not a prescription medication, and isn’t a substitute for one.
See our top-rated pick in this category
Read Our Tru Niagen ReviewScore last reviewed: September 2026 · Read our full rating methodology.
