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Treating multiple antiaging pathways improves health markers in open label clinical study

Translational Medicine Communications20172:9

https://doi.org/10.1186/s41231-017-0018-4

©  The Author(s) 2017

  • Received: 5 September 2017
  • Accepted: 3 November 2017
  • Published:

Abstract

Background

Research indicates that aging and health are affected by hundreds of biochemical pathways. Our hypothesis is that a multipath intervention strategy directed at multiple aging pathways may promote overall health. The objective of the study was to test the effects of a multipath antiaging dietary supplement on healthy adults using known markers of health.

Methods

The design of the dietary supplement intervention clinical study was an open-label field study. Fifteen men and women aged 42 to 79 years took a 10 component dietary supplement SC100+ twice daily for 15 weeks. Markers of overall health and life expectancy were measured at baseline and after 15 weeks of treatment. The markers included blood pressure, heart rate, HDL and Total Cholesterol, Stress levels, Lung capacity, and HbA1c. Paired two-sided Student t-tests were performed to evaluate the significance of the differences between baseline and post treatment.

Results

Mean laboratory measurements taken at baseline and after 15 weeks of SC100+ showed: 1) Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were both reduced (SBP -10.1 +/− 6.37 mmHg, p = 0.013 and DBP -4.6 +/− 4.17 mmHg, p = 0.048); 2) Stress as measured by heart rate variability was reduced (−25%, p = 0.017); 3) HDL cholesterol was increased (7.9 +/− 2.9 mg/dL, p = 0.005); and 4) Lung capacity was increased (+16.6%, p = 0.001). There were no significant changes in heart rate, total cholesterol, or HbA1c levels and no reported side effects.

Conclusions

Targeting multiple aging pathways has the potential to significantly reduce blood pressure and stress, while significantly increasing HDL Cholesterol levels and lung capacity. Targeting multiple critical aging pathways with a single dietary supplement is a novel alternative strategy to promote overall health.

Trial registration

The open label pilot study was registered retrospectively on Feb. 8, 2017 (NCT03052491).

Keywords

  • Aging
  • Antiaging
  • Blood pressure
  • HDL cholesterol
  • Stress
  • Lung capacity
  • Dietary supplement
  • Life expectancy

Background

Aging studies in many animal species have reported over a hundred genes linked to the aging process. These reported results provide evidence for the Evolution Theory of Aging [1, 2], which predicts that aging leads to poorly functioning organisms as optimal gene function and fitness decline with age after maturation to adulthood. The fact that many genes have altered expression with age suggests the hypothesis that a multipath strategy to nudge the expression of many critical genes back toward youthful fitness levels could help promote rejuvenation in older animals. Since aging plays a major role in age-related diseases and overall health, a composite multipath approach targeting critical genes involved in aging could also promote overall health and extend life expectancy. This composite multipath supplement hypothesis was tested in Drosophila aging and was successful in significantly extending mean and maximum life span [3]. Overall health as measured by enhanced fertility also appeared to be improved by the composite multipath dietary supplement [3].

To test this composite multipath hypothesis in humans, we have completed a small open-label clinical trial that treated 15 subjects for 15 weeks with the multipath nutraceutical supplement SC100+ containing 10 active components. In designing the SC100+ composition, we have tried to target a critical number of the known pathways linked to health, fitness, and longevity: adult stem cell function, telomere loss, stress, diet or exercise induced inflammation, insulin-like growth factors, autophagy, vascular circulation, neural function, and oxidative stress.

In developing SC100+, we started with the major active compounds found in the composite multipath supplement that increased mean and maximum lifespan in Drosophila [3] and then added other nutraceutical compounds known to act on other critical age-related pathways. In adding more compounds, we identified the subset of the nutraceuticals that have a proven history of use in herbal medicine to treat pleotropic human health conditions. We also identified the subset of nutraceuticals that have little or no known side effects. Finally, we focused on stem cell function as a critical factor in rejuvenation [4–6] by screening candidate longevity nutraceuticals for their effectiveness in stimulating and/or maintaining adult stem cell growth in human tissue culture screens. As we detail below, the final 10 herbal extracts in SC100+ provide a diverse set of bioactive compounds, which appear to act on many of the critical health and longevity pathways.

The first nutraceutical component in SC100+ comes from extracts of the Chinese medicinal herb Astragalus membranaceus, which has been used for thousands of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to promote cardiovascular and immune health. Astragalus extracts have many positive effects on stem cell function [7–10] and cardiovascular [11–14] and immune function [15–18]. Astragalus Polysaccharides activate autophagy [19], which is a potent cellular regenerative process.

The second nutraceutical component in SC100+ is Rhodiola rosea root extract, which helps to reduce several types of stress in humans [20, 21]. Rhodiola rosea extracts also have extended lifespan in several animal models [22–25], which suggest a positive effect on life expectancy.

The third major herbal extract in SC100+ is Vaccinium uliginosum berry extract, which has been standardized for a high content of resveratrol analogs. Resveratrol analogs help produce healthy levels of PPARα and cholesterol [26], AMPK [27, 28], SIRT1 [27, 28] and diet or exercise induced inflammation [29–31]. As these targets are linked to positive effects on health, overall health could be enhanced.

The fourth major herbal extract in SC100+ is Tulsi (Ocimum Santum) leaf extract, which is an adaptogenic herb used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine to promote wound healing [32–35]. Tulsi extracts also reduce stress and promote health [36–38].

The fifth herbal extract in SC100+ is Pine Bark Extract (PBE), which is standardized to over 94% proanthocyanidins. PBE improves endothelial function via activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis [39, 40] and promotes the vascular system [39] while reducing DNA damage [41] and oxidative stress [42].

The sixth herbal extract in SC100+ is L-Theanine, which is a unique neuroprotective amino acid found in green tea that crosses the blood-brain barrier. L-Theanine has a structure similar to glutamate, which is a neurotransmitter related to memory, and binds to the gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in neurons. L-Theanine is reported to reduce mental stress and to promote health, while improving cognition and protecting neurons [43–47]. Moreover, L-Theanine is reported to facilitate neurogenesis in the hippocampus of rats, leading to enhanced memory [48]. As to its antiaging effects, L-Theanine extends the lifespan of C. elegans [49] and can suppress the shortened life span and learning impairment of senescence accelerated mice under stress [50].

The seventh component in SC100+ is genistein, which is an isoflavone phytoestrogen that activates telomerase, metabolic PPARs, autophagy (cell waste disposal), and AMPK [51–54]. Genistein also extends C. elegans lifespan and healthspan [55], so it promotes life expectancy in some animals.

The eighth component in SC100+ is methylfolate (5-MTHF), which is the methylated active form of the B Vitamin Folic Acid. Some 50% of the US population has one or more mutations in the Methylfolate Reductase (MTHFR) gene, which makes them unable to process sufficient dietary folate into the active methylfolate form needed by the body. People with insufficient methylfolate are at higher risks of ill health [56–59]. SC100+ provides 300 mcg of methyfolate per serving, which is 75% of the minimum daily requirement.

The ninth component in SC100+ is Methyl B12, which is the methylated active form of vitamin B12. Older people are at risk of B12 deficiency because of poor absorption. Sufficient levels of Methyl B12 promote cellular immunity, cognitive function, and motor nerves [60–62]. SC100+ provides 250 mcg of Methyl B12 per serving, which is 4167% of the minimum daily requirement to ensure sufficient levels in older individuals.

The tenth component in SC100+ is Vitamin D3, which is the active form of vitamin D. Vitamin D3 is well known to be important in the regulation of calcium in supporting healthy bones and teeth. More recently, Vitamin D3 has been shown to promote overall health. Many older people are deficient in Vitamin D3, which can lead to a greater risk of ill health [63–65]. Vitamin D3 is also reported to reduce all-cause mortality [66–68]. SC100+ provides 1000 IU of Vitamin D3 per serving, which is 250% of the minimum daily requirement.

The 10 SC100+ components detailed above are a set of synergistic components that act on a critical number of the longevity targets. In this report, we test SC100+ as a multipath intervention in a small open label clinical study of healthy older adults.

Methods

SC100+ description

The SC100+ multipath dietary supplement is a patent-pending dietary supplement with the following 10 active compounds present in each capsule: 1) Astragalus membranaceus root extract; 2) Rhodiola rosea root extract; 3) Vaccium Uliginosum fruit extract standardized for resveratrol analogs; 4) Tulsi leaf extract; 5) Pine Bark root extract standardized for 94% Oligomeric-Proanthocyanidins; 6) L-Theanine; 7) Genistein; 8) Methyl Folate (300 mcg 5-MTHF); 9) Methyl B12 (250 mcg Methylcobalamin); and 10) Vitamin D3 (1000 IU). SC100+ capsules were provided by Centagen, Inc.

Study participants and design

The clinical trial described in this paper was a small open-label pilot study on the effects of SC100+ on health markers in male and female subjects 42 to 79 years of age (mean of 57 years). The needed sample size for some of the markers was calculated based on a smaller pilot study with 5 subjects, wherein blood pressure and cholesterol were measured at baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment. The final trial patient size was determined using an online power analysis calculator for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HDL Cholesterol, Lung function, and Stress testing. The power analysis showed that a 90% chance of detecting a 5% change in Blood pressure and HDL Cholesterol required 13 to 15 patients, while a 5% change in Lung Function or Stress levels required 5 to 6 patients. Therefore, our goal was a sample size of at least 15 patients without a placebo control. Unfortunately, project funding only allowed for 15 to 16 patients and placebo controls would require almost double our available funding. The open label pilot study was retrospectively registered on Feb. 8, 2017 (NCT03052491).

Sixteen volunteers for the trial were recruited publicly from Los Angeles and San Diego and the actual trial was run March through August of 2016. One subject dropped out in the first week due to unrelated medical problems from doctor-prescribed hormone treatment. The other 15 subjects completed 15 weeks on the SC100+ supplement without any reported side effects.

The selection criteria for the study volunteers consisted of: 1) Excludes subjects younger than 35 years or pregnant women; 2) No history of metastatic cancer, heart attack, or dementia; 3) Currently healthy with no life-threatening diseases; 4) Willing to undergo clinical blood tests and other non-invasive tests at baseline and after taking SC100+; 5) Committed to taking one SC100+ capsule twice daily for the test period; 6) Willing to sign the IRB Research Participant Consent Form.

Subject recruitment and follow-up

The recruitment period started in mid-February, 2016, and continued through early April of 2016. The first subjects started baseline testing March 12, 2016, while the last subject was baseline tested April 10, 2016. All subjects had completed the final testing at the end of the trial by August 14, 2016. Depending on their schedule, SC100+ supplementation and follow up continued for an average of 15 weeks with a minimum of 13.5 weeks and a maximum of 16.5 weeks. All 15 completed the lab tests as required with the exception of the lung and stress tests that had only 12 subjects complete these specialized tests. To reduce the potential for bias, final testing was done without knowledge of individual baseline test results.

Statistical analysis

Results are expressed as mean +/− 95% t-test confidence intervals. Paired two-sided Student t-tests were performed to evaluate the significance of differences between baseline and post SC100+ supplementation values for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HDL and Total Cholesterol, lung function, stress test, heart rate, and HbA1c levels. A p value of < 0.05 was considered significant. All statistical analyses were carried out with Microsoft Excel and double checked using the commercial scientific statistics software from GraphPad Software, Inc.

Results

SC100+ was tested in an open label pilot study

We have carried out an IRB approved clinical trial using 10 active component multipath formulation described above to treat human volunteers for a period of 15 week duration. The pilot study was an open-labeled field trial on healthy human subjects. Seven females and eight males participated and completed the trial with no reported side effects. The average age of the subjects was 57 with a range of 42 to 79 years. Most subjects were in their 50s, while 3 subjects were under 52 years of age and 2 subjects were over 70.

The subjects were tested at baseline and after 15 weeks on SC100+ for the following: systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressure, heart rate, total blood cholesterol, HDL blood cholesterol, stress, lung capacity, and self-rated health survey. For the intervention clinical trial, the subjects were instructed to take one SC100+ capsule twice daily at breakfast and dinner. During the clinical trial with SC100+, the subjects were permitted to continue taking their prescription drugs and any supplements that they had previously been taking.

Figure 1 shows a flow chart of the clinical trial. Potential subjects were first contacted at youth soccer matches or using the parental email lists of junior soccer players. Twenty subjects expressed interest in joining the trial and were assessed for eligibility. All 20 subjects were deemed eligible. Three of the 20 subjects later declined to participate and one subject moved away and was thus unavailable for testing. The remaining 16 subjects received a 60 day supply of SC100+. One subject dropped out of the trial in the first week due to issues with hormone replacement therapy that was added a few days before starting the SC100+ study. The remaining 15 subjects completed the trial. Tests were performed on the 15 subjects at baseline and after 15 weeks on SC100+. In the case of stress and lung function, only 12 subjects took these two tests, as 3 subjects could not come to the facility with the required specialized equipment needed for stress and lung testing.
Fig. 1
Fig. 1

Participant Clinical Flow Diagram: The flow of subjects through each stage of the SC100+ clinical study is shown in the Clinical Flow Diagram

SC100+ lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressure

Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) was measured by sphygmomanometer. Subjects started with a mean BP of 126/81 mmHg. Since most of the subjects were over 50, the average blood pressure of 126/81 mmHg at the start of the trial was within the normal range.

Figure 2 shows baseline and after 15 weeks of taking the SC100+ multipath supplement. SC100+ reduced mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) by −10.0 +/− 6.37 mmHg (P < 0.013) as shown in Fig. 2a. The SC100+ reduction in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was −4.6 +/− 4.17 mmHg (P = 0.048) as shown in Fig. 2b. Mean BP was in the normal range at baseline (mean 126/81), but fell to the low normal range (mean 116/76) after 15 weeks of SC100 +.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2

SC100+ lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Subjects took open-labeled SC100+ for 15 weeks. Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP in A) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP in B) were measured at baseline (blue bars) and after taking SC100+ (red bars). SBP and DBP were in the normal range before and after SC100+. All significant reductions (p < 0.05 in paired t tests) in SBP and DBP are designated with a Star. For comparison with hypertensive patients on drugs, the VH (80 mg valsartan +12.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide) and Placebo samples were from a published multicenter, double blind, randomized trial [69] on 132 hypertensive patients (average age of 59 years and 59% male with starting BP of 143/88 mmHg) treated with VH or a placebo

While SC100+ is not a treatment for hypertension, Fig. 2 also included drug data from a multicenter, double blind, randomized trial [69] on 132 hypertensive patients (average age of 59 years and 59% male with starting BP of 143/88 mmHg) treated with the antihypertension co-drugs valsartan 80 mg and hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg (VH treatment). The VH co-drug treatment reduction in SBP was −15.4 +/− 10.9 mmHg versus the placebo reading of −0.6 +/−7.7 mmHg (p < 0.001) as shown in Fig. 2a. The VH co-drug treatment reduction in DBP was −9.1 +/− 7 mmHg versus the placebo reading of −0.4 +/− 5.4 mmHg (p < 0.001) as shown in Fig. 2b.

SC100+ increases HDL cholesterol

High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was measured in the clinical subjects on whole blood drawn at baseline and after 15 weeks of SC100+. HDL is the so called “good” cholesterol and higher is better. HDL cholesterol increased significantly from a mean of 61.4 to 69.3 mg/dL (7.9 +/− 2.90 mg/dL, p = 0.005) with SC100+. Thus, 15 weeks of SC100+ led to a highly significant 12.9% increase in HDL Cholesterol (Fig. 3) for subjects with baseline HDL cholesterol already in the normal range. As a comparison to the placebo-controlled clinical trial with the statin Atovastatin (Atorvas Fig. 3), 6 weeks of treatment at 10 mg/day dose increases HDL Cholesterol by 3.5%, which is not significantly different from the placebo increases in HDL Cholesterol of 2.3% [70]. Fig. 3 also includes a comparison to the HDL Cholesterol increase found in a clinical trial with Extended Release Niacin (ERN in Fig. 3), which raised HDL Cholesterol 18% (p < 0.001) in this trial [71].
Fig. 3
Fig. 3

SC100+ raises mean HDL Cholesterol after 15 weeks. HDL Cholesterol was measured at baseline and after 15 weeks of taking SC100+. SC100+ raised mean HDL Cholesterol 12.8% (p < 0.005 in paired t tests). While SC100+ is not a treatment for low HDL Cholesterol, Fig. 3 also compares SC100+ to the effects of treatment with the drugs Atorvastatin (Atorvas at 10 mg/day for 6 weeks, N = 64) in a placebo-controlled (N = 22) clinical trial [70], and Extended Release Niacin (ERN at 1500 mg/day for 6 weeks, N = 27), which is taken from a placebo-ERN crossover clinical trial [71]. All stared results are significant with p < 0.05

No significant change in Total cholesterol or blood HbA1c levels with SC100+

Total Cholesterol (TC) and blood glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were also tested in the subjects at baseline and after 15 weeks of SC100+. Table 1 shows that mean Total Cholesterol did not change significantly with 15 weeks of SC100+ (202 mg/dL to 206 mg/dL, p = 0.582) and are in the normal range. Table 1 also shows that mean blood percentage of HbA1c levels did not change significantly with 15 weeks of SC100+ (5.84% to 5.73%, p = 0.488).
Table 1

SC100+ has no significant effects on Total Cholesterol or HbA1c levels

Marker

Baseline

SD

SC100+

SD

Difference

Significance

TC

202

36.1

206

34.0

4

p = 0.582

HbA1c

5.84

1.05

5.73

0.69

−0.11

p = 0.488

Subjects were tested for Total Cholesterol (TC) in mg/dL and blood glycosylated hemoglobin HbA1c levels as percent of total hemoglobin at baseline (column 2) and after taking SC100+ for 15 weeks (column 4). The TC and HbA1c Standard Deviations (SD) for baseline and after taking SC100+ are shown in the third and fifth column respectively. The sixth column shows the difference between the means at baseline and after taking SC100+ and the seventh column shows the paired t test significance of these mean differences.

SC100+ enhances lung function

Lung function was also measured in the clinical subjects using an Electronic Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) Meter for lung spirometry to check peak force breath flow from the lung. PEF was measured on subjects at baseline and after 15 weeks of SC100+. The average PEF of all subjects tested increased significantly from a mean of 452 l/min to 527 l/min, which is a 16.6% increase in lung function (Fig. 4). This represents a highly significant mean gain of 74.9 +/− 37.5 l/min (p = 0.001) for the whole population tested (N = 12). When broken down into gender differences after taking SC100+, females gained 21.4% in function (77.8 +/− 85.8 l/min, p = 0.066), which trended higher but was not significant with the small subgroup size of N = 5). Males gained 14.2% in function (73.1 +/− 52.2, p = 0.014), which was significant with the larger subgroup size of N = 7.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4

SC100+ supplement significantly raises mean PEF. SC100+ raised mean total Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) by 16.6% (p = 0.001 in paired t tests). If each sex is taken separately, SC100+ raised mean PEF by 21.4% (p = 0.066) for Females (N = 5) and 14.2% (p = 0.014) for Males (N = 7)

SC100+ reduces apparent stress levels and trends to lower heart rates

One objective measure of stress is reflected in measures of the variations in the interval between heart beats, which is called Heart Rate Variability (HRV). We measured the HRV in subjects at baseline and after 15 weeks of taking SC100+ (Stress Marker in Table 2) and found an apparent reduced stress level of −24.8%. This translates into a significant HRV reduction of −76.6 +/− 42 (p = 0.017). Mean heart rate (pulse) also trended lower with 15 weeks of taking SC100+ (−2.60 +/− 3.74 bpm, p = 0.178), but the difference was not significant (Heart Rate in Table 2).
Table 2

SC100+ lowers key marker of stress and trends to lowered heart rate

Marker

Baseline

SD

SC100+

SD

Difference

Significance

Stress

308

99

232

50

−24.8%

p = 0.017

Heart Rate

68.8

15.8

66.3

10.8

−3.8%

p = 0.178

Subjects were measured for heart rate variability (HRV) as an objective stress marker at baseline and after taking 15 weeks of SC100+. HRV was measured via finger photo-plethysmography during a 5-min rest period [72, 73]. The Stress (HRV) of Table 2 shows the mean stress level for all subjects at baseline and after taking SC100+. Mean Heart Rate in beats per minute (bpm) is shown in row 3 at baseline and after SC100+. Stress and Heart Rate Standard Deviations (SD) at baseline and post SC100+ are shown in the third and fifth column respectively. The difference trend and significance (paired t test) of the Stress and Heart Rate changes after taking SC100+ are shown in columns 6 and 7 respectively.

Discussion

The composite multipath SC100+ supplement has significant effects on blood pressure. While SC100+ is not a treatment for hypertension, the reduction in BP by the SC100+ supplement (Fig. 2) was significant, and even approaches the levels observed in the VH co-drug treatment with hypertensive drugs valsartan (angiotensin II receptor antagonist) and hydrochlorothiazide (a diuretic). However, the comparison with known drugs is inexact, as the subjects in our SC100+ clinical study typically had baseline blood pressure in the normal range for their age, which was clearly not the case in the VH co-drug treated hypertensive patients. Thus, the SC100+ supplement appears to take subjects with BP in the higher normal range for adults over 50 (mean 126/81 mmHg) to low youthful levels (mean 116/66 mmHg). BP levels at or below 120/80 mmHg in midlife are associated with longer life and better quality of life [72]. Moreover, unlike the known hypertensive drugs, SC100+ appeared to have a balancing effect on 4 subjects with very low BP at baseline (mean of 100/68 mmHg at baseline to 106/71 mmHg with supplement). Since BP is an important indicator of overall health and longer life [74], these BP results support our hypothesis that SC100+ promotes overall health and life expectancy.

Treating with the SC100+ dietary supplement led to a significant 12.9% increase in HDL Cholesterol (Fig. 3). However, it is important to note that all of the clinical subjects had normal levels of Total Cholesterol (202 +/− 18.6 mg/dL) and high normal levels of HDL Cholesterol (61 +/− 6.8 mg/dL) at baseline. The increase in normal levels of HDL Cholesterol by SC100+ is important because people with higher levels of HDL have lower risks of ill health, frailty, and total mortality, while having higher physical performance levels and cognition [75–78]. Moreover, while ERN niacin treatment raises HDL Cholesterol significantly in subjects with chronically low HDL Cholesterol, ERN has significant adverse effects and has failed in clinical trials to decrease mortality risks [79, 80]. Our clinical data showed that HDL Cholesterol levels were significantly increased in subjects treated with SC100+ provides further suggestive data to support our hypothesis that SC100+ promotes overall health and life expectancy.

Lung function was also measured in the study subjects using lung spirometry to check peak force breath flow from the lung. Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) was measured on subjects at baseline and after 15 weeks of SC100+. The average PEF of all subjects tested increased significantly from a mean of 452 l/min to 527 l/min (up 75 +/− 37.5 l/min, p = 0.001), which is a 16.6% increase in lung function (Fig. 4). Impaired pulmonary function has been linked to greater risks of ill health and all-cause mortality [81]. In addition to being a reliable measure of pulmonary function, PEF has been shown to be a valid measure of overall health status and all-cause mortality [82–86].

Stress was also measured in the clinical subjects using Heart Rate Variability (HRV), which has been reported by several clinical studies to be a strong marker of stress [87–90]. HRV as a measure of stress was significantly reduced 24.8% (p = 0.017, Table 2). Stress is very strong predictor of overall health and all-cause mortality [91–94]. Moreover, centenarians have reduced low frequency HRV readings [95] compared to a normal aged population over 75 years of age and stress is also markedly lower in centenarians [96–98].

Limitations of this preliminary study are easy to identify. First, this was an open-label clinical study without a placebo test group. In practice, many of the variables testing significant in the study were objective tests such as lung function, HDL Cholesterol, and HRV tests, which typically test very low in placebo tests. Moreover, the SC100+ supplement was accurately labeled as a commercial stem cell enhancer product (Stem Cell 100+), so the subjects in the trial had little reason to expect changes in blood pressure, stress levels, HDL Cholesterol, lung function, or overall health over the short period of 15 weeks.

A second limitation of the preliminary study is the small size of 15 subjects. A larger trial would be needed to have better confidence in these promising results. Despite the small size, both genders were represented and all ages in the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s were part of the trial and showed positive trends with respect to the overall health and life expectancy markers.

Conclusions

Results of this study show that a composite multipath SC100+ supplement has striking effects on the health and vitality of healthy subjects in this small clinical study. Targeting simultaneously multiple aging pathways significantly reduced blood pressure and stress, while significantly increasing HDL Cholesterol levels and lung capacity. Targeting multiple critical aging pathways with a multipath dietary supplement is a novel alternative strategy to promote overall health.

Abbreviations

BP: 

Blood pressure

DBP: 

Diastolic blood pressure

ERN: 

Extended release niacin

HbA1c: 

Glycosylated hemoglobin

HDL: 

High-density lipoprotein

HRV: 

Heart rate variability

PEF: 

Peak expiratory flow

SBP: 

Systolic blood pressure

SC100+: 

Stem Cell 100+

TC: 

Total cholesterol

VH: 

Valsartan + hydrochlorothiazide

Declarations

Acknowledgements

Med Tech John Still assisted YS with some of the blood lab testing.

Funding

Supplies and services for the clinical trial and article processing charges are funded by Centagen, Inc. Centagen had no role in the study design, data collection, data analysis, or preparation of the manuscript.

Availability of data and materials

The dataset generated and analyzed from the 15 individual subjects during the current study are included in the current study as a PDF supporting file (see Clinical Raw Data). As for the SC100+ dietary supplement, contact info@Centagen.com for SC100+ research samples or purchase the commercial version of SC100+ (Stem Cell 100+) online at www.Centagen.com .

Author’s contributions

YS collected blood samples from all subjects. YS was responsible for most lab assays on the blood samples. YS and BV performed the blood pressure and heart rate tests. BV performed the stress tests and the lung function tests. BV analyzed the data and was the principle writer of the manuscript. Both authors read and approved the manuscript.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The clinical trial (IRCM-2016-091) was approved for up to 20 subjects by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) in the Institute of Regenerative and Cellular Medicine on Feb. 25, 2016. Written informed consent for the clinical trial was obtained from all volunteers prior to baseline testing and the informed consent forms were approved by the IRB. The selection of subjects for the study adhered to NIH guidelines.

Consent for publication

Not applicable

Competing interests

BV is a cofounder, unpaid consultant, and equity holder in Centagen. YS does not have any declared competing interests. This does not alter the authors’ adherence to the policies on sharing data or materials.

Publisher’s Note

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Open AccessThis article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.

Authors’ Affiliations

(1)
Centagen Inc., 637 S. Broadway St., Ste. B-206, Boulder, CO 80305, USA
(2)
Medical Lab Consultants, 3507 Beethoven St, Los Angeles, CA 90066, USA

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