Biotivia Blog
- Recent Articles
- Free Radical Theory Of Aging: Is Your Body Under Attack?
- The Biology of Aging: Implications for Diseases of Aging and Healthcare in the 21st Century
- Mike Adams Resveratrol Report
- Study Suggests That Resveratrol May Be Key In Ageing Process
- New Resveratrol Capsules Introduced In Britain
- Resveratrol shown in study to combat aging
- Resveratrol Popularity Grows Internationally
- Resveratrol May Lead to a Decrease in Body Fat
- Acai extracts show brain health and cognitive potential
- Biotivia Launch The World’s First Pterostilbene Supplement
Welcome To The Biotivia Blog
Featured Posts
A recent in-vitro study undertaken by researchers at Aarhaus University, in Denmark, has found that resveratrol may improve the metabolic [...]
How to pick the best Resveratrol supplement The exponential increase in demand for natural products that produce health effects comparable [...]
This is your brain on Bioforte A brand new peer reviewed double blind human clinical trial was published this month [...]
Dr. Doug Watt of the Harvard Medical School has been kind enough to allow Biotivia to post his latest Alzheimer’s [...]
Biotivia Bioceuticals, the leading manufacturer and distributor of Resveratrol based supplements and nutraceutical-enriched skin care treatments, has formulated a weight [...]
Only during the last decade has the process of human aging been understood as a disease that can be treated, [...]
Harvard Prof’s Ties to Supplement Maker Questioned
Tuesday, December 30th, 2008Another medical researcher is under fire for questionable financial ties. According to a recent report in The Wall Street Journal, David Sinclair, a professor at Harvard Medical School sat on the scientific advisory board of supplement maker Shaklee Corp., where he helped promote a product that claimed life-extending properties. Sinclair left his seat on the Shaklee board after the Journal raised questions about his support of the company’s Vivix Cellular Anti-Aging Tonic.
The ties between medical research have come under increasing scrutiny of late. Just last week, prominent researcher Charles Nemeroff agreed to step down as chair of Emory University’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, position he has held since 1991, following an internal investigation into his financial ties to drug makers. The university also said it would be restricting Nemeroff’s research and extracurricular activities.
According to The Wall street Journal, the school’s investigation found that Nemeroff failed to report to Emory more than $800,000 he received from GlaxoSmithKline for more than 250 speaking engagements from Jan. 2000 to Jan. 2006. According to the Atlanta Constitution-Journal, Emory’s investigation also found that Nemeroff received income from other drug makers, but Glaxo was by far his biggest patron.
In regards to Sinclair, the Journal reported that for six months, the Harvard researcher touted Vivix, which contains resveratrol, a compound found in red wine that may slow the aging process. According to the report, at a conference last summer, Sinclair told Shaklee salespeople that “over a year ago, we set out together to do this, to make a product that you could actually activate these genetic pathways that can slow down aging.”
The Journal also reported that Sinclair appeared on a Florida radio station with Shaklee’s chief doctor to promote Vivix. His picture also appeared on the website run by a Vivix sales rep. That site claimed that Vivix could repair skin injuries, erase age spots, quell tremors and eliminate leg cramps, the Journal said.
According to the Journal, few makers of dietary supplements can claim such backing from a prominent medical researcher.
After the Journal report appeared, Sinclair left Shaklee’s advisory board, and told the newspaper that the company had misused his name. But the Journal says Shaklee denies that, and claims that Sinclair approved the use of his name in advertising.
Even with his resignation from Shaklee, Sinclair has not shed all of his industry ties. According to The Wall Street Journal, Sinclair remains co-chief adviser to Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, now a division of Glaxo, which is also studying resveratrol for use as a drug. Dr. Sinclair received more than $8 million when Glaxo acquired Sirtris and the company pays him $297,000 a year as a consultant.
Harvard Anti-Aging Researcher Quits Shaklee Advisory Board
Saturday, December 27th, 2008A prominent anti-aging researcher quit the scientific advisory board of a dietary-supplement maker after six months.
Since August David Sinclair a professor at Harvard Medical School lent his support to a Shaklee Corp. Drink called the Vivix Cellular Anti-Aging Tonic.
Following questions by The Wall Street Journal about his seeming endorsement of the product Dr. Sinclair resigned from the board last week and now says his name has been misused in connection with Vivix which contains the antioxidant resveratrol.
Dr. Sinclair’s resignation ends a short period in which Shaklee’s anti-aging syrup could claim the backing of a prominent medical-school researcher.
Dr. Sinclair remains co-chief adviser to Sirtris Pharmaceuticals now a division of Glaxo SmithKline PLC which is also studying resveratrol for use as a drug. Dr. Sinclair received more than $8 million when Glaxo acquired Sirtris and the company pays him $297000 a year as a consultant.
Shaklee’s grape-tasting Vivix concentrate costs $100 for 30 teaspoons, a month’s supply.
Roger BarnettShaklee’s chief executivesays the company doesn’t claim that Vivix extends life — only that it affects certain processes inside the body’s cells.
In obtaining the backing of Dr. Sinclair this summer Shaklee scored a coup. Dr. Sinclair knows resveratrol in 2006 he led a study showing the molecule could counteract the ill effects of overfeeding laboratory mice. One notable benefit: resveratrol let overweight mice live about 114 weeks on averagecompared with 102 weeks without the chemical.
In August Dr. Sinclair joined Shaklee’s Scientific Advisory Board, a paid position, and enthusiastically introduced Vivix to the company’s sales force in New Orleans. He joined Shaklee’s chief doctor in a joint radio appearance and his picture and name are often used on Vivix sales sites run by Shaklee’s salespeople.
Shaklee declined to say how much it paid Dr. Sinclair to be on the advisory board. Both sides say he didn’t receive Vivix royalties.
Dr. Sinclair — who has a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular genetics but isn’t a medical doctor — now says he was misinterpreted. “I have submitted my resignation to Shaklee and exercised my right to terminate my agreement” he wrote in an e-mailed response to questions. “This decision was prompted in significant part by my recent realization as to how my association with Shaklee and my research have been used contrary to the intents and purposes of my agreement.”
“To my dismay I have found numerous uses of my name and reputation on the Web and in other media that implies endorsement by me of Shaklee’s Vivix product” he wrote. “I have engaged counsel to deal with this matter and have demanded that Shaklee cease using my name.”
A spokesman for Harvard Medical School said the school was also reviewing Shaklee’s use of Dr. Sinclair’s name and references to his Harvard affiliation which have appeared on its Web site and in promotional videos.
Shaklee sells its products through a network of 750000 “members” who work for commissions and recruit other salespeople — and handle their own marketing.
Shaklee says it forbids salespeople to claim Vivix affects any disease and refers noncompliant salespeople for “disciplinary action” which can include terminating their contract. “The vast majority of them are very circumspect” Mr. Barnett says.
