Just before the pandemic, Koen Ridder found himself on a journey he hadn't expected — one that would shape his future in the longevity space. After receiving a concerning health warning that felt age-related, Koen, still young and full of energy, knew he had to find a solution.
On a trip back from skiing, he stumbled upon David Sinclair’s audiobook, where he first learned about powerful molecules like NMN, Resveratrol, and Rapamycin, which showed promise in slowing the aging process. This moment sparked the idea for Purovitalis, a premium longevity brand focused on science-backed ingredients to support healthy aging.
With the support of his partners, Koen saw an opportunity in the untapped market for high-quality, transparent supplements that would give consumers access to these groundbreaking molecules. Purovitalis was born with a mission to combine EU production standards with clean labels, ensuring that their products stand out in the growing longevity industry.
Healthnews spoke with Koen Ridder, CEO of Purovitalis, to understand his passion for longevity, the science behind NMN supplementation, and his vision for the future of anti-aging.
Q: You are clearly very passionate about longevity. Where does this passion stem from?
A: As a former international badminton athlete, I have of course taken care of my body for many years. Now, it is a natural step for me to work in this field and maintain a high level of physical health, as well as help other people do the same.
Q: In June 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) took a significant step by including aging in its International Classification of Diseases. If aging is indeed a disease, what in your view is its cure?
A: I think at this moment a 100% cure is not available yet, but the whole industry and leading scientists are working hard to make this happen. My belief is that at this point in time, we have the steps to slow down the aging process.
Q: Can you give us a brief overview of Purovitalis and the vision that inspired its creation? What makes the brand stand out in the longevity space?
A: Just before the pandemic, I personally received a warning sign from my body (which looked like an age-related disease) that triggered me to completely dive in, as I was way too young and fit to have such issues.
On the way back from skiing, I listened to David Sinclair’s audiobook, where he repeatedly mentioned certain molecules and their benefits for aging and general health, such as NMN, Resveratrol, and Rapamycin. These are not all available to consumers, but I believed this would be a good market.
With my partners, we thought this was the right time to dive in and build a high-end longevity brand focused on the most premium ingredients validated by scientists. What makes us stand out is our EU production, clean labels, transparency, and formulations.
Q: Purovitalis seems to place a strong emphasis on liposomal drug delivery. What are the benefits of this method, and why is it a key focus for your products?
A: Liposomes have several benefits, as shown by clinical trials. For certain molecules, they enhance bioavailability, as these molecules would normally be very poorly absorbed — examples include Resveratrol and Quercetin. For other molecules, liposomes protect them since they are fragile.
Q: NMN is a prominent product in your lineup. For our audience, could you briefly explain the role of NAD+ supplementation in combating aging, and why NMN is your preferred choice of NAD+ precursor?
A: NAD+ stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a coenzyme that fuels a number of body functions, including DNA repair, strengthening defense systems, converting food into energy, and regulating the circadian rhythm.
NMN is shown to be the most efficient precursor to NAD+, which makes it a very interesting molecule for us.
Q: Do you recommend NMN supplements for all adults above a certain age? Are there any known side effects associated with long-term NMN use, according to current research?
A: Yes, NAD+ levels decline with age, starting from age 25. A very good diet, a perfectly managed sports plan, and most importantly, adequate sleep can help maintain reasonably good NAD+ levels. However, to be in optimal ranges, supplementing is key. To determine whether you are in a good position or have very low levels, we advise people to test their NAD+ levels. That is why we introduced the NAD+ test kit to our portfolio.
Q: When it comes to buying NMN supplements online, such as on Amazon, is it safe and effective, or is a special prescription necessary to ensure quality and authenticity?
A: Very good question. There are tons of suppliers in the market currently, but we are still the only ones who produce NMN in the EU. This is, of course, a huge advantage for consumers, as we follow strict production and safety regulations from the European Union. All other products mainly come from China (which doesn’t mean they are bad), but from a regulatory standpoint, China has different standards than we do.
Additionally, NMN is a costly molecule, so when you see offers that seem too good to be true, they most likely are. A study conducted by one of the scientists tested over 30 brands from the market, and 95% didn’t meet their label claims (meaning the product didn’t contain what was written on the packaging). In some cases, there was nothing inside the product.
This is very tragic for the market, as consumers get confused about what to buy. Therefore, with a few trusted brands, we are looking at how we can create a trusted seal so that consumers know when the seal is on, all tests are done, and quality is guaranteed.
Q: With advancements in anti-aging science, how far do you think we can push the boundaries? Do you foresee a future where living to 200 years old could become a reality?
A: At this point, it is very hard to predict, as we are in such an early stage of science, and new discoveries are coming out almost monthly. One of the most promising fields is the reversal of aging in organs and the brain. If we can truly reverse aging in these areas, we will have unlocked something amazing, and who knows where that could lead? However, we must be prudent, as science takes time and is very complex. For now, we need to focus on how we can optimize aging and improve our lives.
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