Liver doc calls Blueprint CEO Bryan Johnson a 'fraud', sparks debate

New Delhi: An online dispute has erupted between a well-known hepatologist from Kerala, Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, popularly known as "The Liver Doc," and biohacker Bryan Johnson, the tech entrepreneur behind the anti-aging program Blueprint.

The controversy began when Dr Philips publicly accused Johnson of being a fraud for promoting his anti-aging program, Blueprint. He compared Johnson to convicted fraudster Elizabeth Holmes and Australian influencer Belle Gibson, both of whom were exposed for misleading health claims.  

Liver Doc's allegations

Dr Philips recently took to social media to accuse Johnson of misleading the public with his anti-aging regimen. Comparing Johnson to infamous fraudsters like Elizabeth Holmes and Belle Gibson, Dr. Philips warned that the products promoted under the Blueprint brand are "expensive and utterly useless investigations" and "potentially dangerous snake oil supplements."

"It is terrifying that people do not see Bryan Johnson as actually a well-evolved masculine form of fraudsters Elizabeth Holmes and Belle Gibson, selling both expensive and utterly useless investigations and peddling potentially dangerous snake oil supplements in the name of BLUEPRINT," he wrote in his post on 'X'.

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He further differentiated John's products from other fraudsters' products like "The only difference: Elizabeth Holmes defrauded and took rich investors' money, but this gentleman is swindling poorly informed health and science Illiterates. While Belle Gibson told people she was dying, this gentleman is telling people he won't die and created a cult around not dying. She was lying, and he is too."

Bryan's response

In response, Bryan Johnson defended his Blueprint program, claiming that his supplements contain nutrients that have independent and robust scientific evidence and that they are tested by third parties. He pointed out that Blueprint’s products include extra virgin olive oil, proteins, nuts, and other nutrients. 

"Cyriac, why are you so angry? Who hurt you? Blueprint offers extra virgin olive oil, proteins, nuts, and nutrients that have independent and robust scientific evidence. They are third-party tested. The certificates of analysis are publicly available. They are affordably priced," he responded with a tweet. 

However, when Dr. Philips asked Johnson in private messages for clinical proof and correct dosage details, he did not get a response.

About Blueprint

Johnson reportedly spends over $2 million a year on his health program, which includes a strict vegan diet, intense workouts, and many supplements. Under the Blueprint brand, he launched the 'Blueprint Longevity Mix,' a supplement meant to improve sleep, reduce stress, and boost energy.

The Blueprint website states that its longevity mix is tested for purity and safety. “Our clean-testing standards ensure it’s as safe as it is effective, providing nutritional density without compromising on purity,” the website says. The Blueprint website claims that the supplement contains 13 active ingredients like "CaAKG, Creatine Monohydrate, Glycine, L-Theanine, reduced Glutathione, Calcium, and Magnesium." 

The website advises consuming the mix by adding one level scoop in water or consuming it with food. It also claims that the mix promotes stress relief, deeper sleep, enhanced muscle recovery, increased focus, and overall well-being.

Demand of scientific evidence

Dr. Philips publicly challenged Johnson, questioning the scientific validity of his supplement and the rationale behind its dosage formulation. He demanded proof of efficacy, safety, and longevity benefits, emphasizing the absence of dose-finding studies or clinically relevant evidence. 

He told Johnson, "For example, how did you come up with these doses? Where are the dose finding studies? Where is the efficacy and safety studies for these multiple supplements featuring multiple botanicals?"

Dr. Philips also questioned whether the mix truly helps people live longer. "Where is the proof that this mix actually increases life expectancy/ longevity? Is there a preclinical study in mice or primates or pigs? We will get to human studies later. At least proof of concept studies?" he asked.

Sharing screenshots of their conversation, Dr. Philips reiterated his concerns, calling Johnson a "modern-day snake-oil salesman" who misuses scientific terminology to promote expensive, unproven supplements. 

"but a modern day snake-oil salesman and a medical science illiterate using 'science-sounding' words, scamming people," the exact line used by Dr Philips. 

He also shared a link by the New York Times in which Johnson signed an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) with his employees. Further, he accused the tech entrepreneur of selling supplements like Ashwagandha and Rhodiola and terming them "age-defying."

Sharing a link about the perennial flowering plant Rhodiola, the liver specialist said that this supplement can cause serious side effects dizziness, dry mouth, excessive saliva, and in some cases, may worsen autoimmune conditions.

"Reports have shown that the additional consumption of Rhodiola rosea (golden root or roseroot) was suspected to have caused a herb-herb interaction resulting in the liver injury in patients," he said. 

Dr Philips also called out Baba Ramdev into the controversy. In the long post on 'X', he said, "You had recently criticized India's own national mascot of quackery and scam artist, Baba Ramdev. But you and him are the same. He's doing it the primitive way and loud about it, but you have a refined approach to scamming people. Have some shame and come clean. You are nothing but a smooth talking snake-oil peddling version of Baba Ramdev in the USA."

He concluded by saying, "I challenge you to prove BluePrint's clinically relevant evidence instead of giving me farts in the wind-tunnel responses."

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