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More Light Shed on How Resveratrol Benefits Health

Administrator — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:15:29 +0000

A recent study published in the Journal Cell Metabolism sheds more light on exactly how resveratrol improves health. In the study, scientists at Harvard bred a group of mice (Knockout Mice) without the suspected anti-aging gene SIRT1. Resveratrol was fed to these mice, and also to a group of ‘normal’ mice with the SIRT1 gene.

The results of the study show that SIRT1 activation is responsible for many – but not all – of the benefits of resveratrol. Specifically, the Knockout mice without SIRT1 did not experience the metabolic, vascular, and anti-inflammatory benefits of resveratrol that the normal mice with SIRT1 did. However, SIRT1 was found not to be responsible for all of Resveratrol’s benefits. Both the Knockout Mice and normal mice enjoyed resveratrol’s positive effects of glucose and improved liver health.

Editor’s Note: There has been much wrangling in the scientific community in the past few years about how resveratrol works - Much of which has been between pharmaceutical companies with an eye toward harnessing resveratrol’s health properties. One company, Sirtris Pharmaceutical – which was purchased by GSK for over $700 billion – has focused its efforts on drugs that activate SIRT1. It appears –based on this study - that they are ‘on target’ so to speak. But this study also reveals that resveratrol is more than just a SIRT1 activator. As stated above, resveratrol, irrespective of SIRT1, improved glucose function and liver health. This begs the question – is resveratrol – a naturally found, non-patentable molecule – superior to the lab made molecules Sirtris Pharmaceuticals is developing? Is there a need for these single target lab made molecules if resveratrol does what they might do, and more? In any case, irrespective of this, these new chemical entity molecules that activate sirtuins are and will continue to be developed. To this editor, what is exciting is that there are seven members of the sirtuin family of enzymes – Sirtuins 1 – 7. SIRT1 (sirtuin 1), as this and many resveratrol studies have shown, is very beneficial (and essential) to healthy lifespan. SIRT3 and SIRT6 are also showing great promise in preliminary studies. But for now, and perhaps even 100 years from now, resveratrol is here for our benefit.

Three New Studies Show Resveratrol’s Ability to Fight Cancer

Administrator — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 04:37:28 +0000

Three New Studies Show Resveratrol’s Ability to Fight Cancer:

Two of the studies demonstrated that resveratrol compliments existing cancer treatments. Specifically, in one study, scientists at the University of Missouri School of Medicine found that resveratrol given in conjunction with radiation therapy encouraged prostate cancer cell apoptosis better than radiation therapy alone (apoptosis is a cell’s self destruction or preprogrammed death). Likewise, scientists in Brazil demonstrated that resveratrol given in conjunction with chemotherapy induced breast cancer cell apoptosis better than chemotherapy alone.

In another recent study carried out by the National Institutes of Health, scientists discovered that resveratrol might be a more effective and safer chemotherapy agent than those on the market today. According to the paper - which appeared in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - resveratrol killed rapidly dividing cells and selectively eliminated cancer cells that were resistant to multiple drugs. As such resveratrol was determined to be a “potentially better chemotherapeutic agent[s] than ones currently used.”

Editor’s Note: Hopefully resveratrol will continue to astound and will become a standard therapy for cancer patients in the near future. Current chemotherapy and radiation treatments have many negative side effects and their effectiveness often leaves much to be desired. In short, there is a clear need for a safer and more effective cancer therapy. Resveratrol might just hold the answers.

Can Resveratrol Overcome the Negative Side Effects of Widely Used Drugs?

Administrator — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 04:52:09 +0000

New studies constantly reveal negative side effects of both prescription and over the counter drugs.

As a result of recent studies revealing that statin drugs (e.g. brand names such as Crestor, Zocor, Lipitor etc.) can increase the risk of diabetes, memory loss, and confusion, the FDA announced that it plans to required pharma companies to warn the public on its labeling about these increased risks. According to one prominent cardiologist, Eric Topol at Scripps Health,"The diabetes issue is a really big deal. We're overcooking the statin use." As to confusion and memory loss, Amy Egan of the FDA stated "these cognitive changes can be quite dramatic" and "sustained". For its part, resveratrol has been found to decrease the effects of Type II diabetes in humans and improve metabolic function, as though the people taking the resveratrol were on a calorie restricted diet. Resveratrol has also been shown to improve blood flow to the brain [Studies are ongoing as to its ability to help the elderly with regard to brain function].

Another study revealed that popular prescription antidepressants and painkillers, and over the counter antihistamines (e.g. Tylenol PM, Advil PM, Aleve PM) block the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is imperative in brain function. As a result, people - especially the elderly – taking these medications can suffer from cognitive impairment and memory loss. Resveratrol, on the other hand, has been found to suppress an enzyme that destroys acetylcholine – as a result, it can increase acetylcholine.

As always, consult with your physicial when mixing prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, and/or neutraceuticals.

Does Alec Baldwin Need Resveratrol

Administrator — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 05:33:56 +0000

Recently, esteemed actor Alec Baldwin said on the David Letterman show that he had stopped 'eating sugar' because he has been diagnosed with pre-diabetes.

The editors of Resveratrol.com hope Mr. Baldwin has heard of resveratrol. For its part, resveratrol has been found to ameliorate pre-diabetes; specifically, a 150 milligram resveratrol pill (per day) has been shown to improve blood pressure, improve insulin sensitivity, lower blood sugar, and reduce fat in the livers of pre diabetic overweight humans.

How Does Resveratrol Work?

Administrator — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:32:34 +0000

A new study published in the journal Cell shed more light on how resveratrol works. The study, led by NIH biologist Dr. Jay Chung , revealed that (one way) resveratrol works is by blocking phosphodiesterase enzymes (for their part, these enzymes break down cyclic AMP and regulate cell energy). The end result is elevated levels of cyclic AMP. Down the line, sirtuins are indirectly activated. According to Dr. Chung, “Resveratrol has potential as a therapy for diverse diseases such as type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and heart disease.”

More Elderly People Forced to Work – Enter Resveratrol?

Administrator — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 04:05:02 +0000

A recent headline in the Wall Street Journal reads, “More Elderly Find They Can’t Afford Not to Work.” According to the article, 1.31.million Americans aged 75 or older are currently working – this is a 25% jump from 2005. This trend is likely to accelerate as there are 77 million baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) living in America currently. As such, according to the Wall Street Journal, the government estimates that 10% of Americans 75 and older will be working by 2018 (up from 7.3% now).

For its part, resveratrol likely could help these oldest working Americans by improving energy levels through increased mitochondria (the powerhouses of the cell), improving heart and endothelial function, and improving mental performance by increasing blood flow to the brain. (Please see Resveratrol.com for more information on these benefits)

It is unfortunate that these difficult economic times are forcing our most revered citizens (those seniors over 75) back into the workforce. Hopefully the seniors who must work will be educated to benefits of resveratrol.

Resveratrol Helps Humans Who Have Suffered a Heart Attack!

Administrator — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:33:16 +0000

Researchers have again demonstrated that resveratrol can be very healthy for humans. Specifically, Hungarian researchers in a placebo controlled, double blind study, gave 20 patients who had suffered a myocardial infarction (i.e. heart attack) one 10 mg. resveratrol pill per day for three months. Another control group of 20 people, who also had suffered a heart attack, were given a placebo for three months.

For their part, the patients receiving the resveratrol showed “significantly” improved left ventricle function, “significantly” lower LDL cholesterol, and “significantly” improved endothelial function. The control group did not.

Editor’s Note: This study again demonstrates that low doses of resveratrol – those achievable in a single supplement per day – can significantly improve the health of humans – especially those with heart problems and/or with pre-diabetes. For its part, heart disease kills nearly 18 million Americans per year. Moreover, about 290 million people worldwide have type two diabetes. And according to the American Diabetes Association, “Diabetes causes more deaths a year than breast cancer and AIDS combined. Two out of three people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke." In sum, there is definitely a BIG need for resveratrol.

Another Human Study Shows that Resveratrol Works!!

Administrator — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:26:10 +0000

Another human study has shown that resveratrol can have a positive effect on people with impaired glucose tolerance (i.e. pre diabetes). In the study, 1 gram/day, 1.5 grams/day, or 2 grams /day were given to human subjects – all of whom were nearly 72 years of age and who had body mass index scores indicating they were nearly overweight, overweight, or obese.

All of the subjects experienced improved insulin sensitivity and postmeal plasma glucose readings. There was also a positive trend towards better endothelial function. (Note: no difference was seen between the 1 gram dose and the 2 gram dose).

Editor’s Note: Several studies have shown that many people with prediabetes develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years of becoming prediabetic. It appears from this study, and others mentioned in Resveratrol.com, that resveratrol could very well be a very effective way to stave off the increasing number of people developing type 2 diabetes around the world. Of course, an improved diet and increased exercise can also help to stave off type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, sometimes these improved lifestyle choices are not attainable – either because the person too infirm to exercise, they do not have the desire, will, or time to maintain a better diet and exercise program, or because they do not have access to healthier food and/or drink. Resveratrol very well may benefit millions of people in this regard. It may also bring down staggering health care costs related to diabetes.

Diabetes and Blood Thinner Drugs Are Responsible for the Majority of Hospital Visits – Enter Resveratrol

Administrator — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 19:19:45 +0000

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shed light on what drugs are responsible for the majority of visits by senior citizens to emergency rooms. Surprisingly, widely used diabetes medications and blood thinners are the primary culprits – not the perceived ‘high risk’ medications such as painkillers.

Specifically, the study revealed that an astounding one third of senior hospital visits are related to the blood thinning medication warfarin (for its part, warfarin use must be monitored very closely as it can otherwise lead to dangerous bleeding. According to the study, bleeding due to warfarin costs the health system “probably hundreds of millions of dollars annually).

Further, injectable insulin (mainly for type one diabetics), diabetes pills (mainly for type two diabetics), and aspirin were responsible for another third of hospital visits.

Moreover, left unchecked, these hospitalizations are expected to grow as people live longer and take an ever increasing number of medications. (As of right now, 40 percent of people 65 and older take 5 to 9 medications, while 18 percent take 10 or more!).

The good news is, because we have identified these drivers for our ever increasing higher health costs, we can now address them. Specifically, not only can we better educate the public about how to safely take and monitor these potentially dangerous drugs, but we can look for alternatives ways to treat people.

For its part, the natural compound resveratrol might (at the least) be a partial answer to these hospitalizations (and their accompanying costs – both in human and monetary terms).

Specifically resveratrol has been shown to:

· 1) increase insulin sensitivity in people with type two diabetes and pre-diabetes; and,

· 2) prevent blood platelet aggregation (acting as a blood thinner, thereby helping to prevent strokes and heart attacks).

What makes resveratrol different than many of the above mentioned pharmaceutical drugs is that it is a natural substance with little known negative side effects. So, theoretically, one multi-tasking pill (Resveratrol) (not 5 to 10 pills!) could be given to seniors to help them control their blood sugar and prevent heart attacks and strokes – without the negative side effects and resulting hospital visits.

In this way resveratrol can help to control exploding health care costs plaguing the United States, and increasingly the world.

New Resveratrol Human Study Results are “Stunning”

Administrator — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:48:39 +0000

Dutch researchers have just released the results of a human resveratrol study in the journal Cell Metabolism.

In the study, 11 obese men were given one 150 milligram 99% pure resveratrol pill per day for a period of thirty days. The men experienced numerous indicators of improved health including improved blood pressure, improved insulin sensitivity/lower blood sugar, reduced fat in their livers, and cells that function more efficiently.

In sum, this relatively low dose of resveratrol had the same metabolic effect as a strict calorie restricted diet (calorie restriction – the process of eating a third less calories per day, while obtaining the proper nutrients, has been shown to extend lifespan). Further, there were no serious side effects reported.

According to the study’s lead researcher, Patrick Schrauwen, “This is very positive news," and "We need further studies, but I would advise people to use resveratrol”.

For his part, Dr. David Katz, the Director of the Prevention Research Center at the Yale University School of Medicine, called the results “stunning”. He stated, "There is at least reason to hope a meaningful anti-aging effect could be appreciated as well." "I rarely get excited by any one research paper. I am excited about this one."

Dr. Rafael deCabo of the National Institute on Aging echoed Dr. Katz's sentiments - “I think it’s very promising.” ”It’s very significant.”

Editor's Note: 5 years ago today, November 1, 2006, this was the title of a New York Times article "Substance in Red Wine Extends Life of Mice".