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More Evidence Emerges that Resveratrol Promotes Brain Health in Humans

Administrator — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 21:27:58 +0000

This time researchers at the University of Florida conducted a placebo controlled double blind human trial which concluded that resveratrol supplements not only significantly improved brain-blood flow (as indicated in a recent British study as well) but also significantly improved the study participant’s brain processing speeds.

Specifically, the study participants – all healthy senior citizens - either received a 300 mg. resveratrol supplement, 1000 mg. resveratrol supplement, or placebo per day. The participants received these amounts for 90 days. The 1000 mg. dose was more effective than the 300 mg. dose at promoting these effects.

Summing up the results, lead researcher and scientists at the University of Florida’s Institute on Aging, Dr. Steve Anton stated, “Our findings are supportive of a short-term course of Resveratrol supplementation for enhancing psychomotor speed and increasing hippocampal activation. We also observed exciting trends suggesting memory was improved." Moreover, Dr. Anton stated, “The results are very promising and show that Resveratrol may have a predictable positive impact on cognitive function in older adults."

Editor’s Note: With evidence mounting that resveratrol positively impacts brain health in humans, how long will it be before ‘modern medicine’ adopts resveratrol as a dietary supplement mainstay? Moreover, as the United State’s baby boomer population continues to age, that resveratrol positively impacts this demographic group – both in mobility/preventing falls and brain health -seems even more pressing.

Another Study Indicates Resveratrol Can Help the Elderly

Administrator — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 01:53:17 +0000

Recent research presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society reveals that resveratrol can help with senior mobility, thus preventing dangerous and costly falls and improving quality of life and productivity.

Specifically, in the study, the athletic performances of both elderly and younger mice were judged based on their prowess in crossing a balance beam. Not surprisingly, the elderly mice fared much worse than the younger mice (i.e. they fell from the balance beam much more often) when they were not fed resveratrol; but when they were given resveratrol supplementation, their performance greatly improved.

According to the study leader, Jane Cavanaugh, “Our study suggests that a natural compound like resveratrol, which can be obtained either through dietary supplementation or diet itself, could actually decrease some of the motor deficiencies that are seen in our aging population." She went on to conclude that resveratrol "…would, therefore, increase an aging person's quality of life and decrease their risk of hospitalization due to slips and falls."

Editor’s Note: The results of this study come as no surprise; Dr. David Sinclair’s lab has reported that resveratrol improves physical endurance in normal mice and mobility in overweight mice. What’s more, resveratrol is known to increase cell mitochondria – the power plants of cells - which helps to explain the increased strength and agility of the elderly mice.

But this begs the question, how long is it going to take before ‘modern’ modern medicine embraces resveratrol for seniors – as alluded above to improve mobility, but also to improve heart function, protect the brain and eyes, and to protect against/fight cancer and diabetes??

Resveratrol Extends the Lifespan of Another Species!

Administrator — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 16:54:10 +0000

In addition to fish, fruit flies, worms, and obese mice, resveratrol has now been shown to extend the lives of honey bees.

Appearing in the journal Aging, Norwegian scientists have demonstrated that two different doses of resveratrol increased the average lifespan of the wild honeybee by 38% and 33%, respectively (it should be noted that the lower dose – just 23% of the higher dose – was more effective at extending lifespan).

Note: more and more studies are showing that lower dosages of resveratrol (e.g. below 500 mg. per day) can be very effective at maintaining good health. These studies are flying in the face of earlier contentions that resveratrol must be taken in large doses (e.g. greater than 1000 mg./day) in order to achieve health benefits. For their part, resveratrol pill doses generally range from 50 mg. to 1000 mg. As such, both low doses and high doses of resveratrol can be obtained in just one supplement serving – this may be important because some believe that lower doses are suitable for general health maintenance and higher doses for the treatment of diseases such as cancer; studies delving into this are still ongoing.

Yet Another Study Showing Resveratrol Helps Type 2 Diabetics

Administrator — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 01:52:59 +0000

Indian researchers have revealed that resveratrol, given in combination with standard type 2 diabetes medications, improved glycemic control, blood pressure, and cholesterol in human patients.

The study, published in the Journal of Nutrition Research, enlisted 62 type 2 diabetic people – half of whom would consume a 250 mg. resveratrol pill/day for 3 months along with their standard type 2 diabetic medication, and the other half who would only receive the standard prescription medication, without the resveratrol.

The patients receiving the resveratrol exhibited significant improvements in Hemoglobin A1c (a marker that indicates long term excessive glucose in the blood), and significantly lower systolic blood pressure and cholesterol.

According to the study’s authors, “oral supplementation of resveratrol is found to be effective in improving glycemic control and may possibly provide a potential adjuvant for the treatment and management of diabetes”.

Resveratrol, Fountain of Youth? Depends on How You Define It

Administrator — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 03:24:01 +0000

Over the last few years there has been much controversy surrounding whether humankind has finally fulfilled its many millennia quest of finding the fountain of youth in resveratrol. The answer to this question primarily depends on how one defines ‘fountain of youth’; if it is defined as a substance that one with an advanced terminal illnesses (such as metastatic cancer) can take and immediately and magically be cured of the disease, resveratrol does not ‘fit the bill’. If however, it is defined as a substance that can help prevent/treat the diseases of aging, thereby allowing humans to reach their maximum possible life spans, resveratrol just might be the ‘fountain of youth’.

Numerous scientific studies – as illustrated in Resveratrol.com – show that resveratrol can fight the diseases of aging. Specifically, resveratrol has been shown to improve heart and endothelial function, fight various types of cancer, protect cell DNA, protect the brain and nervous system from various neurodegenerative diseases, and (last but certainly not least) prevent and help control type II diabetes. (And in numerous animal studies, resveratrol has infact been shown to increase lifespan - note: as the average human lifespan is measured in decades, proving that resvertrol increases human lifespan will take decades - are you willing to wait that long? Or can you?)

By preventing the diseases of aging, resveratrol (at the very least) most likely allows humans and animals alike to achieve their maximum possible life spans in a healty and and active manner. As such, resveratrol will likely revolutionize the way we view aging; that the average person can be active (e.g. play golf, bike) and contribute to society (eg. volunteer or work) well into their 90s, and live well into their 100's.

Human Study: Resveratrol Improves Heart Health and Decreases Inflammation

Administrator — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 02:05:30 +0000

Researchers have revealed the results of another study that shows resveratrol improves human health. Spanish researchers have shown that just 8 mg. of resveratrol, delivered in a grape complex supplement, “significantly improved the inflammatory and fibrinolytic status of patients” at high risk of cardiovascular disease – as reported in The American Journal of Cardiology.

In particular, the patients taking the resveratrol supplement experienced 26% lower levels of C reactive protein (“CRP”) – a reliable marker of inflammation. The patients receiving a sugar pill or a grape supplement without resveratrol did not experience these benefits.

According to the study’s authors, “In the present trial, the decrease in CRP…was correlated with decreases in TNF-alpha and PAI-1 values, which are also important markers in the onset of cardiovascular events.”

Editor’s Note: It is amazing that lower and lower amounts of resveratrol are being proved to be beneficial in humans. Whereas early resveratrol media coverage suggested that one would have to take mega doses of resveratrol to see benefits, recent studies have indicated otherwise. For instance, one recent study revealed that 40 mg. of resveratrol per day decreases inflammation and oxidative stress in humans. Another recent study revealed that just 10 mg of resveratrol/day significantly improved LDL cholesterol, endothelial function, and left ventricle function in human heart attack patients. This study, touting resveratrol’s benefits at just 8 mg., continues the trend supporting low dose resveratrol supplementation.

That 8 mg. of resveratrol can have positive benefits on human health should not be surprising however, considering the typical bottle of red wine contains about 8 mg. of resveratrol; the health benefits of red wine consumption are well established. But consuming a bottle or more of red wine per day can lead to many health risks due to alcohol content. So instead, low dose resveratrol supplementation appears to be a good option for general health maintenance and those with heart problems and diabetic issues.

National Resveratrol Alzheimer’s Study Underway

Administrator — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 03:32:05 +0000

Recruiting for a double blind study to determine whether resveratrol can help people with Alzheimer’s disease is underway at 26 medical-academic institutions around the United States. Half the patients will receive 2 resveratrol supplement pills per day and the other half will receive two placebo pills. The study will last for one year, with an escalating dosage given every three months. The dose for the final three months will be two 1000 mg. pills per day.

The study is being led by Dr. Scott Turner of Georgetown University and is being funded by the National Institute on Aging.

Editor’s Note: Resveratrol has been shown to help animals with Alzheimer’s disease – most likely by reducing amyloid-beta plaque in their brains. Drug maker Genentech has developed a drug, Crenezumab, which also reduces amyloid-beta plaque. Soon it will launch a five year study in Columbia to determine if this drug can help people predisposed – by genetic factors – to becoming afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease.

One has to wonder; if the above mentioned resveratrol study demonstrates that resveratrol helps Alzheimer’s sufferers to a significant degree, and if other studies prove that resveratrol prevents humans from getting Alzheimer’s disease, what will be the future of Genentech’s drug? Resveratrol, if effective, will surely be a cheaper and more widely available alternative – through supplements, functional foods, and the like. Only time will tell. Let’s hope both therapies help to end this dreadful disease that afflicts over 5 million Americans and many more worldwide.

Is Resveratrol The Superior Treatment for Macular Degeneration?

Administrator — Sat, 26 May 2012 21:16:49 +0000

A recent presentation at the Association for Research In Vision & Ophthalmology annual meeting brought into focus the potential of resveratrol to treat or prevent macular degeneration (for its part, macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in older adults – it affects the ability to see things clearly).

The presenter - Dr. Stuart Richer, Director of the Ocular Preventative Medicine Eye Clinic in Chicago – gave resveratrol based pills (brand name Longevinix) to 17 sufferers of macular degeneration - all who had tried, but were not helped by current therapies. Amazingly, 16 of these patients benefited from resveratrol – some in an astounding manner.

For instance, according to Dr. Richer, in one case the resveratrol supplement helped an 88 year old woman regain her ability to read and see faces in four days. The doctor also reported that a 75 year old male patient with worsening vision regained his prior vision in five days.

Editor’s Note: Although it should be considered that these are not results from a double blind large scale study, they are impressive none the less; especially considering that resveratrol can be taken orally, is widely available, and inexpensive. Compare this to the current therapies for macular degeneration – in short, they are draconian and expensive. Specifically, the ‘modern’ way to treat macular degeneration is to visit a specialized eye doctor and allow them to stick a syringe in your eye and inject the drugs Lucentis or Avastin. Anybody who knows someone who has gone through this procedure knows the trauma – emotional and physical (i.e. side effects) that it can cause.

What’s more, these therapies can be very expensive. For its part, a single dose of Lucentis is $1,950 dollars. Avastin, which one study concluded has a higher risk of complications than Lucentis, carries a single dose of $50. In any case, the question must be asked - If resveratrol therapy is far easier, cheaper, and possibly more effective (Dr. Richer’s patients were not significantly helped by Lucentis or Avastin but were helped by resveratrol) then why wouldn’t resveratrol become the standard therapy for macular degeneration treatment. After Dr. Richer’s findings, it would seem the federal government would push heavily for resveratrol studies to treat macular degeneration – especially considering that in 2010 macular degeneration treatment with Lucentis was the biggest expenditure in the pharmaceutical budget of Medicare Part B.

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.