Resveratrol: Leaning toward the fountain of youth or just another marketing hype?

In a test tube, resveratrol does a great job of scavenging free radicals and other bad oxidants that lead us to get old, grumpy and sick. The question is how does resveratrol fare in a capsule, as a dietary supplement to keep both men and women sharp and healthy through the decades?

 

Resveratrol, which is found in red wine, is in the family of chemicals called polyphenols and are thought to provide protection from atherosclerosis, cancer and heart disease. They may also decrease the chances of getting Alzheimer’s and prolong life according to some studies.

 

Some people believe resveratrol may be the reason for The French Paradox, the fact that fewer people die of heart attacks in France even though they probably smoke more, drink more and eat a diet high in saturated fats (just think croissants, not McDonald’s).

 

In our bodies somehow other things happen when resveratrol gets introduced as a supplement. The anti-oxidant activity of resveratrol seems to be much lower than that of Vitamin C, Vitamin E or even Glutathione, but for reasons that are not exactly clear or scientifically proven for now people do feel better. Maybe it is the placebo effect at work, or maybe what science is showing in vitro, may actually apply in vivo.

 

In the presence of estrogens, like the ones our bodies make before menopause, or the ones we take in the form of biodientical hormones (estradiol), resveratrol appears to act in a cancer-protective fashion. In vitro, breast cancer cell cultures, resveratrol appears to attack the cancer cells in the presence of estradiol and not, when there is no estrogen around.

 

To get cells to turn to cancer cells, a biochemical reaction has to occur in the cell. Cytochrome P450 enzymes have to metabolize compounds to create a carcinogen. In preliminary studies, resveratrol protects the body from this transformation by increasing activity of the phase II enzyme NADPH which promotes elimination of potentially toxic or carcinogenic chemicals as well as stopping cells from growing haphazardly.

 

In translation, that means resveratrol may help protect us from cancer if in the proper environment.

 

Anti-inflammatory effects are also attributable to resveratrol along with its significant inhibitory effect on atherosclerotic plaque formation in a number of studies.

 

As for anti-aging: a recent study in mice (they are mammals after all) demonstrated that resveratrol altered gene expression in heart, brain and skeletal muscle similar to that created by calorie restriction as well as causing blunting of the natural age-related decline in heart function. There are clinical trials under way to determine the relevancy of these findings in humans but for now, this type of results even in mice, lead to an entire industry being built in a hurry. Remember, glucosamine and chondroitin? You probably take it still and believe it is making your aching joints better. You may be interested to know the studies were all done on dogs and only 50% of the dogs treated with the supplement actually had positive results on their arthritic joints. Not exactly a glowing endorsement, but it sure beats getting a bleeding ulcer from an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen.

 

Back to resveratrol.

 

While you could increase your intake of resveratrol by chewing on the skin of red grapes and downing gallons of red wine and boiled peanuts, you might consider taking a resveratrol supplement.

 

The supplements contain extracts of the root of Polygonum cuspidatum as well as red wine and grape extracts. The supplements may contain from 10-20 mg of resveratrol which is actually a very low dose of the active ingredient that does all good.

 

There are no known toxic effects of supplemental resveratrol in humans based on the few trials conducted and completed on the topic so far. The most recent trial found a dose of 5 gm a day was safe in humans. The most common dose is now around 300 mg/kg body weight which is very much lower and proof of safety for those concerned with over dosing.

 

During pregnancy I would not recommend women take resveratrol. You don’t need it. Suffice it to say, stay away from wine in general. There is no good reason to even consider it during pregnancy.

 

Resveratrol may increase bleeding in patients who take Coumadin or Plavix and even NSAIDs. The way to get around that problem is to follow your tendency to bleed with a simple blood test that will help you and your doctor properly balance of the drugs and the supplement. By the way, do tell your doctor about every supplement you take. You may think supplements aren’t medications so they do not interact. You would be very wrong. Everything interacts.

 

For now, resveratrol looks promising. There may be some hype associated with its promise, but I found no reason not to take it. Make sure you take it from a reputable source, since many supplements promise doses their capsules just don’t deliver. Just because the brand gets a lot of publicity doesn’t mean it is the best and just because it is discounted it doesn’t mean you are getting a bargain. Do your research and take the highest quality at reasonable prices.

 

Take your resveratrol and while it may turn out to be a great addition to your anti-aging, age management regimen, remember, it is only one piece of the larger puzzle of health.