What Is Resveratrol?

The Anti-aging Secret of the French Vineyard

What is Resveratrol?

Resveratrol is a powerful polyphenol found in high quantities in the skin, seeds, stem and vine of red wine grapes that exerts significant antioxidant properties. Red wine ferments for a longer time with these grape parts than white wine, which explains why red wine contains much higher quantities of Resveratrol than white wine. Indeed, the high concentration of Resveratrol in red wine is frequently cited to account for the “French Paradox”, the observation that the French, who are known for drinking moderate amounts of red wine, have relatively low rates of heart disease despite a diet rich in high-fat foods⁶. Other food sources of Resveratrol include dark grapes, purple grape juice, peanuts, raspberries, cranberries, and blueberries.

Resveratrol Supplements

People would need to consume a vast and virtually impossible amount of foods and red wine on a daily basis to receive the health benefits of Resveratrol. For example, people would need to drink about 1,000 glasses of red wine to receive the recommended daily dose of Resveratrol by Harvard researchers². Not surprising, Resveratrol supplements have exploded onto the market because they can supply the consumer with the health benefits of Resveratrol without the negative side-effects associated with red wine consumption such as calories. Indeed, a cross-sectional study found that supplemental Resveratrol is taken by ? of people who regularly consume multiple dietary supplements⁷. This explosion of Resveratrol research and media interest has resulted with an explosion of Resveratrol supplements that varying dramatically in quality and quantity. It is important to become an educated consumer, and below are some important questions to ask when examining the multitude of Resveratrol supplements available on the market.

How much Resveratrol should I take? Because no official recommended dose for Resveratrol and no government regulation of the supplement exists, distributors are free to sell and say just about anything about their Resveratrol-containing products. Not surprising, the Resveratrol in products varies dramatically with dosages ranging from less than 50mg to over 1,000mg, with the most commonly recommended doses being between 100mg to 500mg. With that being said, as we age, our ability to repair and renew cells diminishes. Thus, it is generally recommended that an individual increase the dosage with age. For example, in our 20s people may want to take 100mg, and increase the dosage to 250mg in their 30s, and 500mg in their 40s and beyond. Of importance, Resveratrol is not known to be toxic or cause adverse effects in humans⁸. For example, a recent trial that evaluated the safety of oral Resveratrol in ten subjects found a single dose up to 5 grams resulted in no serious adverse effects⁹.

Are the ingredients organic? Resveratrol is a molecule that is naturally produced by grapes to safeguard the grapes and vines from fungus, pathogens, and pests. Grapes that are protected with chemicals such as pesticides do not produce Resveratrol nearly as potent or powerful as what you will find with organic ingredients.

Does the supplement contain Trans-Resveratrol? Look for supplements that contain “trans” (not “cis”) Resveratrol because Trans-Resveratrol, the bioactive form of the Resveratrol polyphenol, has been scientifically proven to activate SIRT1 and enhance cellular productivity2. Trans-Resveratrol has also been shown to increase the number of mitochondria in cells, thus increasing energy capacity and enhancing sensorimotor function.

How “pure” is the Resveratrol? Make sure that the Resveratrol supplement does not contain fillers or additives such as sugar, starch, gluten, or artificial colors or flavors. These “other ingredients” make it easier and cheaper for the manufacturer to make the supplement, but have no health benefits. Look for purity in your Resveratrol supplement. This will ensure that your body only feels the Resveratrol, and not any of the undesirable side effects of artificial fillers.

How is the Resveratrol encapsulated? Resveratrol is subject to oxidation, which means it begins a rapid deterioration when exposed to light and oxygen, rendering the compound ineffective. To insure against this, Resveratrol must be encapsulated in an oxygen-free environment and then sealed in air-tight and opaque capsules and vials. This process will dramatically reduce the harmful and destructive effects of oxidation and light. Thus, make sure that the Resveratrol supplement states that it was manufactured in an oxygen-free nitrogen rich environment.

What is GMP? Finally, make sure the Resveratrol supplement is produced by Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) which are a series of general principles that must be observed during manufacturing. GMP is that part of quality assurance which ensures that products are consistently produced and controlled to the quality standards appropriate to their intended use and as required by the marketing authorization.

What kind of results should I expect? Of course the long term effects of increased lifespan and healthspan will take years to personally experience and scientifically verify in humans. However, anecdotally people often report after starting to take Resveratrol supplements an increase in energy, vitality, and mental acuity as well as the aesthetic benefits of improved skin, hair and nails.

Summary

The research on Resveratrol is so voluminous that it’s not possible to cover it in one article. In addition to the benefits mentioned previously, Resveratrol has been tested for its ability to stop pain¹⁰, stop the growth of the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers that can lead to cancer¹¹, protect immune cells¹², protect DNA13, protect against skin cancer¹⁴, and many other conditions. While Resveratrol has been subjected to extensive research and experiments, it will take some time yet to definitely confirm that all positive long term health benefits of Resveratrol will also affect humans in the same manner as it has in the laboratory and with animals. Preliminary human studies are promising and many clinical trials are underway. For example, Dr. Steve Anton at the University of Florida is leading a study that is examining the effects of Resveratrol on cognitive and physical health in older adults, and I am also studying the aesthetic and health effects of Resveratrol using a high potency Trans-Resveratrol formula with adult. Scientific, media, and public interest in Resveratrol is very high; and leading researchers in the field will come together this September at the first international scientific conference of Resveratrol and Health in Denmark to collect and summarize the scientific Resveratrol research. Indeed, we are on a quest to be “forever young” and emerging research will unravel the potential anti-aging effects of Resveratrol for humans.

references

1. United States Department of Health and Human Services. Administration on Aging (2008). Aging statistics. Rockville, MD. Available at http://www.aoa.gov/aoaroot/aging_statistics/index.aspx. Accessed: May 20, 2010.
2. Howitz, K. T., Bitterman, K.J., Cohen, H. Y., Lamming, D. W., Lavu, S., Wood, J. G., Zipkin, R. E., Chung, P., Kisielewski, A., Zhang, L. L., Scherer, B., & Sinclair, D. A. (2003). Small molecule activators of sirtuins extend Saccharomyces cerevisiae lifespan. Nature, 425, 191-196.
3. Kennedy, D. O., Wightman, E. L., Reay, J. L., Leitz, G., Okella, E. J., Wilde, A., & Haskell, C. F. (2010). Effects of resveratrol on cerebral blood flow variables and cognitive performance in humans: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover investigation. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 91, 1 – 8.
4. Kumar, A., Naidu, P. S., Seghal, N., & Padi, S.S. (2007). Neuroprotective effects of resveratrol against intracerebroventricular colchicine-induced cognitive impairment and oxidative stress in rats. Pharmacology, 79, 17-26.
5. Maroon, J. (2008). The longevity factor: How resveratrol and red wine activate genes for a longer and healthier life. Simon & Schuster: New York.
6. Liu, B. L., Zhang, X., Zhang, W., & Zhen, H. N. (2007). New enlightenment of French Paradox: Resveratrol’s Potential for cancer chemoprevention and anti-cancer therapy. Cancer Biol Ther, 6, 1833-1836.
7. Block, G., Jensen, C. D., Norkus, E. P., Dalvi, T. B., Wong, L. G., McManus, J. F., & Hudes, M. L. (2007). Usage patterns, health, and nutritional status of long-term multiple dietary supplement users: A cross-sectional study. Nutrition Journal, 6, 30
8. Almeida, L., Vaz-da-Silva, M., Soares, E., Costa, R., Loureiro, A. L., Fernandes-Lopes, C., Rocha, J. F., Wright, L., & Soares-da-Silva, P. (2009). Pharmacokinetic and safety profile of trans-resveratrol in a rising multiple-dose study in healthy volunteers. Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, 53, S7-15.
9. Boocock, D. J., Faust, G., Patel, K. R., SchinAS, A. M. et al. (2007). Phase I dose escalation pharmacokinetic study in healthy volunteers of resveratrol, a potential cancer chemopreventive agent. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention, 16, 1246 – 1252.
10. Torres-Lopez, J.E. et al. Comparison of the antinociceptive effect of celecoxib, diclofenac and resveratrol in the formalin test. Life Sci. 2002, 70,1669-76.
11. Mahady, G.B., Pendland, S. L., & Chadwick, L. R. (2003). Resveratrol and red wine extracts inhibit the growth of CagA+ strains of Helicobacter pylori in vitro. The American Journal of Gastroenterology, 98, 1440-1.
12. Yen, G.C., Duh, P. D., & Lin, C. W. (2003). Effects of resveratrol and 4-hexylresorcinol on hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative DNA damage in human lymphocytes. Free Radical Research, 37, 509-14.
13. Revel, A., Raanani, H., Younglai, E., Xu, J., Rogers, I., Han, R., Savouret, J. F., & Casper, R. F.. (2003). Resveratrol, a natural aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonist, protects lung from DNA damage and apoptosis caused by benzo[a]pyrene. Journal of Applied Toxicology, 23, 255-61.
14. Adhami, V.M., Afaq, F., & Ahmad, N. (2003). Suppression of ultraviolet B exposure-mediated activation of NF-kappaB in normal human keratinocytes by resveratrol. Neoplasia, 5, 74-82.