 |
There has been recent enthusiasm among health researchers and medical experts about a substance called "Resveratrol". We have received numerous inquiries about resveratrol, which is why we included a description of it in our book, The Great Life Makeover. However, even since the recent publication of the book, new research has emerged and many people continue to be unclear about what Resveratrol is and how it may play a role in health and wellness. Below are answers to common questions we've received.
|
Question: What is Resveratrol?
Answer: Resveratrol is a phytoalexin – a substance secreted by plants as a defense against pathogens (i.e. the organisms that cause disease). Resveratrol is found naturally in grapes, cranberries, blueberries, bilberries, peanuts and Japanese knotweed. It was discovered in the 1940s, but did not become famous until the early 1990s when it was found to be one of the heart-healthy ingredients in red wine.
Question: There have been several media statements about Resveratrol's anti-aging effects, what is that all about?
Answer: Studies have shown that resveratrol may have neuroprotective qualities that promote longevity and maximize cognitive function during the aging process. Sirtuins (SIRTs) are proteins that are distributed in all organisms. It is believed that resveratrol activates SIRT 1, which regulates longevity in many model organisms and is involved in several processes in mammalian cells including cell survival, differentiation, and metabolism.
Question: Can Resveratrol lower my risk of getting cancer?
Answer: The answer to this question is unknown, but Resveratrol has most recently been discussed as a promising phytonutrient for cancer prevention. While current human research is underway, most completed research studies have taken place in vitro or on laboratory animals. What is exciting is that these studies indicate that Resveratrol causes apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in cancer cells of test mice and rats. Furthermore, other laboratory studies suggest that resveratrol might enhance the effects of chemotherapy in several cancer types.
Question: Are there any potential health benefits of Resveratrol specific to men?
Answer: Resveratrol inhibits aromatase, a key enzyme in fat cells that promotes the formation of estrogen. This is important for men because excess estrogen in men can cause feminization effects, diminished sexual ability, body weight distribution changes, and also increased risk of prostate cancer.
Question: Are there any potential health benefits of Resveratrol specific to women?
Answer: Preliminary studies have suggested that resveratrol may have a protective effect against breast and possibly ovarian and uterine cancer. Other possible benefits like longevity, lean body weight, and better sugar metabolism are important for both women and men.
To learn more about dietary supplements that contain resveratrol, click here
.
References:
Ector BJ, Magee JB, Hegwood CP, et al. Resveratrol concentration in muscadine berries, juice, pomace, purees, seeds, and wines. Am J Enol Vitic. 1996;7(1):57–62.
Seimann EH, Creasy LL. Concentration of the phytoalexin Resveratrol in wine. Am J Enol Vitic. 1992;43:49–52.
Carluccio MA, Siculella L, Ancora MA, et al. Olive oil and red wine antioxidant polyphenols inhibit endothelial activation: antiatherogenic properties of Mediterranean diet phytochemicals. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2003;23:622–629.
Wallerath T, Deckert G, Ternes T, et al. Resveratrol, a polyphenolic phytoalexin present in red wine, enhances expression and activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Circulation. 2002;106(13):1652–1658.
Lagouge M, Argmann C, Gerhart Hines Z, et al. Resveratrol improves mitochondrial function and protects against metabolic disease by activating SIRT1 and PGC1-alpha. Cell. 2006;127:1109–1122
Orallo F, Alvarez E, Camina M, et al. The possible implication of trans-resveratrol in the cardioprotective effects of long-term moderate wine consumption. Mol Pharmacol. 2002;61:294–302.
Frankel EN, Waterhouse AL, Kinsella JE. Inhibition of human LDL oxidation by resveratrol. Lancet. 1993;341:1103–1104.
Manna SK, Mukhopadhyay A, Aggarwal BB. Resveratrol suppresses TNF-induced activation of nuclear transcription factors NF-KB, activator protein-1, and apoptosis: potential role of reactive oxygen intermediates and lipid peroxidation. J Immunol. 2000;164:6509–6519.
Hung LM, Chen JK, Huang SS, et al. Cardio protective effect of Resveratrol, a natural antioxidant derived from grapes. Cardio Res. 2000;47:549–555.
Das DK, Maulik N. Resveratrol in cardioprotection: a therapeutic promise of alternate medicine. Mol Interv. 2006;6:36–47.
Pace-Asciak CR, Rounova O, Hahn S, et al. Wines and grape juices as modulators of platelet aggregation in healthy human subjects Clin. Chim Acta. 1996;246:163–182.
Wang Z, Huang Y, Zou J, et al. Effects of red wine and wine polyphenol Resveratrol on platelet aggregation in vivo and in vitro. Int J Mol Med. 2002;9(1):77–79.
Bordone L, Motta MC, Picard F, et al. Sirt1 regulates insulin secretion by repressing UCP2 in pancreatic beta-cells. PloS Biol. 2006;4(2):e31.
Picard F. Sirt1 promotes fat mobilization in white adipocytes by repressing PPAR-gamma. Nature. 2004;429:771–776.
Guarente L. Sirtuins as potential targets for metabolic syndrome. Nature. 2006;444(7121):868–874.
Ector BJ, Magee JB, Hegwood CP, et al. Resveratrol concentration in muscadine berries, juice, pomace, purees, seeds, and wines. Am J Enol Vitic. 1996;7(1):57–62.
Seimann EH, Creasy LL. Concentration of the phytoalexin Resveratrol in wine. Am J Enol Vitic. 1992;43:49–52.
Carluccio MA, Siculella L, Ancora MA, et al. Olive oil and red wine antioxidant polyphenols inhibit endothelial activation: antiatherogenic properties of Mediterranean diet phytochemicals. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2003;23:622–629.
Wallerath T, Deckert G, Ternes T, et al. Resveratrol, a polyphenolic phytoalexin present in red wine, enhances expression and activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Circulation. 2002;106(13):1652–1658.
Lagouge M, Argmann C, Gerhart Hines Z, et al. Resveratrol improves mitochondrial function and protects against metabolic disease by activating SIRT1 and PGC1-alpha. Cell. 2006;127:1109–1122
Orallo F, Alvarez E, Camina M, et al. The possible implication of trans-resveratrol in the cardioprotective effects of long-term moderate wine consumption. Mol Pharmacol. 2002;61:294–302.
Frankel EN, Waterhouse AL, Kinsella JE. Inhibition of human LDL oxidation by resveratrol. Lancet. 1993;341:1103–1104.
Manna SK, Mukhopadhyay A, Aggarwal BB. Resveratrol suppresses TNF-induced activation of nuclear transcription factors NF-KB, activator protein-1, and apoptosis: potential role of reactive oxygen intermediates and lipid peroxidation. J Immunol. 2000;164:6509–6519.
Hung LM, Chen JK, Huang SS, et al. Cardio protective effect of Resveratrol, a natural antioxidant derived from grapes. Cardio Res. 2000;47:549–555.
Das DK, Maulik N. Resveratrol in cardioprotection: a therapeutic promise of alternate medicine. Mol Interv. 2006;6:36–47.
Pace-Asciak CR, Rounova O, Hahn S, et al. Wines and grape juices as modulators of platelet aggregation in healthy human subjects Clin. Chim Acta. 1996;246:163–182.
Wang Z, Huang Y, Zou J, et al. Effects of red wine and wine polyphenol Resveratrol on platelet aggregation in vivo and in vitro. Int J Mol Med. 2002;9(1):77–79.
Bordone L, Motta MC, Picard F, et al. Sirt1 regulates insulin secretion by repressing UCP2 in pancreatic beta-cells. PloS Biol. 2006;4(2):e31.
Picard F. Sirt1 promotes fat mobilization in white adipocytes by repressing PPAR-gamma. Nature. 2004;429:771–776.
Guarente L. Sirtuins as potential targets for metabolic syndrome. Nature. 2006;444(7121):868–874.