Live Longer Live Healthier -- Resveratrol
Resveratrol Supplements Are Not Created Equal
Thousands have discovered how resveratrol supplements are the top anti-aging solution. Because of high demand, there are now more products on the market than ever. The bad news is that many of them are ineffective.
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Sunday, December 6, 2015
The science of stem cells
The science of stem cells
Dr. Nathan Newman, a world-renowned dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon, began searching for a topical treatment to help patients recovering from burns and severe injuries. Knowing that stem cells drive cell growth and regeneration, he isolated the stem cell growth factors that serve as the “language” communicating cellular activity. Although other scientists were using plant-based growth factors, Dr. Newman derived his growth factors from the stem cells of healthy adults, theorizing that cell communication in the same “language” would be more effective.
Today, with the Executive Order I am about to sign, we will bring the change that so many scientists and researchers; doctors and innovators; patients and loved ones have hoped for, and fought for, these past eight years: we will lift the ban on federal funding for promising embryonic stem cell research. We will vigorously support scientists who pursue this research. And we will aim for America to lead the world in the discoveries it one day may yield. At this moment, the full promise of stem cell research remains unknown, and it should not be overstated. But scientists believe these tiny cells may have the potential to help us understand, and possibly cure, some of our most devastating diseases and conditions. To regenerate a severed spinal cord and lift someone from a wheelchair. To spur insulin production and spare a child from a lifetime of needles. To treat Parkinson‘s, cancer, heart disease and others that affect millions of Americans and the people who love them.
What are adult stem cells?
What are adult stem cells?
Promote new cell growth
New cell growth is an essential part of life—it’s how we grow from child to adult. But as we age and our growing decelerates, so does the production of new cells. At the same time, our body’s cells themselves age and their functions begin to slow. When it comes to your skin, this can lead to a dull, sagging complexion on the outside and cells that can’t efficiently accept nutrients and remove toxins on the insideJeunesse Global has introduced the first two anti aging products based on this amazing adult stem cells technology.
Adult cells are undifferentiated cells found throughout the body that divide to replenish dying cells and regenerate damaged tissues.
Also known as somatic stem cells, they can be found in children, as well as adults. Research into adult stem cells has been fueled by their abilities to divide or self-renew indefinitely and generate all the cell types of the organ from which they originate – potentially regenerating the entire organ from a few cells.
Adult stem cell technology is dramatically expanding the horizons of skin care development. This revolution in the science of youth is made possible because of the intersection of bio-engineering technology and years of product formulation expertise.
The greatest abundance of stem cells in the body is in adipose (fat) tissue. In a hypoallergenic process, the stem cells are extracted from the adipose tissue and cultured in a nutrient-rich media which becomes infused with the characteristics of the stem cells.
Then extracted from the media using a sophisticated filtration process, leaving behind the actual stem cells
This stem cell media is then formulated with other state-of-the-art ingredients to create a “one of a kind” anti-aging facial serum, LUMINESCE™ cellular rejuvenation serum.
This serum has been formulated with regulatory proteins, cytokines and interleukins, which replicate those same elements in the human body. Since these proteins have the same attributes, whether in the body or in this serum, there is a perfect interaction between this extraordinary product and natural body processes.
The stem cell technology delivers more than 200 growth factors already found in natural skin. These growth factors and cytokines enter the pores of the skin then penetrate the epidermal barrier. The benefits are:
• restore your natural youthful luminosity, firmness, smoothness and elasticity of your skin.
• diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Check these videos about the Stem Cell.
How Much Can Human Life Span Be Extended?
How Much Can Human Life Span Be Extended?
When Jeanne Calment died in a nursing home in southern France in 1997, she was 122 years old, the longest-living human ever documented. But Calment's uncommon status will fade in subsequent decades if the predictions of some biologists and demographers come true. Life-span extension in species from yeast to mice and extrapolation from life expectancy trends in humans have convinced a swath of scientists that humans will routinely coast beyond 100 or 110 years of age. (Today, 1 in 10,000 people in industrialized countries hold centenarian status.) Others say human life span may be far more limited. The elasticity found in other species might not apply to us. Furthermore, testing life-extension treatments in humans may be nearly impossible for practical and ethical reasons.Some of these effects may not occur in other species. A worm's ability to enter a “dauer” state, which resembles hibernation, may be critical, for example. And shorter-lived species such as worms and fruit flies, whose aging has been delayed the most, may be more susceptible to life-span manipulation. But successful approaches are converging on a few key areas: calorie restriction; reducing levels of insulinlike growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a protein; and preventing oxidative damage to the body's tissues. All three might be interconnected, but so far that hasn't been confirmed (although calorie-restricted animals have low levels of IGF-1).Just 2 or 3 decades ago, research on aging was a backwater. But when molecular biologists began hunting for ways to prolong life, they found that life span was remarkably pliable. Reducing the activity of an insulinlike receptor more than doubles the life span of worms to a startling—for them—6 weeks. Put certain strains of mice on near-starvation but nutrient-rich diets, and they live 50% longer than normal.
Can these strategies help humans live longer? And how do we determine whether they will? Unlike drugs for cancer or heart disease, the benefits of anti-aging treatments are fuzzier, making studies difficult to set up and to interpret. Safety is uncertain; calorie restriction reduces fertility in animals, and lab flies bred to live long can't compete with their wild counterparts. Furthermore, garnering results—particularly from younger volunteers, who may be likeliest to benefit because they've aged the least—will take so long that by the time results are in, those who began the study will be dead.
That hasn't stopped scientists, some of whom have founded companies, from searching for treatments to slow aging. One intriguing question is whether calorie restriction works in humans. It's being tested in primates, and the National Institute on Aging in Bethesda, Maryland, is funding short-term studies in people. Volunteers in those trials have been on a stringent diet for up to 1 year while researchers monitor their metabolism and other factors that could hint at how they're aging.
Insights could also come from genetic studies of centenarians, who may have inherited long life from their parents. Many scientists believe that average human life span has an inherent upper limit, although they don't agree on whether it's 85 or 100 or 150.
One abiding question in the anti-aging world is what the goal of all this work ought to be. Overwhelmingly, scientists favor treatments that will slow aging and stave off age-related diseases rather than simply extending life at its most decrepit. But even so, slowing aging could have profound social effects, upsetting actuarial tables and retirement plans.
Then there's the issue of fairness: If anti-aging therapies become available, who will receive them? How much will they cost? Individuals may find they can stretch their life spans. But that may be tougher to achieve for whole populations, although many demographers believe that the average life span will continue to climb as it has consistently for decades. If that happens, much of the increase may come from less dramatic strategies, such as heart disease and cancer prevention, that could also make the end of a long life more bearable.
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/309/5731/83.full
Friday, October 23, 2015
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Why resveratrol is an effective acne killer
Why resveratrol is an effective acne killer
Resveratrol is a natural phytoalexin found in foods. Red wine is famous for its resveratrol content, but you can also find it in peanuts, red grapes, mulberries and dark chocolate. A phytoalexin is merely a specific class of antioxidants, one that has specific medicinal properties…
…and it’s because of these properties that resveratrol has attracted a ton of attention recently. It’s pointed out that the world’s oldest living woman ever, Jeanne Calment ate lots of dark chocolate and red wine every day. Hence, resveratrol is marketed as a miracle by supplement companies for extending your lifespan. Importantly for us, resveratrol has many other medicinal powers that can potentially improve your acne.
Firstly, there’s a very interesting story behind resveratrol:
Decreased inflammation
Resveratrol reduces oxidative stress
Resveratrol Supplements
Resveratrol Supplements
Resveratrol is a member of a group of plant compounds called polyphenols. These compounds are thought to have antioxidant properties, protecting the body against the kind of damage linked to increased risk for conditions such as cancer and heart disease. Resveratrol is found in the skin of red grapes, but other sources include peanuts and berries.
Because resveratrol is thought to have so many health benefits, it's not surprising that a number of manufacturers have tried to capitalize by selling resveratrol supplements. Most resveratrol capsules sold in the U.S. contain extracts from the Japanese and Chinese knotweed plant Polygonum cuspidatum. Other resveratrol supplements are made from red wine or red grape extracts.
Recommended Related to Heart Disease
This "powerhouse" tops the list, says Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD/LD, WebMD's director of nutrition. And Lisa Hark, PhD, RD, says, "Blueberries are not only delicious but are also rich in antioxidants." Hark is co-author, with Darwin Deen, MD, of Nutrition for Life: The No-Nonsense, No-Fad Approach to Eating Well and Reaching Your Healthy Weight. According to the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, researchers believe that the antioxidants in blueberries work to reduce the buildup of "bad" LDL cholesterol...
Ads touting resveratrol supplements on the Internet promise purchasers everything from weight loss to a healthier, longer life. The question is, do resveratrol supplements really deliver on those promises, or are they nothing more than marketing hype?
Note: absorbption and high dose is the key to make it effective and bring amzing results.
Benefits of Resveratrol
Resveratrol has gained a lot of attention for its reported antiaging and disease-combating benefits. Early research, mostly done in test tubes and in animals, suggests that resveratrol might help protect the body against a number of diseases, including:
Heart disease. Resveratrol helps reduce inflammation, prevents the oxidation of LDL "bad" cholesterol, and makes it more difficult for platelets to stick together and form the clots that can lead to a heart attack.
Cancer. Resveratrol is thought to limit the spread of cancer cells and trigger the process of cancer cell death (apoptosis).
Alzheimer's disease. Resveratrol may protect nerve cells from damage and the buildup of plaque that can lead to Alzheimer's.
Diabetes . Resveratrol helps prevent insulin resistance, a condition in which the body becomes less sensitive to the effects of the blood sugar-lowering hormone, insulin. Insulin resistance is a precursor to diabetes.
Rodent studies suggest that resveratrol might even help against some of the effects of an unhealthy lifestyle and lead to increased longevity. Resveratrol-treated mice fed a high-calorie diet lived longer than similarly fed mice not given resveratrol. Resveratrol protected mice fed a high-calorie diet from obesity-related health problems by mimicking the effects of caloric restriction.
Resveratrol has also been linked to prevention of age-related problems such as heart disease and insulin resistance. Researchers believe that resveratrol activates the SIRT1 gene, a biological mechanism that seems to protect the body against the harmful effects of obesity and the diseases of aging.
Side Effects
Because there have been very few studies conducted on resveratrol in humans, doctors still can't confirm any benefits, and they don't know what effects these supplements might have on people over the long term. So far, studies have not discovered any severe side effects, even when resveratrol is taken in large doses. However, resveratrol supplements might interact with blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen, increasing the risk for bleeding.
Like other supplements, resveratrol isn't regulated by the FDA, so it's difficult for consumers to know exactly what they're getting when they buy a bottle, or whether the product is actually effective. There also isn't any specific dosage recommendation, and dosages can vary from supplement to supplement.
The dosages in most resveratrol supplements are typically far lower than the amounts that have been shown beneficial in research studies. Most supplements contain 250 to 500 milligrams of resveratrol.
To get the equivalent dose used in some animal studies, people would have to consume 2 grams of resveratrol (2,000 milligrams) or more a day.
The bottom line: Until more high-quality research is available, experts do not recommend resveratrol supplements for antiaging or disease prevention.
What is the best of Resveratrol in the market?
Resveratrol shows anti-diabetes potential: Study
Resveratrol shows anti-diabetes potential: Study
By Stephen Daniells, 21-Apr-2011
Daily supplements of resveratrol may improve how the human body responds to insulin, the hormone responsible for sugar and fat metabolism, Hungarian researchers report for the first time.
Resveratrol
Resveratrol
What is Resveratrol?
Resveratrol is a chemical compound that is a member of a family of polyphenols called viniferins. The compound was first isolated from the roots of Veratrum grandiflorum (white hellebore). The chemical name for resveratrol is trans-3,4,5'-trihydroxystilbene (or also 3,4',5-stilbenetriol). Resveratrol is also a phytoalexin ("defender of the plant"). Phytoalexins are antimicrobial substances synthesized de novo by plants that accumulate rapidly at areas of pathogen infection. Resveratrol is produced in plants via the action of the enzyme stilbene synthase not only in response to pathogen invasion but also in response to ozone exposure, heavy metals, sunlight, and changes in climate. Resveratrol exists in nature in both the trans- and cis-stereoisomeric forms with heat and ultraviolet radiation inducing the trans– to cis– isomerization. Both the cis– and the tans– forms of resveratrol exhibit the same level of biological activity. However, in studies on the biological effects of resveratrol it is the trans– form that is most used.
Structure of Resveratrol
The range of action of resveratrol is broad. This compound has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, anti-tumorigenic, and anti-aging effect. In addition, resveratrol inhibits platelet aggregation, a process required for blood coagulation, and as such plays a significant role in the cardioprotective activities of the compound. Resveratrol also acts as a phytoestrogen. Phytoestrogens are plant-derived compounds that can either mimic or inhibit the female sex hormone, estrogen.
There are multiple intracellular targets of resveratrol which lead to alterations in cell growth, inflammation, apoptosis (programmed cell death), angiogenesis (the growth of new blood vessels), and metastasis and invasion of cancer cells. Perhaps the most striking effect of resveratrol is the ability of this compound to induce the processes that result in longevity in various model organisms (and presumably humans). The longevity-inducing effects of resveratrol are similar to those that result from calorie restriction. Many of the activities of resveratrol are of an anti-oxidant nature. However, increasing evidence demonstrates that resveratrol also exhibits pro-oxidant activities that result in oxidative DNA damage leading to apoptosis and cell death. This latter activity is related to the potential anti-cancer mechanisms of resveratrol (see below).
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Where do I get Resveratrol?
Resveratrol and related types of polyphenols are antioxidants that are enriched in grapes and red wines. The Vitis vinifera (common grape vine), Vitis labrusca (Fox grape), and Vitis rotundifolia (muscadine) grapes contain high concentrations of resveratrol. Vitis vinfera is commonly found in the Mediterranean region, central Europe, and southwestern Asia from Morocco and Spain north to southern Germany and east to northern Iran. Vitis labrusca is native to the eastern United States and is the source of Concord grapes, as well as Catawba grapes, Niagara grapes, and Delaware grapes. Vitis rotundifolia is native to the southeastern United States and is cultivated for wine, juice and jelly production.
Fungal infections in grape plants occur with higher frequency in areas of cool climate. Thus, grapes grown in regions of cool climate have high concentrations of resveratrol. However, since ultraviolet radiation from the sun also induces the synthesis of resveratrol, grapes grown in equatorial regions also have high concentrations of resveratrol. Red wines of differing origins contain from 0–18 micrograms per milliliter (μg/ml) of trans-resveratrol with the level of cis-resveratrol ranging from 0–5μg/ml. Muscadine grapes can contain up to 40 times more resveratrol than common grapes. Examples of the differences in resveratrol content in red wines can be seen in a comparison of Brazilian red wines which contain 18μg/ml, Australian Pinot Noir with 13μg/ml, and Swiss reds that contain only 2–3μg/ml. In addition, depending upon the location the same kind of grapevine yields significantly different levels of resveratrol in the wines produced. The Cabernet Sauvignon wines produced in Trentino, Italy contain up to 7μg/ml, whereas the same wines from Napa Valley in California yield only 0.09μg/ml.
Also, although the major difference between red wines and white wines is that in the production process the grape skins are removed in the making of white wines, there are still antioxidant compounds in white wines. However, the level of resveratrol in white wines is low. The major antioxidant compounds in white wines are tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol both of which can induce the anti-aging pathways that are activated by resveratrol.
Of potential clinical significance is the difference in bioavailability of resveratrol obtained from different preparations of grape products. Whereas, the resveratrol content of grape juice can be very high, the concentration of trans-resveratrol found in the blood after grape juice consumption is negligible. This latter fact is related to the absence of ethanol (alcohol) in grape juices and other non-wine sources of resveratrol. When resveratrol is conjugated to compounds that increase its water solubility and thus, presumably its bioavailability, high levels of resveratrol are still not observed in the blood. This is due to the fact that most of the conjugated compound is excreted in the urine.
It is also important to note that there are hundreds of antioxidant compounds in the skin and seeds of grapes and that resveratrol is not the only beneficial polyphenolic compound. The polyphenolic antioxidant compounds in grape skins and seeds consist of the flavonoids and the nonflavonoids. Resveratrol belongs to the nonflavonoid class which also includes the hydroxycinnamates (caffeic, caftaric, and coutaric acids), and the hydroxybenzoates. The polyphenolic flavonoids consist of the flavonols (quercetin and myricetin), flavanols or flavan-3-ols (catechin and epicatechin), and anthocyanins. These compounds are discussed in more detail in the Antioxidants page.
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Resveratrol and Heart Health
Resveratrol consumption is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and peripheral vascular disease. The cardioprotective effects of resveratrol are exerted at relatively low doses in the range of 2.5–5.6 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day (mg/kg/day). The beneficial effects of resveratrol on the vascular system are many. One major effect of resveratrol in the blood is the prevention of oxidation of low density lipoproteins (LDLs, the so-called "bad" cholesterol). Oxidized LDLs contribute significantly to the development of athersclerosis (plaques in the vessels). Additionally, resveratrol exhibits an ability to reduce platelet and monocyte (a type of white blood cell) adhesion to the walls of blood vessels. When platelets and monocytes adhere to vessel walls they induce the coagulation of blood which forms a clot. The clot can break off the vessel wall and flow to an area of constriction in the vessel where the clot cannot pass. The clot then occludes the vessel so blood does not flow leading to death of the tissue surrounding the vessel. These types of events are called embolisms and they can lead to heart failure, death of regions in the brain as well as lung impairment.
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Resveratrol and Aging Processes
Calorie restriction has been shown to promote longevity in many different organisms from the simple round worm to rats and mice. In studies on the effects of calorie restriction it has been shown that life spans can be increased by as much as 40%. The pathway to longevity, induced by calorie restriction, involves the activation of the function of a protein encoded by a gene called SIRT1.
SIRT1 or sirtuin 1 is the homolog of the yeast (S. cerevisiae) Sir2 gene (Sir refers to Silent mating type Information Regulator). SIRT1 is a member of the sirtuin family of proteins (seven members in humans; SIRT1 through SIRT7) that are characterized by a sirtuin core domain and grouped into four classes. The yeast sirtuin proteins are known to regulate life-span extension, epigenetic gene silencing and suppress recombination of ribosomal DNA (rDNA).
SIRT1 is an NAD+-dependent deacetylase that modulates the activities of proteins that are in pathways downstream of the beneficial effects of calorie restriction. SIRT1 catalyzes a reaction where hydrolysis of NAD+ is coupled to the deacetylation of acetylated lysines in target proteins. These target proteins include histones, transcription factors and transcription factor co-regulators. The NAD+ is hydrolyzed to nicotinamide (which is a strong inhibitor of SIRT1 activity) and O-acetyl-ADP ribose.
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Resveratrol as an Anti-Cancer Agent
Phytochemicals, such as resveratrol, are deemed useful as potential anti-cancer/therapeutic agents if they can restore normal growth control to cancerous cells by modulating aberrant signaling pathways and/or by inducing apoptosis (a cellular process of programmed cell death) and by targeting the biochemical and physiological pathways that are involved in tumor development. The potential for resveratrol to act as an anti-cancer agent was first published in 1997. Since then the compound has been shown to have relatively low toxicity while exhibiting the capacity to target multiple signaling proteins that promote cancer cell survival and tumor growth. Although it is not important to know or understand the function of each of the genes/proteins indicated in the Table below, the purpose of the Table is to demonstrate the broad range of activities of resveratrol in treating cancer.
| Cancer Type | Genes and Pathways Targeted | Effect(s) |
| Breast | p53, PTEN, p27, p21, p70S6K, pS6RP, Src-Stat3, Akt, Bcl2, NF-κB, calpain, MMP-9, cyclin D, Cdk4, ribonucleotide reductase, CYP1A1, telomerase; nitric oxide (NO) production, reactive oxygen species (ROS) | apoptosis, growth arrest, cell migration |
| Prostate | Caspases-3 and -9, p53, p21, p27, Bax, Bak, Bid, Bad, MKP5, PI3K, Akt, cyclins B/D1/E, Cdk1/4, Bcl2, Src-Stat3, ROS | apoptosis, cell viability, proliferation rate, cell-cycle arrest |
| Colon | AMPK, cathepsin D, caspase-2, cytochrome c, ATF3, Cdk7, p34Cdc2; ROS | apoptosis, cell growth |
| Pancreatic | MIC-1, cytochrome c, caspase-3, Src-Stat3, NF-κB | apoptosis, cell growth |
| Ovarian | Cdc2, ATM/ATR, chk1/2, Cdc25C, H2A.X, Akt, HIF-1a, VEGF | autophagocytic death, cell-cycle arrest |
| Thyroid | p53, c-fos, c-jun, p21 | apoptosis |
| Multiple myeloma | c-fms, CD14, CD11a, 1,25(OH)2D3 nuclear receptor (VDR), Bax, Apaf-1, Cathepsin K, RANK, NFATc1, NF-κB (nuclear translocation), Bcl2, Bcl-x(L), XIAP, Mcl-1, MMP-2, MMP-9 | apoptosis |
| Leukemia | NO | apoptosis, cell growth |
| B-cell lymphoma | p27, p53, CD69, BCL6, Myc, Akt, p70S6K | apoptosis, cell-cycle arrest, glycolysis |
| Squamous cell carcinoma | p21, p27, Cyclins A/E/D1/D2 Cdk2/4/6, pRb, MEK1, pERK1/2, c-Jun, AP-1, HIF-1α, VEGF, Akt, E2F1-5, DP1/2 | cell-cycle arrest |
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Resveratrol and Treatment of Diabetes
Principal pathways involved in glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity are affected by SIRT1 activity. In skeletal muscle, a major site of insulin-induced glucose uptake, SIRT1 and AMPK work in concert to increase the rate of fatty acid oxidation in periods of decreased nutrient availability.The effects of resveratrol have been shown to increase mitochondrial content, ameliorate insulin resistance and prolong survival in laboratory mice fed a high-fat diet. Recent studies on the action of SIRT1 agonists have demonstrated that compounds that activate SIRT1, but that are structurally unrelated to resveratrol, also improve insulin sensitivity in adipose tissue, liver and skeletal muscle resulting in lower plasma glucose. The actions of these compounds in laboratory studies indicate the potential efficacy of a therapeutic approach to type 2 diabetes that includes activators of SIRT1 activity.
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Content get from : http://supplementscience.org/resveratrol.html
We use sample way to describle the Resveratrol:
Resveratrol is a substance that is produced by several plants. It is found in varying amounts in the skin of grapes (depending on variety and color), berries including blueberries, raspberries, bilberries, and cranberries, in peanuts, Scots and eastern white pine, and Japanese knotweed. Red wine also contains high levels of resveratrol, mainly in the skin and pulp.
Resveratrol is produced as an antifungal chemical in many plants. It is produced in the plant to respond to an invading fungus stress, injury, infection or ultraviolet irradiation.
Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant which has been scientifically proven to reduce oxidative stress. In addition to reducing free radical damage, Resveratrol studies are showing that this key ingredient may also:
• Enhance cell function
• Boost energy levels
• Reduce carbohydrate utilization
• Increase metabolism
• Lose weight and burn fat – a very healthy way
• Improve your heart health – as it has promising heart – healthy benefits
• To sleep better – wake up feeling great every day with increased levels of energy
• Live healthier and longer – by taking possibly the best anti-aging supplement yet discovered
• Slow or stop progression of breast cancer
• Improve prostate health and urine flow
How much can you drink?
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Resveratrol May Offer Protection Against Alzheimer’s
By Dr. Mercola
Resveratrol is an antioxidant found in a number of plants, including grape skins, raspberries, mulberries, pomegranate, and raw cacao, and is known to have a number of beneficial health effects.
It belongs to a family of compounds known as polyphenols, which is produced by plants to increase their survival and resistance to disease during times of stress, such as excessive ultraviolet light, infections, and climate changes.
When you consume it, you can reap similar protection.
Indeed, resveratrol is known to combat damaging free radicals in your body, and health benefits include general life extension, and the prevention of cancer,1 Alzheimer’s disease, and depression.
Resveratrol is found in abundance in red wine.2 Because it’s highly soluble in alcohol, your body may absorb more of it from red wine than from other sources.
Despite that, I do not suggest drinking large amounts of red wine, as alcohol in and of itself is neurotoxic and can damage your brain and other organs. I believe there are far healthier sources for this potent free radical scavenger than wine.
Muscadine grapes, for example, have the highest concentration of resveratrol in nature because of their extra thick skins and numerous seeds, in which resveratrol is concentrated.
Resveratrol Has Neuroprotective Effects
Over the years, a number of studies have suggested resveratrol has neuroprotective effects, and may even slow the onset or progression of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.
The latter is the second most common type of dementia after Alzheimer’s, and accounts for 20 to 30 percent of all cases. This form of dementia is caused by blocked or reduced cerebral blood flow, resulting in your brain cells being chronically deprived of oxygen and vital nutrients.
A number of different mechanisms and properties contribute to resveratrol’s neuroprotective influence.
One of the special properties of resveratrol is its ability to cross your blood-brain barrier, which allows it to moderate inflammation in your central nervous system. This is significant because CNS inflammation plays an important role in the development of neurodegenerative diseases.
Resveratrol has also been shown to improve cerebral blood flow, which is part of its protective effects against vascular dementia, as well as stroke. A 2010 study3 found that even one single dose of resveratrol can improve blood flow to your brain.
Previous research4 has also found resveratrol improves learning and memory in rats with vascular dementia by reducing oxidative stress in their brains.
Another 2010 study5 found that resveratrol suppresses inflammatory effects in certain brain cells (microglia and astrocytes) by inhibiting different pro-inflammatory cytokines and key signaling molecules.
Studies also show that resveratrol may prevent the formation of plaque in your brain that leads to Alzheimer’s disease.
Resveratrol Helps Prevent Hallmark Plaques Associated with Alzheimer’s
Research6 published in 2005 concluded resveratrol exerts “potent anti-amyloidogenic activity.”
Most recently, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study7,8,9,10,11 found that resveratrol, taken in highly concentrated doses, appears to stabilize levels of amyloid-beta and prevent further buildup of the protein in the brain, thereby slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
In this trial, half of the participants were given up to 1,000 mg of resveratrol concentrate daily — equivalent to the resveratrol contained in about 1,000 bottles of red wine. The other half received a placebo.
All had been diagnosed with mild or moderate Alzheimer’s disease at the onset of the study. At the end of one year, the treatment group showed no change in amyloid-beta levels in their brains, spinal fluid, or blood, which was a good sign.
Meanwhile, the placebo group showed signs of typical disease progression, including a decline in amyloid-beta in their blood and spinal fluid. It’s thought that this reduction is due to the protein being removed from other parts of the body and deposited in the brain instead.
As reported by Market Business:12
“In patients with Alzheimer’s, amyloid-beta levels decrease in the cerebrospinal fluid, while deposits of the substance increase in the brain, where it becomes insoluble.
These insoluble plaques are a hallmark of the disease, which eventually leads to the death of nerve cells in the brain.
‘Somehow, resveratrol is affecting cerebrospinal amyloid levels,’ Dr. R. Scott Turner... told FoxNews.com. ‘We don’t quite fully understand why or how, but [we] think it may be related to sirtuins.’”
Resveratrol Produces Effects Similar to Calorie Restriction
Incidentally, sirtuins are proteins activated by calorie restriction, and are thought to play a role in the regulation of skeletal muscle mitochondrial function.
Studies13 on animals have shown that long-term calorie restriction effectively helps prevent age-related diseases, including Alzheimer’s, so this is an intriguing link.
That said, since the chief goal of this latest study was to evaluate the safety of high-dose resveratrol, additional research is required to determine whether, and to what degree, resveratrol might actually prevent mental decline.
The study did note some promising signs of cognitive benefit though. As reported by CNN:14
“Even for the relatively small number of participants in the study, the researchers did see indication that resveratrol could improve cognition.Interestingly, resveratrol appears to produce biological effects similar to those of calorie restriction in another way as well. A study15 published in the March 2013 issue of Science demonstrates that resveratrol directly flips on a gene that stimulates production of a protein called SIRT1, which prevents disease by recharging your mitochondria (the little powerhouses inside your cells). As it turns out, calorie restriction and resveratrol exert the same effect on this SIRT1 protein.
Patients in this group had slight improvements in their ability to carry out daily tasks, such as remembering to brush their teeth. And anecdotally, patients who took resveratrol told the researchers that they felt like they were maintaining their mental ability.”
Other Health Benefits of Resveratrol
Resveratrol is often referred to as “the fountain of youth” due to its wide-ranging health benefits. More than 600 scientific studies16 have found beneficial effects, covering more than 340 different diseases. In broad strokes, resveratrol has been found to exert the following actions and functions:
Its anti-cancer properties are also well known, but many of resveratrol’s benefits appear to be related to its superior ability to reverse oxidative stress and quench inflammation. It does this by preventing your body from creating two molecules known to trigger inflammation – sphingosine kinase and phospholipase D.
- Broad-spectrum antimicrobial
- Anti-infective
- Antioxidant
- Cardio-protective
- Neuroprotective
Resveratrol May Be Helpful Against Depression
Inflammation is also thought to be a main player in depression. For example, researchers have found that melancholic depression, bipolar disorder, and postpartum depression are all associated with elevated levels of cytokines in combination with decreased cortisol sensitivity (cortisol is both a stress hormone and a buffer against inflammation).
As discussed in an article by Dr. Kelly Brogan, depressive symptoms can be viewed as downstream manifestations of inflammation, and recent animal research suggests resveratrol may be useful here as well. Using rats, the researchers showed that a resveratrol dose equivalent to what you’d get from six glasses of red wine effectively prevented depressive behavior in rats by blocking brain inflammation.
As reported by NewHope360:17
“Susan K. Wood, Ph.D... leader of the research team, said the group’s findings are exciting because they show that resveratrol has anti-inflammatory potential in the brain, not just on levels of inflammation circulating in the body. ‘Certainly, there is a strong case being built now between clinical and preclinical work that inflammation is linked to depressive symptoms, and there is a great need for these findings to be validated in human studies,’ she said.”
Healthy Sources of Resveratrol
As mentioned earlier, drinking large quantities of red wine is not your best alternative due to the toxic effects of alcohol. If you want to boost your consumption of resveratrol, stick with natural sources like whole grape skins, raspberries, and mulberries. If you struggle with insulin resistance, consider passing on the meat of the grape as it contains a lot of extra fructose while being devoid of resveratrol.
Other whole food sources include raw cocoa and dark chocolate, but it may be difficult to get a therapeutic dose from these foods, especially since these are best eaten in moderation. Another option is to take a resveratrol supplement. In this case be sure to look for one made from a whole food complex that includes muscadine grape skin and seeds, which is where the resveratrol is concentrated.
----- Mercola
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