Resveratrol
Updated Mar. 07th, 2022
As one of the most prevalent anti-aging supplements, resveratrol is an active polyphenolic nutrient found in common foods such as red wine, berries, and the skins of other brightly coloured fruits. In addition to its anti-aging benefits, resveratrol has been found to protect the cardiovascular system, reduce the risk of cancer, and balance female hormones.
Anti-Cancer
Animal studies on resveratrol showed dramatic results for reducing the incidence of cancer, by acting directly on cancer cells and causing programmed cell death (apoptosis). These studies showed that the experimental subjects taking resveratrol had far more cancer cell death than those not supplementing during their treatment. These same studies also showed that resveratrol inhibited the proliferation of cancer cells, as well as tumour angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels feeding a tumour). The best results in terms of cancer treatment seem to be with cancers in which the resveratrol can come into direct contact with the affected cells. For this reason, it may be particularly effective for gastrointestinal cancers, as well as skin cancers (if applied topically).
Protecting the Cardiovascular System
According to animal studies, resveratrol can also protect the heart and cardiovascular system from damage. These effects come from its ability to maintain the integrity of artery walls and to reduce viscosity of the blood. It has been shown to reduce the risk of clot formation, while it also promotes vasodilation (relaxing of the blood vessels). Resveratrol has also been shown to possess significant anti-inflammatory properties, making it a promising option in atherosclerosis prevention. Some researchers believe that resveratrol is responsible for the "French Paradox", explaining why many French people can eat more fatty foods than North Americans, but suffer from fewer incidences of heart attack and stroke. The thinking is that this may be due in part to a higher red wine consumption.
Female Hormone Balancing
Resveratrol has also been shown to possess both estrogenic and anti estrogenic properties, based on the body's own levels and need. Similar to soy products, this may have an application in both estrogen dominant pathologies, as well as in such conditions as menopause, in which estrogen levels are low. In a sense, it helps to balance the body's estrogen levels naturally. For more information on estrogen balancing, please click here.
Antiviral and Antioxidant
There is also some promising research to suggest that resveratrol may inhibit viruses, such as: herpes simplex, varicella, influenza and others. Animal studies have confirmed that resveratrol can prevent and help to reverse free radical damage. Unfortunately, since it is metabolized so quickly, the powerful antioxidant claims may be slightly exaggerated when considered in the complex case of the human body. The antioxidant effect of resveratrol is stronger when stabilized in supplement form.
How can I get Resveratrol?
The levels of resveratrol used in all of these animal studies are far beyond levels that can be naturally reached through diet, nor is it safe or practical for people to drink enough red wine on a daily basis to have a significant health enhancing effect. It is for those reasons that supplementation is the preferred method of delivery. Resveratrol can be found as a supplement in both capsule and liquid form, in varying concentrations. These supplements are usually made from Japanese knotweed, a concentrated plant source of resveratrol. Because of this, many supplement companies will advertise that their resveratrol products contain the equivalent of at least 20+ glasses of red wine. It is also important to note that currently there is very little research, based on clinical trials, supporting the efficacy of resveratrol in humans.