Archive for the ‘Resveratrol’ Category

Anti-Aging Miracle?

Sunday, July 5th, 2009

Studies have touted Resveratrol as a miracle anti-aging drug, but in reality, it’s much more than that. Not only is it potentially anti-aging, it also may increase the user’s longevity. In addition, it may help to reduce the symptoms and complications stemming from aging.

As people grow older, their cells lose the ability to repair themselves efficiently, leaving them vulnerable to attacks and diseases. Genetic mutations can develop inside the cells when the RNA becomes damaged. Resveratrol can prolong the time window in which cells can repair their RNA, enabling them to fight off age-related illnesses like arthritis pains and symptoms of menopause. Isn’t that better than just looking young?

And that’s not all! Resveratrol has also shown promise to improve blood circulation and repair damage to blood vessels which allows the heart to function at a more optimal level. It may improve the functioning of estrogen, making this ideal for women whose estrogen levels have dwindled greatly since menopause.

Since Resveratrol can be found in the skin of red grapes, it has given birth to the “French Paradox”, which is a logical solution to the reason why French people can consume a diet consisting almost entirely of saturated fat and yet stay healthier than people of other nationalities, with less incidents of artherosclerotic heart diseases. The reason, those who support the French Paradox believe, lies in the huge quantities of red wine the French drink. However, to get the optimal amount of Resveratrol, one would have to drink 100's og glasses of wine a day, which is impractical and hazardous to one’s health. Instead, take supplements that have concentrated amounts of Resveratrol!

The New Kid On The Cancer-Fighter’s Block

Thursday, July 2nd, 2009

The new kid is called Resveratrol – found in the skins of red grapes, and containing large quantities of anti-oxidants, it has been found to prevent the growth of cancer cells. The University of Alabama conducted a study on male rats and found that the mice’s risk of developing prostate cancer decreased by about 87% when they were fed Resveratrol. The best thing is, the mice didn’t show any adverse signs after ingesting it.

There were two groups, one fed with Resveratrol and one left alone. The control group showed a 23% rate of prostate cancer, whereas the group fed with the drug showed a mere 3% rate. This result shows a 87% drop in cancer incidences. If this result can be shown in humans, then Resveratrol will be an excellent anti-cancer treatment.

It has also shown the ability to repress the formation of the abnormal cell formation that leads to several types of breast cancer. According to Eleanor G. Rogan, Ph.D a professor at the Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical, Resveratrol can potentially prevent the first step to cancer, by blocking the estrogen DNA adducts from forming, which then stops the whole process, thereby preventing cancer from happening.

Rogan said that the Resveratrol works because it induces an enzyme (quinone reductase), which reduces the estrogen metabolite to an inactive form, which then reduces the risk. However, more tests would have to be done in larger human trials to confirm the findings.

Resveratrol – The Slimming Product of the Future?

Monday, June 29th, 2009

A few studies have shown links between Resveratrol and weight-loss. Harvard Medical School conducted a scientific study where they fed two groups of laboratory mice a high-calorie, high-fat diet. One group, however, was given large doses of Resveratrol. Both the groups became obese, but the group that was given Resveratrol did not develop fatty livers or show any signs of insulin resistance. They also lived longer, and healthier than the other group of mice. It was then concluded that Resveratrol could protect the body against the health problems commonly associated with weight gain.

It can also function as an appetite suppressant, because of its high antioxidant content, and also speed up your metabolism rate, which burns off more calories, therefore contributing to weight loss. In addition to that, it combines well with green tea which is also proven to aid weight loss and is in itself a powerful antioxidant. Taking the two together, will enhance the effects of Resveratrol, and can potentially speed up weight loss.

In another experiment, Johan Auwerx from the Institute Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology in France found that the mice who were fed a high-fat diet but were also given large quantities of Resveratrol did not gain weight as there was an increase in the mitochondria levels in the muscle cells of the mice. Mitochondria are part of the energy-creating cells, and therefore, higher levels means higher calorie-burning capabilities.

In conclusion, Resveratrol definitely shows potential to be a slimming product. The beauty of it is that, it’s so much more than just one product!