Resveratrol is a polyphenolic phytoalexin with antioxidant effects, which have shown benefits on animals in past studies; now, human studies have started to emerge.

Whether as urban or rural dwellers, a noticeable fact is prevalent in our daily eating routines. Our food intake, habits, and preferences usually indicate a lack in necessary nutrients that our bodies need for better health. Several factors contribute to this phenomenon such as the proliferation of processed foods and fast-foods, the busy lifestyle that we engage in, and the changing technologies that contribute to the fast-paced world. As such, we often neglect having the necessary nutritional levels. This marks a pressing need to pay attention to what we eat, starting with learning about certain food contents and supplementation that boost our nutrient intake. Furthermore, particular food or supplementation contents do not merely provide general health benefits. These have specific remedy and preventive effects.

One of these is a polyphenolic phytoalexin called resveratrol. In a recent study, it was discovered that resveratrol supplementation has strong capacities of improving cardiovascular health. We may gain essential insights into this powerful antioxidant since the human heart, along with our body, warrants nurturing if we want to reduce our risk of acquiring severe conditions which may sometimes prove to be fatal; and if we want to thrive healthily within this rapidly-changing and busy world.

Study Findings Yield New Insights into Resveratrol Supplements: Cardiovascular and Heart Health

Published in Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular  Diseases, the research led by Dr. Narelle Berry from the University of South Africa is the first of its kind. There have been other resveratrol studies, but the recent one particularly focused on the effects and possible health benefits of resveratrol supplements on the functions of the human circulatory system.

Supplements were said to aid improvement in a special indicator of cardiovascular function, which is called flow-mediated dilatation (FMD). An FMD analysis that shows changes or damage is normally characterized or caused by endothelial dysfunction, and reveals an indication of various risk factors such as obesity. The endothelium is essential to maintaining the body’s vascular tone, through its regulatory efforts towards blood flow. The dysfunction is reportedly due to the lack of nitric oxide production, which may result in the constriction of blood vessels.

As one of the notions that pushed the research to take form, polyphenols are suggested as active, potent agents that improve FMD results. In particular, the polyphenol called resveratrol was suggested to aid in increasing the production, release, and availability of nitric oxide.

Fortunately, the results were positive. Increasing resveratrol was linked to increases in concentrations of plasma in the blood. Furthermore, FMD showed improvement through the employed supplementation. While some details remain unclear, the researchers noted that the evidence suggests that nitric oxide availability and an increase in its levels can be made possible through resveratrol.

A Broader Look at How Humans can Benefit from Resveratrol

Resveratrol was believed and suggested to be the content in red wine, which makes the well-loved drink a very healthy choice of beverage with alcoholic contents. Furthermore, former knowledge on the health benefits of resveratrol supplements did not have strong scientific evidence or support, particularly when applied to humans, because former studies usually employed mice.

However, with the recent study that was earlier discussed, these notions have gained solid footing.

Sources and health benefits

Grape-skin is a major source of the said polyphenol, which explains why red wine contains a good level of resveratrol concentrations, considering the fermentation process of red wine. We may go directly to grape or grape juice consumption if we want. In reportedly comparable or lesser concentrations, resveratrol may also be found in cranberries and blueberries, which also have powerful antioxidant components.

Given the increasing scientific evidences on its potential favourable roles on human health, resveratrol supplementation may possibly be one of the best, if not the best way of acquiring the benefits of resveratrol. According to a resveratrol supplement website, a single resveratrol supplement or pill already equates to the benefits of a huge number of red wine bottles.

Regardless if you’re in the process of recovering from a particular illness, or if your immune system needs an efficient boost, or even if you are currently enjoying a good health status, resveratrol has several benefits for you. It is not only an effective treatment remedy, it also aids in risk-reduction, healing, prevention, and health maintenance. Furthermore, it contributes to optimal weight loss and heightened physical performance among athletes.

Apart from the newly-discovered favourable roles on human health, through its effects on cardiovascular health and functionality, the following list provides a glimpse of some of the more particular ways in which humans can benefit from resveratrol and resveratrol supplementation.

1. Cancer Prevention

Based on research tests on animals, resveratrol was proven as an effective means of reducing tumour incidence. This is primarily done through its interference with certain stages of cancer development. As an antioxidant, resveratrol inhibits cancerous cells’ growth, proliferation, and invasion through their metastasis process.

Some studies show that resveratrol’s anti-cancerous effects are at their peak when the polyphenol comes in direct contact with tumours. Particular tumours to which resveratrol have heightened effects are reportedly gastrointestinal tract and skin tumours. Other types need further research and experimentation.

2. Risk-reduction for Alzheimer’s Disease and Neurodegenerative Diseases

According to researchers at the Cornell University’s Weill Medical College, resveratrol supplementation has shown potent effects on the reduction of plaque formation found in the brains of tested animals. It is important to note that Alzheimer’s disease and several other neurodegenerative diseases are developed through several factors that include plaque formation.

Other studies reportedly show that the said polyphenol decreased the intracellular amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptide levels, which is associated with the reduction and clearance of plaques located in the brain.

3. Inhibition and Risk-reduction for Influenza

The reproduction of viruses that affect the respiratory tract, particularly viruses that cause influenza, are inhibited by resveratrol. Instead of attacking the flu virus, the said polyphenol appears to have a more wide-scale approach: It blocks certain functions in the host cell that allows and aids the replication of influenza virus.

4. Slow Aging

Several companies sell resveratrol supplements, packaged prominently in a way that emphasizes its slow aging effects, and possible capacity for lifespan expansion. As an anti-aging tool, resveratrol is believed to have the capacity of stimulating the SIRT1 gene; which, besides aiding in fat reduction, also helps slow down the process of aging. Further research and studies need to confirm and discover stronger links.

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Resveratrol may be helpful in reducing the growth of prostate cancer cells and also provides a myriad of other health benefits.

According to the US Agricultural Research Service, the compound responsible for the so called “French Paradox” is proving to be a potent weapon against one of the deadliest killers around – prostate cancer.

The statement from the US ARS came about because of a study that was published in the medical journal Carcinogenesis. In the said study, in-vitro testing showed that prostate cancer cells actually died when they were exposed to the potent compound, resveratrol.

Throwing caution into the air

While it was true that cancer cell inhibition took place when the prostate cancer cells were exposed to the compound, it also increased the growth of blood vessels after the initial death of cancer cells, according to Thomas Wang, a researcher working for the Diet, Genomics and Immunology Laboratory of the US ARS.

The growth of extra blood vessels in the site of the prostate cancer was observed in laboratory animals who were genetically prone to developing prostate cancer.  Each of the animal subjects had been given 3 to 6 milligrams of the potent compound, which was equivalent to the amount of resveratrol found in six glasses of red wine.

What does this all mean?

According Wang, more research is needed to further substantiate the potential anti-cancer benefits of resveratrol.  He also stated there should be a clear focus on studying the effective dosage needed for cancer prevention as well as important factors such as interaction with other chemical compounds and timing.  In short – people shouldn’t be complacent with just taking large amounts of supplements.

The issue of overabundance

Nutrients (like vitamins, theanine and resveratrol) are still biological compounds, whether we like it or not.  With the proliferation of nutritional supplements in the market, it’s hard not to take extra doses of these supplements because of the health benefits.  Folic acid for one, is being taken in large amounts by people because of its numerous purported health benefits.

But did you know that too much of this nutrient can actually encourage the growth of cancer cells?

According to Joel Mason, a program director for the US ARS, cancer requires a very complex process in order to survive.  And one of the requirements for cell growth are nutrients like folic acid.

If you get more than four hundred micrograms of folic acid per day, you just might be encouraging the growth of cancer cells, instead of preventing it.

Too much folic acid can actually facilitate the DNA replication process necessary for the growth of cancer cells.  Watch what you eat – if you take a high-nutrient shake in the morning and eat folic-acid loaded snacks toward the end of the day, you just might be taking in too much of the nutrient.

Other benefits of resveratrol

1. Resveratrol helps promote a healthy heart by reducing oxidative stress and by improving blood circulation.  It also reduces the incidence of swelling or inflammation in the body’s tissues, as well as reduce unnecessary clotting in the blood vessels, which may lead to embolisms or even stroke.

2. In another study, it was shown that resveratrol prevented the initial processes required for cancer growth.

3. Studies show that resveratrol can help seniors by reducing the risk of neurological diseases and neural degeneration.

4. Coupled with calorie reduction, resveratrol can make a person resistant to many chronic and degenerative conditions such as heart diseases and even diabetes.

5. If used in conjunction with supplements like co-enzyme Q10 and omega 3 fatty acids, resveratrol can protect you from conditions like coronary heart disease.

6. Resveratrol has also been shown to reduce damage caused by stroke.

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