Resveratrol shows promise for life extension
Many people are excited about resveratrol. Research on animals has demonstrated that it can prolong life in simple animals 60% beyond normal. The effect has not been demonstrated on humans but many people supplement with resveratrol including some of the researchers just in case.
What is it?
Resveratrol is a health promoting compound found in grapes as well as other plants which has some very interesting properties. It is a potent antioxidant. It enhances energy production in cells and it can influence gene expression in ways that mimic caloric restriction the only proven method to increase human life span. In short it seems to provide the life enhancing effects of cutting your eating way back.
What it does.
It regulates a gene associated with aging that is found in all life forms. In experiments with mice fed a high calorie diet, mice receiving resveratrol did not develop the normal damage from that diet (diabetes, heart and liver damage and premature death) that mice not receiving resveratrol experienced.
The molecures being affected by resveratrol are cellular-regulating proteins called sirtuins and through the actions of these molecules they mimic the effects of calorie restriction. There is a dramatic increase in the ability to maintain and repair cell, tissue and organ damage that we associate with aging.
It is a potent antioxidant that inhibits the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and scavenges hydroxil radicals. Researchers hope that because aging is strongly associated with oxidation that they will discover more benefits from supplementation with reservatrol.
Reservatrol also stimulates energy production of the mitochondria. Since reduced energy production is associated with reduced longevity, there is a hope that resveratrol will prove to be a strong protection against aging.
The evidence just keeps on growing.
Research has demonstrated that although resveratrol is well-absorbed by human when taken orally, because it is rapidly metabolized, the bioavailability drops quickly after consumption. Because most of the research has involved direct exposure of cultured cells to resveratrol, it is not clear that metabolized resveratrol compounds have the same effects or whether the body is able to convert any of these compounds back to resveratrol.
More recent studies show that resveratrol can significantly affect humans by lowering cholesterol levels and improving arterial performance. Recent studies at the Scripps Institute suggest that atherosclerosis is a reversible condition through the influence of powerful antioxidants like resveratrol.
Should you supplement with resveratrol?
First, there is no evidence that the body is damaged from the consumption of resveratrol in normal doses so there is no reason not to supplement. The decision will come down to how much credibility you find in the descriptions of the potential benefits. The conclusions about the benefits of resveratrol are based on a big percentage of hope and extrapolation from the research. It seems reasonable to associate the health benefits that have been grudgingly been awarded to red wine with resveratrol and its proven ability to mitigate the damage of poor (high calorie) diets and prolong life in mice. These same benefits may also apply to humans. We don’t know for sure. If you supplement with resveratrol, it seems assured that there will be no damage or side effects.
NOW I know why I love red grapes!
My doctor told me as a child, “a banana a day keeps the doctor away”.
It turns out that it is full of potassium.
Smart man- red grapes were also on his list.
Janette,
They think that is why red wine is good for you as well.
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