Resveratrol…

is a member of a group of plant compounds called polyphenols. It would be in the same class as those listed above. Resveratrol is found in the skin of red grapes, especially in the skin of a distressed variety of grapes like the cabernet or pinot. Other sources include peanuts and berries. Because resveratrol is thought to have so many health benefits, it’s not surprising that numerous supplements are available. 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. Resveratrol has gained a lot of attention for its reported anti-aging 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.

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 say they can’t say for certain that resveratrol supplements have value in anti-aging or disease prevention. On the other hand, it is thought that the skin from red grapes, especially the distressed grapes like the Cabernets and the Pinot grapes, which are higher in resveratrol, is why 1-2 glasses of red wine per day has proven health benefits. Since not all are wine drinkers, the supplement seems to have some benefit.

If you can’t get enough antioxidants in your diet by eating fresh produce, some experts recommend taking a multivitamin that contains minerals, too. But be cautious about taking too much of everything. With antioxidants, as with most anything, moderation is key. Vitamins A and E, for example, are stored in the body and eliminated slowly. Getting too much can be toxic.

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