Why the Resveratol supplement can boost your health
Most people have heard of Resveratol, a plant compound found in many natural sources.
It has a growing reputation as one of the world’s most potent natural supplements.
In nature, various plants produce Resveratrol to help fight off microbial attackers such as bacteria and fungi.
It also helps plants withstand drought while it helps them flourish if they are lacking in nutrients.
Found naturally in grapes, most berries and some nuts, it is also abundant in the roots of Japanese knotweed, which in some countries is classed as a pest.
It is, a potent antioxidant, and has received plenty of press over the years for the fact that it is present in red wine.
This has led to the wine industry spreading plenty of positive news regarding resveratol, claiming that drinking a glass will improve your health.
In 1922, two Cornell University plant scientists suggested that resveratrol might be responsible for the cardiovascular benefits of red wine.
It took many decades however for the wine industry then leapt all over this.
However the benefits of drinking wine are being debunked.
Most modern studies do not agree with alcohol consumption being beneficial, saying that even moderate drinking can be harmful.
Equally, the health benefits of resveratol will be compromised when combined with alcohol.
In saying that, it is a powerful supplement that can enhance your health.
The most popular claim is that it extends life expectancy.
Technically, this is correct.
It helps modulate blood pressure and the high bioflavanoid content naturally protects from heart disease while controlling insulin resistance.
By these mechanisms alone, resveratol will ‘add years’ to your life.
Assuming you are not offsetting these benefits with negative activities such as heavy drinking!
Resveratrol, like many potent supplements and antioxidants, can have some negatives if taken in high doses.
It makes platelets in the bloodstream less sticky (that is, less likely to clot) so if taking in high amounts can increase the risk of bleeding in people who take certain anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen or clinical drugs like warfarin (coumadin) and clopidogrel (plavix).
It is also chemically related to estrogen.
So in high doses, and depending on the genetics of the individual, it may increase the activity of estrogen, or could block it all together.
This may require medical advice if estrogen is a concern.
Some of the best advice regarding resveratrol came from David Sinclair.
Dr Sinclair, a Harvard University professor, helped found Sirtis Pharmaceuticals, a company that produced resveratrol formulations.
Sinclair made statements about resveratrol including:
“(It’s) as close to a miraculous molecule as you can find.
One hundred years from now, people will maybe be taking these molecules on a daily basis to prevent heart disease, stroke, and cancer.”
While some in the medical and scientific community remains cautious, the benefits of resveratrol outweigh the negatives.
It positively influences cholesterol levels by reducing the effect of enzymes, primarily those that controls cholesterol production.
As an antioxidant, it also may decrease the oxidation of “bad” LDL cholesterol.
LDL oxidation contributes to plaque buildup in artery walls
It also can positively interfere with protein fragments called beta-amyloids, which are responsible for forming the plaques that are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
Plant-based supplements are being studied as a way to treat and prevent joint pain.
When taken as a supplement, resveratrol can protect cartilage from deteriorating.
To see Supplement City’s range of resveratrol, click here.