Resveratrol, extracted from grapes, blueberries, and many types of nuts, is enjoying a boost in popularity these days. It has many purported health and anti-aging benefits. Many different brands of resveratrol supplements are on the market, and some of the more unscrupulous manufacturers make disease-fighting claims that are expressly forbidden by the FDA- and their claims are backed up by dubious scientific research. As of today, there aren’t any known human studies on resveratrol supplementation, only anecdotal evidence gleaned from personal accounts of red wine drinkers.
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Recent research has shown that the antioxidant resveratrol, naturally found in grape skins and blueberries, may weaken pancreatic cancer cells, and make them more susceptible to chemo. It seems to make tumors more sensitive, while decreasing the sensitivity of normal cells.
Researchers treated cancer cells with 50 mg of resveratrol, then iodized them to mimic chemotherapy. A control group was also iodized without the resveratrol. Pancreatic cancer is particularly chemo-resistant, because the pancreas secretes enzymes that wash away the chemo drugs before they can work. In cells that had the resveratrol treatment, the enzymes that do the “washing” were inhibited. While we don’t know why this happened, it may be a new side effect of resveratrol. All antioxidants remove free radicals from the body. These free radicals contribute to aging, cardiovascular disease, and aging. Read the rest of this entry »
It seems that resveratrol is making inroads with the mainstream media. In case you haven’t seen it, Dr. Oz was on the Oprah show, talking about different ways to reverse the aging process. For the average person, there are two main ways to minimize the signs of aging. One is caloric restriction, which is a diet that allows about 30% fewer calories than your average diet. Choosing nutrient dense foods that are lower in fat will allow you to take in fewer calories, while still maintaining nutrient balance for the body. It’s not a “starvation diet” at all! In fact, in experiments with mice and monkeys, a CR diet has been shown to increase lifespan.
You may be wondering: Will it work for people? A lot of us are trying it, and they are singing the praises of a calorie-restricted diet. But, not everyone has the self-discipline to stick with such a strict eating plan. Science is searching for an alternative, and it may have been found, in the form of resveratrol. It may activate the same “longevity gene”, (the SiRT1) as a calorie-restrictive diet. When he appeared on the Oprah show, Dr. Oz said that he felt resveratrol was safe, but he urged people to carefully research it before taking it. Read the rest of this entry »
Resveratrol, a chemical produced by plants as a defense mechanism, might be the beneficial compound in red wine. This compound may improve the body’s anti-aging response, and in turn quality of life, according to a National Institute on Aging/Harvard Medical School joint study. Other studies have found that resveratrol lengthens lifespan in insects, fish, and yeast. It also improves the health of mice on a fat-laden diet.
In the study, the researchers gave a resveratrol supplement, once a day, to mice on both normal and calorie-restricted diets. The animals on the lower-calorie diet lived a lot longer than those on a “normal” diet, and showed less aging-related mental and physical deterioration. They also had fewer incidences of disease and stress. The mice on the normal diet experienced increased vigor and vitality over the length of the study, but they didn’t live any longer. Read the rest of this entry »
SiRT1 has been discovered as the gene that lengthens lifespan through caloric restriction. When food is limited, SiRT1 is used to break down fat stores as a source of energy. It’s part of the body’s defense against starvation.
Animal experiments show that this gene is activated through caloric restriction, thereby lengthening lifespan, aiding in the metabolism of fat and cholesterol metabolism, increasing immune function, and boosting cardiovascular health. A lot of people are discovering the virtues of a calorie-restricted diet, but you should always speak to your doctor before trying it yourself.
When someone eats too much, their fat stores send out inflammatory compounds that tell the liver to make its own inflammatory. This causes free radical damage throughout the body. As a person gains weight, this level of inflammation goes up as well. The liver gets saturated with fat, which is then “cooked” by the inflammation that’s running rampant. Eventually, liver damage will result. Arteries will also become choked with fat, raising blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Leptin levels will become elevated, causing irritability and possible insulin resistance, leading to type II diabetes. Leptin brings on food cravings, and the cycle continues. Read the rest of this entry »
