Resveratrol, a naturally occurring compound found in the skins of red grapes, exploded in the public consciousness several years ago when medical researchers showed that it significantly extends the lifespan of laboratory animals and prevents them from developing physiological signs of diabetes. Available research to date suggests that resveratrol supplements could bolster the health of people at risk for many age-related diseases, including heart disease and cancer. However, supplementation might also have drawbacks, as resveratrol could interfere with the liver enzymes responsible for metabolizing prescription drugs.
Pros: Cardiovascular Health
Resveratrol exhibits a wide host of properties beneficial to cardiovascular health. According to "Life Extension Magazine," the compound has been shown to decrease inflammation--a condition associated with the narrowing of blood vessels to the heart--to thin the blood so that it has less chance of clotting, and to reduce the levels of bad cholesterol. The compound might also increase the proliferation of stem cells within the heart, so that, in the event of heart attack, the heart recovers more quickly.
Pros: Cancer Prevention
According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, resveratrol restricts the growth and proliferation of human cancer cell lines, and when orally administered to laboratory animals, inhibits the development of tumors induced by cancer-causing agents. Clinical trials using synthetic versions of resveratrol are currently underway to assess the effects of the drug in people with multiple forms of cancer.
Pros: Anti-Aging Effects
A large collection of studies, summarized in "Life Extension Magazine," has demonstrated that resveratrol dramatically lengthens the lifespan of a variety of species: worms, fruit flies, fish, mice and rats. The mechanism behind this is as of yet unknown, but might be similar to that of calorie restriction--the only method that had been previously shown to enhance longevity in mammals. In keeping with this possibility, resveratrol activates many of the same genes activated by calorie restriction.
Cons: Drug Metabolism
The Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University cautions that resveratrol inhibits proteins needed to break down prescription drugs. In particular, resveratrol supplementation has the potential to interfere with the proper metabolism of statins, benzodiazepines, immunosuppressants, antihistamines, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitors. As a result, the potential side effects and toxicity associated with these drugs can be exaggerated in people taking resveratrol.
Cons: Unknown Long-Term Consequences
The long-term effects of resveratrol supplements have not been investigated. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, people thinking of taking oral preparations of resveratrol should consult their doctors. Pregnant mothers should avoid resveratrol entirely.
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