Resveratrol Ultra is a product that contains resveratrol, an antioxidant found in wine grapes, berries, peanuts, chocolate, pine trees and Japanese knotweed. Health benefits may include a decreased risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes, according to the Life Extension Foundation. In addition, the foundation claims that resveratrol is at the forefront of anti-aging science, due to its ability to code for gene expression within our cells, promoting longevity. Resveratrol supplementation has not been extensively studied in humans and could have some side effects.
Risk of Bleeding
According to the Linus Pauling Institute, resveratrol could exert natural anti-coagulant and anti-platelet properties in the body. Anti-coagulants thin the blood, allowing it to flow more freely through veins and arteries. Anti-platelets decrease the stickiness of blood platelets, preventing them from congregating together and causing blood clots. Usually a heart healthy benefit of resveratrol, this function may cause adverse effects when paired with certain drugs that also act as anti-coagulants and/or anti-platelet substances. The combined effect could increase the risk of severe bleeding.
Drug Toxicity
Resveratrol has also been shown to inhibit cytochrome enzymes in the liver known as P450 and 3A4. These enzymes allow the liver to manage certain drugs without health complications. Resveratrol's cytochrome-inhibiting properties may increase the bioavailability of certain drugs, causing toxicity. Drugs that resveratrol may impact include HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, calcium channel agonists, anti-arrhythmic agents, HIV protease inhibitors, immunosuppressants, antihistimines and erectile dysfunction medications.
Tumor Growth
The Linus Pauling Institute reports that resveratrol has both estrogen-agonist and estrogen-antagonist effects, based on in vitro testing. Estrogen-agonists enable estrogen receptors or mimic the hormone in the body. Estrogen-antagonists disrupt the effect of the hormone, decreasing its action. If resveratrol acts as an estrogen-agonist in the body, it could aggravate certain cancers. Estrogen-dependent cancers such as breast and prostate cancer utilize estrogen to grow. In theory, an estrogen agonist such as resveratrol could cause tumors to grow and exasperate certain cancers. The Linus Pauling Institute recommends that more research is needed before those with or at risk for cancer experiment with resveratrol.
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