Resveratrol, a natural product from grapes, may delay age-related deterioration, extend lifespan and promote weight loss, according to observations and experiments in animal studies. So far, no human studies have assessed these effects of using resveratrol supplements. Consult your physician before you decide to take resveratrol or any other supplements.
Inhibition of Aging
Investigators at the Harvard Medical School showed that grape-seed resveratrol has a significant effect on the lifespan of mice, suggesting that this compound would be efficacious in reversing the deleterious effects of aging such as the aging process, obesity, metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes. Resveratrol has been shown to govern lifespan extension by activating the enzyme Sir2, an important determinant of longevity, according to David Sinclair, an HMS associate professor of pathology.
Effects on Adipose Tissue
Excessive body fat puts you at risk for the development of numerous health consequences. In animal models, the compound resveratrol appears to inhibit fat cells, according to research conducted by Clifton A. Baile, an agricultural and biotechnology scholar at the University of Georgia. The loss of mature fat cells or lipolysis may reduce body fat and help maintain weight loss.
Cholesterol-Lowering Diet
Diets rich in resveratrol may keep low-density lipoprotein, LDL, reasonably low. LDL is a major risk factor of coronary heart disease and stroke. Like lipid-lowering or fibrate drugs, resveratrol has been shown to act as a PPAR alpha agonist, according to a study conducted by Shobu Namura, Ph.D., and colleagues at the Morehouse School of Medicine. PPAR alpha agonists influence cholesterol absorption in the intestine.
Dosage and Precautions
No human studies have been systematically conducted to determine the optimal dose of resveratrol. Studies in laboratory animals have demonstrated that doses less than 500 mg per day might be potent and safe. Avoid taking resveratrol supplements if you've had breast cancer or are at high risk of developing the disease. Resveratrol acts like estrogen and possibly increases the risk of breast cancer, according to NYU Langone Medical Center website.
References
- Harvard Medical School: Small Molecule Increases Lifespan and "Healthspan" of Obese Mice; John Lacey; November 1, 2006
- New York Academy of Science: Effect of Resveratrol on Fat Mobilization; Clifton A. Baile et al
- Stanford University: Huntington's Outreach Project for Education: A Look at How Resveratrol, a Component of Red Wine, May Be Used to Treat HD; D. McGee and P. Bakhai
- Morehouse School of Medicine: Research Interests; Shobu Namura
- NYU Langone Medical Center: Resveratrol
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