| The old saying goes, “Everything old is new | | | | diabetic’s blood supply. By preventing this damage, |
| again.” When it comes to aging and your health, | | | | resveratrol can actually prevent heart and kidney |
| that’s not such a bad thing, is it? The Ancient | | | | disease, as well as possibly preventing diabetic |
| Romans had a secret weapon in the fight to stay | | | | glaucoma. Resveratrol was shown to not only prevent |
| young and healthy. Twenty odd years ago, modern | | | | blood vessel damage in some patients, but to actually |
| scientists discovered the so-called French Paradox, | | | | mend and reverse vessel damage, as well. Healing this |
| where despite diets significantly higher in fat and | | | | blood vessel damage may end diabetic neuropathy in |
| calories, the French had significantly lower rates of | | | | hands and feet. Early research shows resveratrol may |
| heart disease and cardiac arrest than the rest of | | | | also help lower blood glucose amounts, and further |
| Western culture. Now, thanks to research into | | | | study into this effect/benefit is underway. |
| resveratrol and the development of resveratrol | | | | Resveratrol and Other Ailments |
| supplements, that same secret is available to | | | | Resveratrol can act as an anti-inflammatory, helping to |
| everyone. | | | | reduce the effects of arthritis. Some studies have |
| The Secret of Resveratrol | | | | shown that resveratrol may help prevent or at least |
| What the French and Ancient Roman diets have in | | | | aid in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. |
| common is red wine. The Romans even had a saying | | | | Resveratrol seems to elicit the same effects on the |
| – In Vino Sanitas – “In wine there is health.” | | | | body as a long-term reduced calorie diet – |
| That’s because red wine contains some of the | | | | producing better cardiac and joint health, lower |
| highest naturally occurring amounts of resveratrol, a | | | | cholesterol, lower blood sugar, and lower blood |
| powerful anti-oxidant. Grapes, blueberries, cranberries, | | | | pressure. Overall, resveratrol may just be one of the |
| pomegranates and other fruit produce resveratrol as | | | | most powerful anti-aging anti-oxidants known to man. |
| protection against sun damage and fungal diseases. It | | | | Most of today’s resveratrol supplements are |
| helps prolong the life and health of the fruit. Something | | | | derived from a Japanese plant, knotweed, shown to |
| in the fermentation involved in turning grapes into red | | | | be almost as high in resveratrol as red wine. It is |
| wine intensifies the amounts of resveratrol released. | | | | important when choosing a supplement to ensure that |
| This magic of nature provided all those Romans and | | | | your source of resveratrol contains no “fillers” |
| Frenchmen with a veritable fountain of youth. You | | | | – sugars, gums, colors and the like – other than |
| simply can’t consume enough red wine anymore, | | | | those ingredients needed to produce the pill or powder, |
| however, thanks to pesticides that prevent the grapes | | | | as these added ingredients can have effects of their |
| from producing large amounts of resveratrol. Naturally | | | | own, as well as decreasing the effectiveness of your |
| derived resveratrol can be found safely and | | | | supplement. |
| effectively in dietary supplements, providing you with all | | | | Resveratrol and Side Effects |
| the anti-aging health benefits of red wine without the | | | | No supplement, natural or otherwise, comes without |
| hangover. | | | | some risks or dangers. While studies have shown that |
| Resveratrol and Your Heart | | | | resveratrol carries few harmful side effects, a few |
| Resveratrol will not keep you young and healthy | | | | precautions should be noted. Resveratrol’s |
| forever. It has been proven, in various studies, that it is | | | | anti-clotting properties make it vital that resveratrol not |
| good for the heart and circulatory system. And that | | | | be taken with other medications or supplements that |
| can help keep you feeling younger and healthier longer. | | | | also serve as anti-coagulants. Since resveratrol is a |
| It acts as an anti-coagulant, inhibiting the formation of | | | | plant-based phytoestrogen, women who are pregnant |
| dangerous heart attack and stroke inducing blood clots. | | | | or nursing should not take resveratrol. Those on |
| It may even lower blood pressure. Resveratrol has | | | | estrogen-based contraceptives, or hormone |
| also been proven to slow cardiac aging. It acts on the | | | | replacement therapies should not take resveratrol |
| cells to prevent the damage caused by natural aging. | | | | without first consulting with their obstetrician, as |
| Preventing the damage slows the aging process. Thus, | | | | resveratrol may affect the way these other estrogen |
| resveratrol leaves your heart younger and healthier | | | | containing medications work. Likewise, women at risk |
| than it found it. | | | | for or survivors of breast cancer should not take |
| Resveratrol and Cancer | | | | resveratrol, either, as it has been shown to actually |
| Studies have shown that resveratrol may be effective | | | | increase the risks of breast cancer. Taking high doses |
| in the treatment of some cancers. Resveratrol targets | | | | of resveratrol (greater than 500 mg daily) has been |
| the cancer cells and makes them more susceptible to | | | | shown to cause joint stiffness and discomfort, |
| the effects of chemotherapy. It may also injure the | | | | especially in the hands and feet. |
| cells internally, decreasing their ability to function as | | | | Resveratrol and You |
| they would like. Resveratrol has a detrimental effect | | | | Resveratrol, therefore, may not be for everyone. If |
| on the internal energy source of cancer cells, slowing | | | | you, like the Romans and French, want to experience |
| their growth. | | | | the same anti-aging benefits of resveratrol, scientists |
| Resveratrol and Diabetes | | | | recommend a daily dose between 300 and 500 mg. It |
| A study released in 2008 showed that resveratrol | | | | may not be a fountain of youth, but resveratrol |
| was significant in improving the overall health of | | | | supplements may be the next best thing. And you can |
| diabetics. Resveratrol prevents damage to blood | | | | stay sober in the bargain. |
| vessels caused by the high level of glucose in a | | | | |