Does Resveratrol Prevent or Treat Diseases?
The latest natural ingredient to top news headlines and health articles since June of 2008 is resveratrol. It is a naturally occurring antioxidant found in some foods including the skins and seeds of grapes, red wine, and nuts. Exciting findings have made this plant chemical the talk of health experts, researchers, and television programs worldwide. The supplement business is a multi-billion dollar industry that exists for one reason: people want to get healthier. Vitamins help prevent dietary deficiencies, certain supplements help those who are trying to lose weight, and still others may aid in disease prevention. The latest study results on resveratrol have been especially promising; even the most cynical scientists are taking a more serious look at what it can do.
In recent 2009 experiments, this powerful extract has been found to significantly lower the risk of heart disease and to slow the growth rate of cancer and free radical cells. As reported in an abstract PDF published by the National Institutes of Health, one of the mice studies included resveratrol doses accompanied by a standard diet. The mice experienced an inhibited rate of cell deterioration as related to aging. The studies also revealed that it “partially mimicked the effects of dietary restriction on the gene expression profiles of liver, skeletal muscle and adipose (fatty) tissue in mice.” In another separate study, the cells from brain tumor gliomas of mice were grown in the laboratory and showed decreased growth rates when exposed to high doses of the supplement.
The findings also create interesting possibilities for humans pursuing the quest for staying young and disease prevention. In the same study mentioned above, the mice that were fed a standard diet experienced better qualities of life through regular activity, though their overall life span did not increase when exposed to the substance in middle aged mice. Another interesting side effect noted was that obese mice experienced no age or obesity-related cardiovascular decline. Specifically, these results were related to healthier aortas in the treated mice as well as the lowering of overall cholesterol levels. Scientists are striving to get additional funding to experiment further, but urged that these findings could not be directly translated to humans until extensive studies are conducted.
Pharmaceutical companies quickly jumped on the bandwagon as soon as science reported on the effects of this substance. Research into new drugs is ongoing and includes what are the most-effective dosages, food sources from which to harvest the substance, and which mammals are most-responsive. The prospect of cancer prevention and inhibition of tumors is very promising when reviewing the latest laboratory results thus far. Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of Americans, with several hundred thousand dying from this preventable cause each year. If this product performs in the same manner in humans as it has in animal studies, there could be a new future on the horizon for those whose diets, lifestyles, or genetics have made them more prone to these types of diseases.
Overall, the message is clear; resveratrol is promising in animal studies and is a naturally-occurring substance in foods and drinks that we already consume. If higher concentrations have not been shown to be harmful in any way, then the possibility of positive health benefits far outweighs the limited scientific results we have thus far. You can search “resveratrol” on the Word Wide Web and get free information from the scientific community, post questions, or sign up for email updates from professional groups.
In recent 2009 experiments, this powerful extract has been found to significantly lower the risk of heart disease and to slow the growth rate of cancer and free radical cells. As reported in an abstract PDF published by the National Institutes of Health, one of the mice studies included resveratrol doses accompanied by a standard diet. The mice experienced an inhibited rate of cell deterioration as related to aging. The studies also revealed that it “partially mimicked the effects of dietary restriction on the gene expression profiles of liver, skeletal muscle and adipose (fatty) tissue in mice.” In another separate study, the cells from brain tumor gliomas of mice were grown in the laboratory and showed decreased growth rates when exposed to high doses of the supplement.
The findings also create interesting possibilities for humans pursuing the quest for staying young and disease prevention. In the same study mentioned above, the mice that were fed a standard diet experienced better qualities of life through regular activity, though their overall life span did not increase when exposed to the substance in middle aged mice. Another interesting side effect noted was that obese mice experienced no age or obesity-related cardiovascular decline. Specifically, these results were related to healthier aortas in the treated mice as well as the lowering of overall cholesterol levels. Scientists are striving to get additional funding to experiment further, but urged that these findings could not be directly translated to humans until extensive studies are conducted.
Pharmaceutical companies quickly jumped on the bandwagon as soon as science reported on the effects of this substance. Research into new drugs is ongoing and includes what are the most-effective dosages, food sources from which to harvest the substance, and which mammals are most-responsive. The prospect of cancer prevention and inhibition of tumors is very promising when reviewing the latest laboratory results thus far. Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of Americans, with several hundred thousand dying from this preventable cause each year. If this product performs in the same manner in humans as it has in animal studies, there could be a new future on the horizon for those whose diets, lifestyles, or genetics have made them more prone to these types of diseases.
Overall, the message is clear; resveratrol is promising in animal studies and is a naturally-occurring substance in foods and drinks that we already consume. If higher concentrations have not been shown to be harmful in any way, then the possibility of positive health benefits far outweighs the limited scientific results we have thus far. You can search “resveratrol” on the Word Wide Web and get free information from the scientific community, post questions, or sign up for email updates from professional groups.
