Based on a small, brief, but nonetheless profound and compelling study in the current issue of the highly regarded scientific journal, Cell Metabolism, I intend to start taking resveratrol.
Rarely is anything that comes in a capsule or pill worth comparing to the power over medical destiny exerted by living well -- good use of feet and forks in particular. Lifestyle can do what no pill can do. That will doubtless prove true of resveratrol as well, but thus far its promise looks all but unprecedented to me. The study in Cell Metabolism did, in fact, compare this particular pill to the power of lifestyle -- and the pill measured up.
And rarely is it prudent to make a leap of faith from mice to men. Rodent studies often suggest benefits that fail to materialize when therapies are tested in humans. But having shown early promise in mice, resveratrol has nimbly made the leap to men (with, presumably, the same implications for women) in the new study.
The study in question assigned 11 obese but otherwise healthy men to 30 days of placebo and 30 days of 150 mg of resveratrol daily in random order. The study was double-blinded, meaning neither the participants nor the researchers knew who was taking what when. The fundamental study hypothesis, based on prior work in animals, was that resveratrol supplementation would mimic the effects of calorie restriction.
Calorie restriction has long shown promise for extending lifespan. Studies in a number of species have shown clear gains in longevity with administration of a nutritionally adequate, but calorically restricted diet (roughly 30 percent fewer calories than would be considered a "normal" level for maintenance of healthy weight). There have been no such studies in humans, for some fairly obvious reasons -- salient among them the fact that if such an intervention worked, it would take longer than the researcher's lifespan to find out!
That said, the metabolic effects of calorie restriction in humans suggest opportunities for both health promotion, and life extension. But there are also some jokes attached to the notion of extending survival by practicing a state of carefully controlled, semi-starvation. Among the better ones: you may live forever, or maybe it will just feel that way. Or: it may well extend your life, but you'll keep wishing you would die!
Of course, adherents to so-called 'CR' deny the downside, and report feeling vital while anticipating a long life. They intend to have the last laugh. Whether or note they get it, I wish them well.
But I also recognize that no matter what the benefits of calorie restriction, most people will not practice it. After all, we know there are profound benefits of controlling weight just by eating the recommended level of calories -- and we can't get most people to do that! So 30 percent less? Fuggedaboutit.
Enter resveratrol.
Resveratrol is a compound concentrated in grape skin -- and thus red wine. Early studies suggested it functioned as a potent antioxidant. While that might be of health benefit on its own, the history of isolated antioxidant supplements is one of perennial disappointment. Our high hopes for clear health benefits with supplements of vitamin C, beta-carotene, vitamin E, lycopene, and combinations have been consistently dashed. Meta-analyses of antioxidant trials suggest no benefit, and potential harm -- serving up a starkly precautionary message.
But resveratrol is not just an antioxidant. It influences mitochondrial function and energy metabolism. And most importantly, resveratrol is a gene modifier. It influences the activity of a gene complex called SIRT1, which influences a wide array of metabolic activity, is considered a regulator of the "health span," and is the very gene complex influenced by calorie restriction.
The new study was published in Cell Metabolism for a reason -- it reports changes in biochemical measures and cell biology and is thus a bit dense in its details. But the take-away message was clear enough. Daily dosing of resveratrol for a month mimicked most effects of calorie restriction, improving energy metabolism in muscle, improving insulin sensitivity, lowering blood pressure, and apparently enhancing fitness. There were no adverse effects of resveratrol.
Of course, there is much we don't know. The beneficial effects of resveratrol might wear off in time, or be too modest to matter. Or perhaps adverse effects might show up late. Calorie restriction, for instance, is associated with reduced fertility, and reduced libido. I count myself among those who would consider the latter of those effects too high a price to pay for any metabolic benefits. We don't know if resveratrol can facilitate weight loss- although that looks promising. We don't know, and won't for a very long time, if it can extend the human life span.
But we do have the first clear evidence that a natural compound can exert the same profound effects on metabolism, weight and genes -- in humans -- as calorie restriction. There is at least reason to hope a meaningful anti-aging effect could be appreciated as well.
Resveratrol has made the leap from mice to men. It will take some time to ascertain the true medical measure of this compound. While it is certainly premature to declare it a "wonder drug," I find myself wondering about that possibility. It's the best contender for a profound medical advance in a pill I have seen in a long time.
And so, I intend to try it for the next six months or so to see what effects I discern (less, of course, if I discern any I don't like!). I can't yet recommend resveratrol to you with any great conviction, but I can share my excitement about its apparent promise -- and I promise to share the results of my personal experience with it. Stay tuned!
-fin
Dr. David L. Katz; www.davidkatzmd.com
www.turnthetidefoundation.org
Follow David Katz, M.D. on Twitter: www.twitter.com/DrDavidKatz
I have noticed, very slightly, a regrowth of hair and more energy. Overall I feel better when taking reservatrol and hope that it may extend my life. I have always been a skinny person so I can't add anything about it battling weight gain.
Many people are skeptical about it's results and benefits and for good reason; nothing has been concluded.
I can say without doubt I feel better on this pill and it is one of two pills I take daily (I also take a Tribulus based testerone booster) Try reservatrol for a month as a pessimist - you may be surprised at the results.
Reservatrol may greatly extend life afterall....If i'm around another 100 years i'll post on this thread again to prove I was right!!!
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In laboratory studies, Vivix ingredients have been shown to impact 4 key mechanisms of cellular aging. In fact, Vivix Cellular Anti-Aging Tonic is a revolutionary breakthrough dietary supplement in the fight against cellular aging. A 30-day supply of Vivix delivers the equivalent amount of resveratrol found in 3,000 glasses of red wine, and Vivix ingredients were shown in a laboratory study to be 10X more powerful in slowing a key mechanism of cellular aging than resveratrol alone. I take a teaspoon daily and absolutely love the energy I feel.
Again, I'm glad it worked for you, long life and good health.
Yet.
As in we don't know what will happen.........yet
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It's both a floor wax and a dessert!
Buy some today!
My point? DON'T take the mega doses prescribed by the manufacturers. Take smaller, purer amounts and you can garner the benefits and avoid the painful pitfalls.
What is a "mega-dose?" I take 100mg of trans-resveratrol, with 1290mg of rejuvetrol, a proprietary muscadine grape, European elderberry, and purple carrot extract.
Days I forget to take it, my entire body aches. Days I take it, I feel great, arthritis doesn't hurt, my joints aren't stiff, even my eyesight seems better. Is your anecdotal evidence any better than mine?
Im in my early 30s and I take it on a daily basis and have for roughly a year (missing a few days here and there)and excercise a few times a week and have been in tip top shape and health the entire time.
Im NOT attributing this solely to this chemical, since as a biologist the interplay of Nature and Nurture and Genetics is always on my mind).
BUT of all the 'herbal supplements' out there this one is def heads above anything else in the literature and has generated intense interest (and funding $$$) across the biological and biomedical sciences.
Obviously this Study is too small a sample size to be taken as a the next "cure-all" but adding it to all the research ALREADY accumulated about this substance (easily Googled or Searched on Science Daily) and you'll find that it may just unlock many potential benefits.
Just my 2 cents
It's supposed ability to improve insulin sensitivity is no miracle, avoiding sugar does the same thing-
They never worried about insulin sensitivity, fat blockers, statins and the like.
recently I have added something (sorry but I am trying to figure out how to make some $ off this so no disclosure) a different substance to my regime. My hair growth has become dense and is creeping towards the top of my head! All that in one month. I intend to see my Dr. and get a blood workup again since although I hope this is having positive effects upon me I feel the need to confirm that I am not doing any obvious harm. Of course this is anecdotal and anything anyone else might do should be well thought out and possibly discussed with a DR. if there are any concerns.
I take well over 10 times what Dr. Katz is taking. Still I agree with his opinion.
Im a researcher myself and have not read anything specifically about this and this substance. Could you provide a link just out of curiousity? thanks