Dr. Whitaker has an article in the September 2010 issue of Health & Healing; it is basically a synopsis of the many studies of this remarkable nutrient. Since 2006, there have been more than 3,400 peer-reviewed journal articles published on this compound, and, although most involve rodent models of human disease, resveratrol’s therapeutic potential seems to be the real deal.
Resveratrol (RV) is a naturally compound that is concentrated in the skin of red grapes, cranberries, blueberries, peanuts and dark chocolate. RV effects a class of enzymes that play critical roles in DNA repair, maintain genome stability, protect against oxidative stress, and reduce inflammation. Long story short: these enzymes increase cell survival. RV works on the same enzymes that caloric restriction does, and it probably will be more practical, since asking humans to cut calories by a third may be a pipe dream.
RV has been shown to reduce the risk of cataracts, kidney dysfunction, and inflammatory bowel disease. Sound too good to be true? Keep reading. Rv helps prevent strokes and heart attacks, strengthens bones, improves lung function. It also protects against neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and improves memory, learning, and brain plasticity. RV also seems capable of increasing insulin sensitivity, enhance fat-burning, and relax arterial walls, thereby combating the big three threats to public health: type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.
Best of all, there are no reported side effects. The Chinese have used it in their medicine cabinet for years; they call it hu zhang, and have used it to treat a variety of ailments.
Best results occur if you start taking it early in life (by age 40), but good results have also been documented at 60 years of age. Recommended dosage is 100-250 mg per day. Dr Whitaker says to look for a standardized extract of trans-resveratrol such as ResVinol-25. I’m adding it to my daily regimen.
Stay well, John R Blilie, M.S.