Resveratrol Supplements

There has been a lot of attention given to resveratrol and its promising health benefits in recent years and following widely publicized television coverage, an increased demand for it but do we understand what the substance really is and why there is such a fuss?
Resveratrol is made by some plants when they are threatened by infection from a fungus or bacteria. It is anti-microbial, helping to fight infection by acting as a toxin to the attacking bacterial or fungal cells. Resveratrol exists in two forms, the cis type and the trans type, it is the trans type that shows such promise as a health supplement.
Our natural resveratrol sources are varied, it is found in the red wine grapes and the wine made from them, it can also be found in peanuts, cranberries and several other foods. Its presence in red wine varies a lot with the grape variety and where it was grown. Many folk believe it is an explanation for the ‘French Paradox ’, the seeming ability of some cultures to consume seemingly unhealthy diets without all the ill effects.
In animal trials, resveratrol has shown several health benefits. In a famous experiment, mice given a high fat diet and resveratrol supplements had a much reduced risk of death compared to those given the high fat diet without the resveratrol.
Those mice were found to have approximately normal levels of insulin and blood glucose though their cholesterol levels were high. Interestingly the life extending properties seen in mice appear to have been mainly in older mice rather than in mice given resveratrol supplements from an earlier age.
Life extending properties were also shown when an Italian team of scientists experimenting with fish found that resveratrol could extend their lifespan considerably. This was the first such demonstration in a vertebrate, other tests to that point having been on fruit flies and worms.
Resveratrol shows anti-cancer properties too for some forms of cancer. Experiments with mice and other animals show success with skin cancers while in-vitro experiments show resveratrol attacks other cancers such as colon and breast cancer.
A challenge for scientists will be in working out how to get the right dose of resveratrol actively working to combat cancer. This challenge arises because resveratrol tends to break down easily so must be delivered carefully to reach the bloodstream in sufficient quantity.  One promising looking delivery method is taking resveratrol in a form which allows it to be absorbed from the mouth directly into the bloodstream. Various methods of delivery are now under investigation from mouthwashes to lozenges and even gum.
Get more information on resveratrol benefits, check out this article resveratrol health info and if purchasing resveratrol be aware there are many products on the market not all of them equal. Get yours from a reputable supplier.

Resveratrol has now been considered as an anti-aging wonder supplement for years now but did you know that those same experiments that brought this marvellous substance to our attention also show resveratrol to be a useful aid to weight loss?

Resveratrol has been known to counteract weight gain in mice fed a high fat diet since 2006. In a famous experiment some laboratory mice were fed a much higher fat diet than a control group but some of them were also given resveratrol. The mice also given the resveratrol were found to be no more likely to die than those on the standard diet. Their insulin and glucose levels were about normal though their cholesterol was elevated.

It is worth remembering that fully comprehensive testing on humans is still to be carried out but given the promising animal experiments and the phenomenon known as the ‘French Paradox’, it is not surprising there has been such interest in resveratrol as a weight loss aid. (The ‘French Paradox’ refers to the apparent ability of some Mediterranean people to be able to consume diets high in fats yet not suffer the usual bad effects of such a diet).

So what is resveratrol anyway? It’s a compound produced by some plants when they are under threat of fungal or bacterial infection. It is found in several plants including blueberries and grapes, where it is most plentiful in the skins. Its presence in grape skins means it is also present in red wine though the amount can vary considerably depending on the grape variety and where it was grown.

It has been shown to have anti-aging and anti-cancer properties and also tends to boost metabolism so it is hardly surprising resveratrol has been of such interest in the health field. Well publicised attention from some tv presenters has added to this interest and demand.

The resveratrol we see in nutritional supplements while commonly marketed with pictures of red wine actually usually comes from Japanese Knotweed as this is the most economical way to extract it. Whatever its plant origin, the resveratrol available on the market also varies in its quality, dosage and effectiveness so it is important to buy from a reputable supplier.

As resveratrol is a fairly fragile substance that breaks down easily, a variety of techniques are used to ensure enough of it actually reaches the bloodstream and is not broken down by the digestive system too early. This only strengthens the argument for taking care in choosing a supplier.

Read more on Resveratrol Supplements here or you can Buy Resveratrol Supplements at StriptheFat.org