Transcript Title With Picture Layout

WHY ALL THE HYPE
AROUND
RESVERATROL?
By Kanishk Rawat
French Paradox and its Relation with Resveratrol
Specifically, it was postulated that resveratrol intake via moderate red wine
consumption might help explain the fact that French people have a relatively
low incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) in spite of consuming foods
high in saturated fat, a phenomenon dubbed the “French Paradox”
What is Resveratrol?
 Resveratrol (3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene) belongs to a class of polyphenolic
compounds called stilbenes
 Certain plants produce resveratrol in response to stress, injury, fungal
infection, or ultraviolet (UV) radiation
 cis- ((Z)-resveratrol, left) and trans-resveratrol ((E)-resveratrol, right)
Sources?
 Skin of grapes, blueberries, raspberries and mulberries
 Red wine
 Sprouted peanuts
 Small amounts in Cocoa powder, baking chocolate and dark
chocolate
 Resveratrol supplements.
So, What’s the Hype all about?
The Hype is related to all the health benefits that might occur after its consumption:
1.
Disease Prevention
 Heart disease:
Resveratrol helps reduce inflammation, prevents the oxidation of LDL "bad" cholesterol,
and makes it more difficult for platelets to stick together and form the clots that can
lead to a heart attack.
 Cancer:
Resveratrol is thought to limit the spread of cancer cells and trigger the process of
cancer cell death (apoptosis).
 Alzheimer's disease:
Resveratrol may protect nerve cells from damage and the build-up of plaque that can
lead to Alzheimer's.
So, What’s the Hype all about?
 Diabetes:
Resveratrol helps prevent insulin resistance, a condition in which the body becomes
less sensitive to the effects of the blood sugar-lowering hormone, insulin. Insulin
resistance is a precursor to diabetes.
 Longevity:
Caloric restriction is known to extend the lifespan of a number of species, including
yeast, worms, flies, fish, rats, and mice. Caloric restriction stimulates the activity of an
enzyme known as Silent information regulator 2 protein (Sir2) or sirtuin and thus
increasing their lifespan.
Note: All these studies were carried on some cell cultures and animal models. There
have been limited human trials and for the verification, more trials need to be done.
Side Effects
 The research on resveratrol has focused on its short-term effects and has been
dominated by in vitro (laboratory) studies on non-human models.
 Not enough is known about the absorption and clearance of resveratrol, the
identities of its metabolic products, or its effects on the liver.
 Resveratrol's role as a potentiator of breast carcinomas may significantly limit its
use.
 Its main dietary source is red wine. Not only is its concentration in wine extremely
variable, but recommending increased consumption of red wine to boost resveratrol
intake could certainly do more harm than good. In spite of any beneficial aspects,
red wine and other alcoholic beverages pose health risks that include liver damage
and physical addiction.
Side Effects
 Drug interactions:
Resveratrol has been found to inhibit human platelet aggregation in vitro.
Theoretically, high intakes of resveratrol (i.e., from supplements) could increase the
risk of bruising and bleeding when taken with anticoagulant drugs, such as warfarin
(Coumadin) and heparin; antiplatelet drugs, such as clopidogrel (Plavix) and
dipyridamole (Persantine); and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
including aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen, and others.
 Like other supplements, resveratrol isn't regulated by the FDA, so it's difficult for
consumers to know exactly what they're getting when they buy a bottle, or whether
the product is actually effective. There also isn't any specific dosage
recommendation, and dosages can vary from supplement to supplement.
Conclusions
Only human clinical trials can determine whether
supplementation is useful for humans. Most clinical
trials of other antioxidants have failed to
demonstrate the benefits suggested by preliminary
studies. Prior to 2010, resveratrol had not been
tested in clinical trials. Since that time there have
been some, most of which were small, short-term (a
year of less), and designed to evaluate possible
therapeutic effects rather than disease-preventive
effects. A trial to evaluate preventive effects would
need to be large and lengthy and would therefore be
extremely expensive.
My advice is to ignore the hype surrounding
resveratrol and eat a balanced diet that contains
adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables.