Resveratrol is one of the most studied natural polyphenol compounds and is found in the skins and seeds of red and purple grapes, berries, peanuts, and pistachios.
When plants face constant environmental stress such as from fungus, drought, ultraviolet radiation, and insect infestation, their intrinsic defense mechanism is to produce polyphenols.
Resveratrol was isolated by a Japanese scientist in 1939 from the roots of the white hellebore plant. It gained attention in 1992 when researchers suggested that this component found in red wine had cardioprotective qualities that might explain the “French paradox,” the observation that the French drink a lot of red wine and have low rates of heart disease despite a high-fat diet.
Since then, resveratrol has been studied more broadly and has shown tremendous protective potential at the cellular level.
“The in vitro and in vivo studies point to the exact mechanisms of how it works in terms of being cardioprotective, cancer preventative, cancer therapeutic, neuroprotective, helpful in people who are obese, [helpful for] glucose metabolism, anti-inflammatory, and an antioxidant,” Dr. Nathan Goodyear, a medical doctor and integrative cancer expert, told The Epoch Times.
Longevity and Disease Prevention
Research has shown that calorie restriction can delay or prevent many age-related diseases and extend lifespan, and resveratrol can mimic the action of calorie restriction.
Although calorie restriction has many benefits, including increased insulin sensitivity and improved overall metabolic health, most people don’t want to spend the day counting calories or fasting.
Resveratrol mimics calorie restriction by activating signaling proteins called sirtuins, which can regulate inflammation, repair DNA, promote insulin sensitivity, and help form neurons in the brain. These proteins are also associated with healthy aging and longevity.
Cardiovascular Benefits
Cardiovascular disease is primarily the result of a chronic low-grade inflammatory condition that can cause atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, heart attacks, and heart failure.According to Ms. Costa, “resveratrol decreases the serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are critical compounds involved in the body’s inflammatory response, suggesting resveratrol may be beneficial as an adjuvant therapy for chronic inflammation and cardiovascular disease.”
Most studies have been performed in the lab or on animals and show the positive effects of resveratrol on the heart, prompting several randomized controlled trials in humans over the past decade to determine if the same benefits apply to both healthy and chronically ill humans. The results in humans have been variable, possibly due to inconsistent protocols and doses of resveratrol. Yet many studies have shown positive effects on coronary artery disease, including decreased arterial stiffness, hypertension, inflammation, and cholesterol.
May Regulate the Gut Microbiome
The gut microbiome, a community of trillions of microorganisms living in the digestive tract, is believed by many to be the most critical factor in overall health. It consists of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes; when they live in concord in the gut, all body systems work harmoniously. But when those microorganisms are unhealthy and unbalanced, it can lead to several acute and chronic illnesses, including gastrointestinal problems, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cancer, and autoimmune diseases.May Suppress Cancer Cells
In 1997, researchers found that resveratrol prevented cancer cell growth on the skin of mice. Since then, an overwhelming number of studies have focused on resveratrol’s anti-cancer properties.Resveratrol affects cancer at different stages, from initiation to progression, through various signaling pathways regulating cell growth, cell destruction, inflammation, metastasis, and the development of new blood vessels. An interesting aspect of resveratrol is that it can protect normal cells while causing cancer cell death. Researchers have also found that lower concentrations of resveratrol can increase the expression of cell survival proteins, while higher concentrations stimulate cancer cell death.
Dr. Goodyear told The Epoch Times that despite the limited studies, there are advances in solving resveratrol’s problems with administration and bioavailability. Still, more studies are needed that look specifically at women with breast cancer, men with prostate cancer, people with cardiovascular disease, or those who have had a stroke.
“The problem with that is it takes time and money,” he said. “Most people who have a lot of interest in these natural therapies unfortunately don’t have the money to put into the large clinical trials we need to solve the limitations.”
May Protect Against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
Unlike other antioxidants, resveratrol has the unique ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Studies are ongoing, and researchers believe there is tremendous potential for resveratrol to become a viable therapy for Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.
Protein Misfolding
Proteins can’t work effectively when they aren’t in the correct formation. The protein misfolding in Alzheimer’s disease involves accumulating abnormally folded beta-amyloid and tau proteins. Resveratrol has been shown to inhibit beta-amyloid malformation by decreasing its production through sirtuin pathways. It interferes with the amyloid pathway via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and reduces amyloid plaque production of free radicals and neuroinflammation.Cellular Metabolism
Researchers have found that fasting can benefit cognitive performance and Alzheimer’s disease prevention by releasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which regulates cellular processes involved in normal brain function; reduced levels are often associated with degenerative brain disorders.Inflammation
Localized inflammation and microglia, the immune cells of the brain that regulate the brain’s response to illness through inflammation, contribute to neurodegeneration and cognitive decline in the brain. Reducing this brain inflammation appears to be effective in slowing and even modifying the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in animal models.Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Free Radicals
Mitochondria are called the “powerhouse of the cell” for good reason. Their primary function is to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the prime cellular energy source essential for muscle contraction, cell membrane potential, maintaining the proper electrical pathways between cells, and overall cellular metabolism.Healthy mitochondria have antioxidant defense mechanisms that protect cells from free radicals that damage cells and lead to aging and disease. Mitochondria’s control over apoptosis (programmed cell death) is crucial for eliminating damaged or malfunctioning cells that may contribute to neurodegeneration.
Telomere Shortening
Telomeres are the repetitive DNA sequences on the end of chromosomes that act as protective caps, preventing the loss of fundamental genetic information as cells divide. Every time cells divide, telomeres become shorter and shorter. Eventually, when they are so small and can no longer divide, they die. Although inevitable and part of aging, protecting telomeres from becoming reduced prematurely promotes more youthful cells and prevents age-related diseases.Shortened telomeres play a significant role in Alzheimer’s by increasing the potential for DNA damage, cellular dysfunction and impaired regeneration, neuroinflammation, and eventual neuronal death.
May Increase Insulin Sensitivity
Increasing evidence suggests that oxidative stress plays a critical role in diabetes progression. Resveratrol’s potent antioxidant properties and ability to activate sirtuins, particularly SIRT1, make it a potential candidate for targeting the underlying cellular abnormalities of Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and metabolic disease.Studies have found that resveratrol can safely reduce the chronic inflammatory properties often associated with obesity while restoring insulin sensitivity, reducing inflammatory injury to blood vessels, and attenuating oxidative stress on the pancreas as insulin levels increase. These studies also show that resveratrol can help save pancreatic beta cells and improve glucose tolerance with SIRT1 activation.
May Relieve Joint Pain
Resveratrol’s anti-inflammatory properties have been shown to slow down or stop the degeneration of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.Rheumatoid Arthritis
Resveratrol has shown the potential to mediate pathways and enzymes that can inhibit the production of inflammatory molecules in the body. Its antioxidant properties can also help protect joints from rheumatoid arthritis-related oxidative stress.Osteoarthritis
A recent study suggests that resveratrol can potentially prevent and treat knee osteoarthritis (KOA) by reducing inflammation, apoptosis, and cartilage degeneration. The study concluded that resveratrol will become an alternative therapy for preventing and treating KOA.Potential Risks
“While resveratrol has been linked to various health benefits, it’s important to consider potential risks and adverse outcomes,” Ms. Costa said. “At high doses, resveratrol has been reported to have toxic effects, cause gastrointestinal issues, and interfere with certain enzymes, which can lead to interactions with other drugs.”Potential medication interactions include anticoagulants and anti-platelet drugs since resveratrol may cause clotting and, therefore, may be contraindicated. It’s best to consult a physician before taking resveratrol to determine the proper dosing and potential drug interactions.
The Bottom Line
Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that has shown tremendous promise across extensive clinical studies in lab animals and humans, yet there’s much to learn about its potential in preventing and treating future chronic health conditions.“When you look at resveratrol broadly, it’s super exciting, and there is so much we don’t understand about it,” Dr. Goodyear said. “I think there is no doubt resveratrol will positively impact a wide spectrum of diseases preventatively and in targeted treatments.”
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