Resveratrol: What is it and what does it do?

What is Reveratrol?

Those who have taken or heard of grape seed might not know that an important part of the grape, the skin was being left behind. The grape skin contains an important antioxidant known as resveratrol.

Resveratrol in found in red wine, red grape skins, purple grape juice, mulberries, and in smaller amounts in peanuts. It is often used as a medicine.

What does Resveratrol do?

Sticky Blood Platelets

Resveratrol is used to help against “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis), lowering “bad” (LDL) cholesterol levels, increasing “good” (HDL) cholesterol levels, and preventing cancer.

Resveratrol is an antioxidant that has many great properties. It decreases the “stickiness” of blood platelets which otherwise are more likely to form clots in blood vessels, which in turn can lead to thrombosis. Therefore resveratrol helps blood vessels to remain open an decreases the risk of this.

Breast Disease

Resveratrol may also be helpful in the treatment of breast diseases. Some research suggests that resveratrol has weak estrogen (a female hormone) effects. It may also decrease pain and swelling (inflammation).

Diabetes

Studies indicate that resveratrol can inhibit glucose uptake and may prevent or abate metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.

In controlled studies, resveratrol may have been shown to reduce skin-cancer tumours by up to 98% and to stop production of leukaemia cells. It may even halt the spread of cancer throughout the body.

In 2003, the results of a study were released that showed that resveratrol may extend lifespan by as much as 70% by activating a “longevity gene” expressed during caloric restriction.

Fasting or caloric restriction is known to extend the lifespan of mammals, and scientists studied this on humans by supplementing with resveratrol to be able to receive the same longevity benefits of caloric restriction. Resveratrol subsequently hit the news for its potential ability to extend life. Resveratrol, however, is not easily available from grape skin and the most easily available source is Japanese Knotweed.

Another concern is the question of bioavailability. Pure trans-resveratrol tends not to have good bio-availability because it is rapidly metabolized by the liver. When delivered as a liposomal and left to absorb in the mouth it quickly enters the bloodstream and gets to work.