Resveratrol - the age-defying cancer fighter
Life is too short so lets have a glass of wine and enjoy it. As it turns out, doing so we actually reverse time. As some of you already heard, red wine contains a very powerful nutrient that might be the answer for the so called French Paradox. This ingredient is Resveratrol. Researches revealed that this amazing antioxidant helps in breaking down the stored fat, deposited in the white adipose tissue of your body as the fat is metabolized by the liver - which is probably why French people suffer fewer hearth diseases than the Americans even though they have diet higher in fats but drink red wine on regular basis.
What is Resveratrol?
Resveratrol (3,5,4’-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is a powerful herbal antioxidant. Resveratrol is a polyphenol and phytoalexin produced naturally by several plants when under attack by pathogens such as bacteria or fungi. In nature, it synthesizes in the seeds, peel and in smaller quantities in grape leaves. It is believed that plants are experiencing stress, for example during regeneration of damaged sections of stems, leaves, retaining moisture in dry periods, low temperatures, etc. and resveratrol is the natural antibiotic that helps them to cope with these external shocks and protect them from diseases.
Resveratrol occurs in two forms — cis and trans resveratrol — but it is the trans isomer that is biologically active.
What is Resveratrol?
Resveratrol (3,5,4’-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is a powerful herbal antioxidant. Resveratrol is a polyphenol and phytoalexin produced naturally by several plants when under attack by pathogens such as bacteria or fungi. In nature, it synthesizes in the seeds, peel and in smaller quantities in grape leaves. It is believed that plants are experiencing stress, for example during regeneration of damaged sections of stems, leaves, retaining moisture in dry periods, low temperatures, etc. and resveratrol is the natural antibiotic that helps them to cope with these external shocks and protect them from diseases.
Resveratrol occurs in two forms — cis and trans resveratrol — but it is the trans isomer that is biologically active.
Where is it found?
Resveratrol was discovered in 1939 by the Japanese scientist Takaoka, who isolated it from a medicinal plant of lily family. Resveratrol is a compound found in the skins of red fruits, grapes, seeds, berries (especially mulberries), peanuts, red wine and various herbs.
What are the benefits?
Resveratrol is used as an active ingredient by Chinese and Japanese to treat inflammatory, allergic, lipid, hypertensive and human fungal diseases for decades.We can benefit from resveratrol by consuming grape juice, wine, fresh grapes. Such a "diet" leads to a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, thrombosis. Since the human body needs more resveratrol than the content in a glass of wine, we need to take it as a supplement. Studies show that resveratrol taken regularly has the following benefits:
Resveratrol is used as an active ingredient by Chinese and Japanese to treat inflammatory, allergic, lipid, hypertensive and human fungal diseases for decades.We can benefit from resveratrol by consuming grape juice, wine, fresh grapes. Such a "diet" leads to a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, thrombosis. Since the human body needs more resveratrol than the content in a glass of wine, we need to take it as a supplement. Studies show that resveratrol taken regularly has the following benefits:
- Anti-aging benefits - Resveratrol mimics the effects of calorie restricted diet and in the same way activates the longevity gene SIRT1. In fact, studies revealed that resveratrol even counteract the damage effect of high-caloric diet.
- Cancer prevention benefits - Researchers reported that used topically, resveratrol prevents skin cancer. More studies showed that given prophylactically, reduced or prevented the development of cancer. It also seems to have a therapeutic gain by making tumor cells more sensitive to radiation and making normal tissue less sensitive.
- Neuroprotective effects – protects form Alzheimer disease
- Anti-inflammatory effects - resveratrol inhibits both acute and chronic phases of the inflammatory process
- Cardioprotective effects - protects from heart diseases
- Anti-diabetic effects - lowers blood sugar level
- Antiviral effects - inhibits herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, certain influenza virus, respiratory viruses, enhances the activity of several anti-HIV drugs.
