My Resveratrol Experience

Resveratrol, Longevity, and Living Life to It's Fullest!

Recently a close friend of mine asked me why I was so focused on "living longer" and not on the "now." I thought to myself this person must not get me because I am just as interested in my life "as I live it" as I am at prolonging it.

After a deeper thought process I became more aware of how people perceived me versus how I perceived myself.  While I am much less concerned about what people think of me compared to how I feel about myself, it is nice for those who are close to you to be able to understand who you really are. This level of understanding is what builds a strong relationship.

So I decided to write out my thoughts regarding what I am interested in from a longevity standpoint, as well as, in my current life.

Longevity to me is important perhaps for selfish reasons.  I want to live longer so I can be around my family and friends longer.  I want to see what the world will be like in 50, 75, or 100 years from now.  I want to be here to experience what many call the "Singularity."

Quercetin, Resveratrol's Cousin, Increases Endurance In Athletes

Quercetin, likes it's cousin resveratrol, has been shown to increase endurance by up to 13.2 percent in healthy active individuals.

Over the past year resveratrol has out shined quercetin in the flavanoid category of health supplements.  Many people have taken quercetin over the years to help with athletic performance and even with hopes of it having cancer fighting properties.

Quercetin is a flavanoid found in different plants and berries.  It has been tested in laboratories for its cancer fighting properties but has yet to be clinically proven to treat cancer in humans.  It is thought by many nutrition experts that the combination of resveratrol and quercetin is a powerful antioxidant mix that carries the potential for strong synergistic results. (Wikipedia)

While, as with resveratrol, little human studies have been completed to prove the benefits of quercetin, this past week researchers at the University of South Carolina released new research studying athletic performance.  12 healthy individuals were given either 500mg twice per day of quercetin mixed with Tang or a placebo of Tang minus the quercetin.

Resveratrol Research Being Performed by Students at Major Universities

Scouring the the web for recent news on resveratrol research I came across a video I found rather inspiring.  Mohnal Mehta, a Rutgers University Undergraduate Student, discusses her interest in researching resveratrol as a Chemotherapeutic Agent.

Under the direction of well known PhD's, Undergraduate and Graduate students are some times leading the way in fields often under researched.  This research provides insight into lessor known fields and also opens up the possibilities of scientific break through that can be confirmed by peer review.

While the video doesn't get into great detail regarding the work Monal is doing it does offer some basic insight into resveratrol as a Chemotherapeutic Agent.  Learn more by watching the video below.

Resveratrol Use & Lifestyle Change Personal Update

15 Months Later, Goals Achieved and New Ones Set!

Many of you have followed my journey to a new Healthstyle. Getting started was by far the most difficult part, but once I got going the rest fell into place.  Now I am eating well, working out regularly, and have a much greater understanding of how my body works.

I am often asked from visitors of this site if I think resveratrol was the reason for my health successes.  For that reason I wanted to make my answer to this question very clear.

While I believe resveratrol has played a role in getting healthy it was not the sole reason.  I think resveratrol acts in a supportive role to a healthy lifestyle. What I hope for is that by taking it I am getting healthy from the inside out.

What does "inside out" mean?  Resveratrol is shown to work from a cellular level by activating Sirtuins, Sirt1 in particular, which helps our cells regulate themselves.  Damaged cells are either repaired or die off, and healthy cells work more efficiently.

Resveratrol Absorption via Buccal Mucosa Delivery

Increasing the bioavailability of resveratrol by way of oral consumption in liquid form.

The absorption capabilities of standard form powdered resveratrol has been a target of many discussions among those researching resveratrol both clinically and personally. Like many supplements and pharmaceuticals, it is one thing to consume it, but is another for you to actually absorb and not disregard it as waste. This "problem" has caused many to try and find better ways to increase the bioavailability of resveratrol.

Resveratrol is rapidly metabolized by humans which makes for little absorption into our blood stream in it's basic trans form. In hopes to determine a better way to maximize bioavailability many have tried the following methods:

Transdermal Delivery: this method works by applying resveratrol directly to the skin via a lotion (cream) or by using a transdermal patch. The patch is becoming a very popular way to deliver medications. Most commonly used for the Nicotine Patch, it is also used for many other drugs.

Micronizing Resveratrol Particle Size: this is the act of refining the standard particle size of resveratrol to a much smaller size of under 10 microns (10um). In previous studies micronization of drugs improved both bioavailability and clinical efficacy.

Resveratrol Red Wine: The Best of Both Worlds!

Health from drinking? Red Wine (and Whites) provide resveratrol and a good time!

If you ask most people, "What is Resveratrol?," they will most likely look at you as if you were speaking a foreign language.  They will typically say back to you, "resvera-what?" Then you say to them, "you know, the stuff in wine that's good for you!"  "Oh yeah, I heard about that."

Since this is a common discussion I thought it would be best to dispel some myths regarding Resveratrol in Red Wine.  I may also drink a bottle of my favorite Pinot Noir while I type this!

Myth #1: Resveratrol is only found in red wine and not white wines.

Reality: While Red Wine "does" contain a greater percentage of resveratrol in it, white wines also have resveratrol in them.  The amounts in white wines such as Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio are much lower then in most reds.

Myth #2: Resveratrol supplements are made from extracting it from red wines.

Reality: While many resveratrol companies want you to think that is where the resv comes from, most quality products get their resveratrol from the Japanese Knotweed.  Knotweed is a much more cost effective and higher quality approach to making trans-resveratrol products.

Myth #3: Red wine has the highest concentrations of resveratrol compared to other foods.

Resveratrol Scam: Warning and Consumer Alert!

Before you buy resveratrol read this article!

On November 13th, 2008 I wrote an article discussing whether or not resveratrol was a scam.  The article, "Resveratrol Scam - Take the Money and Run," was written prior to the "Free Trial" scam that has taken over the market.  While there are a few companies souring the industry it does not mean ALL companies and their products are bad.

These "Free Trial Offers" are not a new scam.  They have been around for years and prior to resveratrol they were focusing on the Acai Berry supplement industry.  It has gotten so bad that Attorney Generals from multiple states, including Florida and Connecticut, have begun investigations into the companies offering these trials.  They are also evaluating the claims some of these companies are making about their products. (Read: ABC News - Beware Acai Berry Free Offers)

The AG's are not only investigating the free offers, but the fraudulent celebrity endorsements used by the companies.  Oprah Winfrey's company, HARPO Productions, has stated they do not support or endorse these products offered by the companies using her photos and video clips.

While Oprah, Dr. Oz, and programs like 60-Minutes have run segments on the benefits of Acai and Resveratrol, they do not commercially endorse these products.  Companies using their photos and video clips do so without the approval of the respective individuals.

A look at the Free Trial Scams

Muscle Madness: Weight Training Reduces Risk of Cancer Up To 40%

Resveratrol isn't the only anti-cancer research focus in the world.

Reducing the risk of cancer is something that most people don't consciously think about. Those that do often stick to strict diets high in Vitamin C content along with a high energy fitness program.

Until now, most overlooked the need for weight training along with their aerobic exercise routines.  Researchers at Sweden's Karolinska Institute have completed studies that show men who weight train at least twice per week are up to 40% less likely to develop cancers.

The research also indicated men who were overweight or had above average BMI ratings, were less likely to develop cancers then those without strength training as part of a weekly routine.

Scientists tracked and documented 8,677 men between the ages of 20 and 82.  From 1980 to 2003, the men under went routine medical check-ups to track there lifestyles and strength levels.  The data revealed men who weight lifted regularly and had the most muscles enjoyed up to a 40% decreased likelihood of dieing from cancer.

My Resveratrol Experience Memorial Day Contest!

With all of the "serious" resveratrol and health talk lately, I thought it was time to have some FUN!!  How do we have fun on a blog you might ask?  CONTESTS and PRIZES of course!!  Who doesn't enjoy a good contest to liven things up a bit.

So I made a decision to run a contest that would benefit all of us as a community site.  That means more information sharing from the readers of MRE.  The terms will be rather easy to qualify for the contest prize. (I'll get to the prize in a little bit)

Step 1: You must be an email subscriber of My Resveratrol Experience. (it's FREE) Just enter your email address in the box on the left side of any page on the site. Remember you will need to confirm this address by clicking on the link you will be sent by email. (We do not sell or share email addresses at MRE)

Step 2: Contribute to the site in the form of a comment. Find an article interesting or want to share your own personal resveratrol experience? Just comment below the article.  **Note: the comment has to be relevant and not spam related. Just saying "Hi" or reciting the "Pledge of Allegiance" won't qualify you.

By completing both steps you will be entered into a random drawing for a "$50.00 Amazon.com Gift Certificate."  Yep, that's right, $50.00 to buy whatever you like. It's on MRE!

**The first 5 comments you make get you entries into the drawing.  That gives you 5 chances to get a $50.00 Amazon Gift Certificate!

(Existing email subscribers just need to complete Step #2.  Just remember the email address you use to post comments must match with the address you used to subscribe.)

The contest will run between now and will end Midnight (12:00am EST) on June 1st, 2009.  You have 10 days to get your 5 entries into the contest.

If you have any questions please post them below. (no, they won't count as contest entries)

The "Not So" fine print: The contest will be administered by Markus. You will have to trust he will carry out the contest fairly. If you are the winner Markus will contact you using the email address used to subscribe. You will have 72 hours to respond or I will choose another winner.

So get to posting some quality comments!!

Live Longer,

Markus

Resveratrol, an Antioxidant: What does that mean?

If you are like me you are familiar with hearing the term "Antioxidant" being used rather frequently. Health gurus all over the world are telling us we need antioxidants to help repair the normal every day stresses are body endures.

The term antioxidant starts with "anti", meaning opposed to or against. Let's find out what we are opposed to, the oxidant.

An oxidant causes oxidation, or oxidative stress on our cells.  This stress is caused by the over abundance of molecules called free radicals.  These free radicals are imbalanced in the number of electrons they carry causing them to scavenge (give or steal) from other molecules in our body.  By doing this they damage other cells and DNA.

Common every day examples of oxidative stress are apples turning brown or new copper turning green, or what is known as "patina."  Perhaps the most well known example of oxidation can be seen on The Statue of Liberty.  As you can see, once copper in color the Statue is now commonly known as patina green in color.

While oxidation is a normal physiological process that is good for us, too much of it causes the imbalance explained above. This stress then causes irreparable damage to our cells. This is where "Antioxidants" such as resveratrol come into play.

The Theory of Resveratrol Providing Us With Longevity Explained!

"Reaching the age of 130 because of Resveratrol..."  Where's the proof?

The original scientific theory regarding the benefits of resveratrol were derived from the phenomenon known as the "French Paradox."  While the French were known to have diets full of carbohydrates and high fat foods they still out lived a majority of those with similar diets.  It was determined the Red Wine consumption (and the resveratrol in that wine) of the French played a role in this paradox.  

While this lifestyle theory gave researchers a hypothesis to prove, it also opened up a myriad of other potential benefits resveratrol could provide.  We have seen resveratrol studies focused on diseases of aging such as Cancer, Diabetes, and Heart Disease. We have also watched mice run faster and longer while increasing their lifespans by up to 30%.

But what are we really after?  For most of us it is living past the normal life expectancy age of 75. Taking that a step further we don't just want to live longer, we want to live longer as healthy as we were in our 60's, 50's or why not even our 30's.  I like to refer to this "want" as the "deceleration of aging."

Why resveratrol then?  One prominent theory of using resveratrol as an anti-aging supplement refers to a calorie restriction diet, or CR diet. CR diets are best explained as eating about 30% fewer calories then your body needs with a standard diet. By using supplements, vitamins, and eating certain high nutrient foods, CR diet is touted as a healthy lifestyle by many practitioners. (more on Calorie Restriction)

Living Longer: There's More to It Than Resveratrol Alone!

Focus on your "Healthstyle" to add healthy years to your life!

The headlines, news clips, and talk show segments are all touting the benefits of resveratrol. You hear the catch phrases almost daily now:

"The Fountain of Youth" - "Longevity in a Bottle" - "The French Paradox"

These headlines are being thrown around like they actually mean something. So who can blame us for getting caught up in what "could be" even though we are missing the reality.

We hear the professionals telling us to add resveratrol to our diets, but what most people miss is what else these professionals are saying...

"Resveratrol should be a part of an overall healthy lifestyle."

This doesn't mean you can eat high fat foods all day, washed down with a six pack of beer.  It doesn't mean you can sit on your couch and the only exercise you get is a trip to the fridge or bathroom. Just taking your "miracle" resveratrol pill won't solve the ailments created by an unhealthy lifestyle.