So let's get started... what is resveratrol? Resveratrol is a phytoalexin produced naturally by several plants as an antibiotic substance to fight fungi and bacteria. As a nutritional supplement, resveratrol is most commonly produced from the root of the Japanese KnotWeed (polygonum cuspidatum). Knotweed isn't the only source as Resveratrol can be found in the skin of grapes, cranberries, peanuts, and various other naturally grown plants.
Resveratrol gained it's popularity when researchers derived a thesis that the "French Paradox" (the ability for those living in France to consume a high caloric and high fat laden diet and in turn live longer then the average human) could be explained by the high consumption of red wine in the typical French diet. To this date there isn't any hard proof showing this is to be the case. There also isn't any evidence to support that it is not. The reason for skeptisism is that the amount of ResV in a bottle of wine is so little you would have to drink upwards of 1000 bottles a day to receive the positive affects researchers believe is obtainable through ResV.
There has been some preliminary research that suggest ResV could have many positive effects on the human body. The following is a list of those possibilities: a powerful antoxidant, increase exercise tolerance and stamina, fight heart disease, slow or reverse memory loss, anti-aging effects, anti-cancer, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory effects. As you can see these are some serious potentially life changing effects.
This is were modern technology and pharmacuetical/supplement science comes in. Supplement manufacturers have been able to highly concentrate resveratrol into powders and capsules containing up to 1000mg of 99% pure ResV. This has enabled an entirely new round of non-fda governed testing from many individuals, myself included. Further, there are currently several pharmeceutical companies testing ResV the most well known being Sirtris Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: SIRT) who is currently in the process of being acquired by GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) for approximately $720 million. SIRT recently acquired orphan status approval from the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for the usage of Resveratrol to treat MELAS Syndrome. Does this give some validity to resvertrol? I think so, but I am not 100% sold yet. The proof is in the pudding so to speak.
To keep everyone in the loop...
I starting taking 500mg of 99% pure Resveratrol on Friday, May 2nd, 2008. I'll do my best to give a weekly recap of how I feel it is affecting me. If you have any additional information to add or questions you would like to ask please post or email me.
P.S. - I should have the start of a Resveratrol resource page up in the next week or two. So check back often for new posts. Something you would like to see on the site, just let me know.
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