Resveratrol Side Effects, Benefits, Dosage, and Research Information - My Resveratrol Experience

Resveratrol Side Effects: User Feedback, The Postives! (Part 2)

Three weeks ago I posted the first part of this two part article on the side-effects of resveratrol.  Part One focused on the potentially negative side effects users have experienced.  Part Two will focus on the positive effects users have shared on My Resveratrol Experience.

Remember, Side Effects Aren't Always Negative, Are They?  There have been certain side effects, both intended and unintended, that caused positive reactions when it comes to supplements and pharmaceuticals.  Let's hope resveratrol has more positive then negative.

Please keep in mind, the list below has not been verified or proven by any scientific research. Here is a compilation of what users of resveratrol have reported as positive effects:

• Increased ability to focus mentally. Users have noted being able to concentrate for longer periods of time compared to their normal patterns.

• Decrease the sensitivity in the bowels caused by Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

• Many endurance athletes (cyclists, runners, & swimmers) note the ability to increase distances and decrease times.

• Decrease in both total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Also noted was an increase in good cholesterol, HDL.

Resveratrol Increases Cognitive Performance: It Can Help You Think!

A new human study shows Resveratrol improves our ability to think.

It all makes sense now!  I always felt smarter, sharper, and more in tune with my surroundings after 3 or 4 glasses of red wine. OK, perhaps that was just my buzz!  

On a more serious note, researchers at Northumbria University gave 24 healthy adults either placebo, 500mg of resveratrol, or 1000mg of resveratrol.  Cognitive tests were given prior to the administration of either the placebo or resveratrol.  The subjects given the resveratrol showed a significant increase in blood flow to the brain and performed better on the cognitive related tests.

Researcher Emma Wightman led the study and had the following to say, "This is the first time this effect has been tested in healthy adults. There is so much conflicting information these days about the effects of diet that it is interesting to see that a component you'll come across in many everyday foods, including fruit, vegetables and red wine, can have a positive effect on brain function."

My Resveratrol Experience 1 Year Update!

A year has passed since I began my journey into Resveratrol, Anti-Aging, and an overall healthier lifestyle. My life has changed in so many ways over the past year.  I've lost weight, lost body fat, changed my diet, re-introduced myself to supplements & vitamins, and most importantly became a father.

I talked about making these changes for years, always thinking, "I would get to it."  The reality is I never got to it until "I GOT TO IT!"

It was easy to "talk the talk" because it was an excuse I convinced myself was sufficient. I was wrong, it was a terrible excuse! So when I actually started making the changes I was proud of myself and started feeling good almost immediately.

My resveratrol experience isn't just about taking resveratrol, it is about change, and the resveratrol was just part of it.  It was an outlet for me to express myself and share with others what I had learned.  It was, and still remains, my own personal therapy.

Sirtris Continues to Lead The Way In Resveratrol Based Research

Scientist have yet to prove if more resveratrol, or a stronger derivative of resveratrol, is actually better for us.  The first step will be to assess safety in humans prior to studying the effects of these drugs on specific diseases.  A company previously discussed here on MRE, Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, a GSK Company, is the leader in developing resveratrol based pharmaceutials.

I recently revisited their website to find a few updates regarding the progress they are making with SRT501 and SRT2104.  Sirtris has the following updates on their website: (Source: Click to visit Sirtris' Site)

SRT501 Update:

"SRT501, a SIRT1 activator, is our proprietary formulation of resveratrol with improved bioavailability.

SRT501 was found to be safe and well tolerated in two Phase IIa clinical studies in patients with Type 2 Diabetes.  In the second Phase IIa trial, Type 2 Diabetic patients were given 1.25 or 2.5 grams of SRT501 orally twice daily for 28 days. The patient group receiving 2.5 grams twice a day had significantly lower blood glucose levels as determined through an oral glucose tolerance test on day 28 at the test’s two-hour time point, as compared to the placebo group. 

At 2.5 grams twice daily, the study also found that SRT501 had a statistically significant lowering of both fasting blood glucose and glucose levels after meals, known as the postprandial period, an important time frame for patients with Type 2 Diabetes who need better control of blood sugar levels after eating.

Side Effects of Resveratrol: A User Compilation! (Part 1)

While the benefits of Resveratrol have been clearly documented, let's focus on the "potential negative" side effects first.

Just about a year has gone by since My Resveratrol Experience was started. In that time over 100 articles have been posted along with hundreds of user comments.  The hottest topic has clearly been on resveratrol side effects.

Many people make a wise decision by searching before buying, or consuming, a new supplement. The search isn't necessarily for who makes the best supplement but what the supplement can do to their bodies.

Below is a consolidated list of side effects users have reported while taking resveratrol. Please remember, this list is anecdotal and NOT based on scientific research. Placebo effect is also a great possibility. We will have to wait for companies like Sirtris Pharmaceuticals to complete their FDA trials before we get a more accurate list.

• A buzzed feeling, similar to a caffeine high or rush. Some also describe the feeling to be dizziness.

• Insomnia that comes on fast and lasts for varying amounts of time. Some users say it subsides after a week or two of use.

• An increase in blood pressure occasionally into the "high" range.  

• Stomach cramping and diarrhea. It should be noted this is likely due to the emodin content in lower quality or purity resveratrol supplements. A certificate of authorization from an independent lab can confirm this.