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.

• Increase in energy levels.

• Decrease in body fat in connection with a moderate workout routine. People who have worked out for years and were unable to lower their body fat any more have claimed resveratrol helped them to decrease their body fat levels.

• Decrease appetite and a higher caloric burn rate.

If you have any positive side effects to add to the list please do so below in the comments section.  If you have any negative side effects please post them in the comments section in Part One of this article.

Check out some Resveratrol Supplements here!

Comments

[Dr. Davon Jacobson, MD]

This is really a well laid out website. I like how you have presented the information in full detail. Keep up the great work and please stop by my site sometime.

[Resveratrol Benefits]

These positive effects are amazing, but let's just hope they continue to be proven in further depth and show more results as well!

[Kumar]

You seem to have searched a lot about resveratrol. I am a retired physician. I have been taking Resveratrol for about 2 weeks. My blood pressure seems to be higher than usual. I searched the Medline etc and could not see anything pertaining to that. On the contrary the science behind the drug should have a beneficial effect on the blood pressure.
Any comments appreciated

[Admin]

Hello Dr. Kumar,

Thank you for visiting MRE. I have heard of others having similar side effects of increasing blood pressure. I also know that resveratrol can have certain interactions with other drugs. I believe blood thinners and blood pressure medicines are on the list. I believe if you have a recent PDR it may list the effects. My doctor looked up the interactions on a website that needed membership so I don't have access myself.

If you are not on any other medication that could cause such a reaction then of course you would have to come to the conclusion the resveratrol is causing the change in blood pressure.

If it is moving it into dangerous levels then you should stop taking it. If it's manageable and you feel worth the potential risks then you could continue taking it. Another option would be trying a different product. Very few products out there offer pure 99% or better resveratrol that isn't mixed with other supplements.

As for the science it does seem there should be a beneficial effect on blood pressure. However, depending on the individual supplements can have different effects based on numerous factors.

Since I am not a physician or trained in the science field I am not qualified to make any definitive statements regarding resveratrol and these side effects. I can only provide a place where people can share their own experiences with others.

If any one has additional information to add please share.

[Brett]

Is "blood pressure higher than usual" a long lasting effect? Or does it go away in time? Over a few weeks or a year?

BTW, We are talking about grape seed extract or is this different? I took grape seed extract 10 years ago and it was awesome for about 3 months then it just felt like my body had enough, I felt overloaded, headaches came on often and I had to quit taking it.

I reduced my intake but my body had developed a bad reaction to it, almost allergic feeling and I quit taking it.

[Admin]

Hi Brett,

Regarding your blood pressure question I do not have a good answer for you. It is not a side effect I have personally experienced so it's difficult for me to comment. Perhaps others who have experienced this can shed some light on the length of time for this to go back to normal levels or not.

As for what we are talking about, it is NOT grape seed extract. Resveratrol supplements are typically made from the Japanese Giant Knotweed Plant aka Polygonum Cupsidatum. While grape seed extract is some times mixed with resveratrol supplements the actual properties are different.

[eileen]

i have been taking resveratrol ultra for about a week and i am sooo constipated. I have taken stool softeners, ground flaxseed, smooth move tea, lots of fruits and veggies to no avail. i feel bloated and uncomfortable. i have never had this problem before in my life. in fact because of my healthy diet (organic and as raw as possible) i have very normal elimination.i had a colonoscopy about a year ago and was told to return in 5 years so i think i'm ok there. this all started when i began taking the resveratrol and it has continued to get worse. any suggestions i need help asap!

[MissM]

Hi Eileen,
I am surprised to see someone with my symptoms exactly! I have been taking resveratrol for about 6 weeks. When I recently upped my dosage from r300 to x500, that is when the problem started. I think that my problem has improved with time, but the first week on the increased dosage was murder. The lower dosage had more emodin in it, which actually causes the opposite problem. Hang in there, and hopefully things will get better. I am assuming that you are taking a 98 or 99 percent pure product. If you went to a less pure product, you may get some relief.

On the plus side, I am sleeping better, my skin is getting smoother, and I have more energy. Most of my fibromyalgia is gone. I am hoping to improve my hearing and vision, as I have read in testimonials in other sites.

[Jutta Peters]

I have been taking resveratrol...250 mg/combination with a "Heart Health" supplement. I decided to take it because my doctor put me on a drug for Ulcerative Colitis and on an anti-anxiety/depression drug (all linked to the UC). Anyway, no doctor ever asked me to have my liver checked every 6 months or my kidney function because of the UC drug and the side effects from the anti-depressants would have been horrible. SO I decided that I should try something on my own. Oh, and I had heart-palpatations a lot due to anxiety and/or hormones too. Anyway, resveratrol takes a while to work and according to the Harvard study I wouldn't even see immense results for a few weeks. So, now after 6 wks I can say the following: my heart palpatations have stopped over 20 days ago (it used to be daily with 3/4 days of a break inbetween). The UC symptoms have calmed down, I feel more energetic, my skin has gotten better, I feel I can "do" more, I hardly have had anxiety. I do not have any bad side effects at all so far and I am not going to look for them. If you have read the Harvard study then you may know that Resveratrol interacts with other drugs and therefore, I stopped EVERYTHING the doctors prescribed me. Also, don't think you get a lot of support from the doctors either. They look at you and say: "What the heck are you thinking taking something that has not been tested thoroughly on humans? Why don't you take all the stuff I prescribed and come back every few months because your UC is under control but the rest of your body will shut down due to the side-effects?" Well, I have carpal tunnel and that has not gotten better but also not worse and my joints and bones don't hurt either.
Cheerio everyone! Don't be scared to take it just because your doctor has different chemical substitutes for you in mind. I have had enough!
And yes, the discoloration of urine is common depending on the amount/purity you take.
Jutta

[Admin]

Hi Jutta,

It is great to hear about your experience so far. Thank you for sharing your story. While I believe in modern medicine I also believe in balance with alternative medicine. Unfortunately many Doctors stick with their protocols because they are under trained or afraid of being sued.

I will say that more and more doctors are learning how to mix alternative medicine with western medicine. If you can find a practitioner of both you will be much happier with your treatments.

[Becky]

I am on day 3 of Resveratrol and I have noticed my skin looks healthier and I feel more alert. In fact, I feel that my senses are a bit enhanced, such as my sense of smell. I do feel a tiny bit jittery just after taking my dose, but nothing uncomfortable and I haven't experienced any heart palpitations (and I actually have a history of these in connection with stress). Has anyone experienced any weight loss? I was hoping it would help me shed a few pounds that my regular excercise routine won't get rid of.

[Admin]

Hi Becky,
Thanks for sharing your experience and I am glad to hear it is going well so far. As for the weight loss I did lose weight but I don't think it was from resveratrol alone. The resveratrol was just a piece of the puzzle in my opinion.

[Jerry Anton]

Resveratrol from Swanson has given me energy and seemingly, too soon to tell, better skin and energy. I do not sunburn as easily at 9000 foot elevation. The negative is I can only sleep 4-5 hours a night and then I wake up. Ultra resveratrol out of Florida has ripped me off. They have not sent me any of the trial offer. I have called them about 4 times and talked to a person once. He said they made a mistake shipping to a P.O. instead of home address

[Terry]

I am experiencing a rash and bloating. I have spaced out the dosage and it is better but concerned if it is normal..

Terry

[Catherine]

Very interesting to read about the side effects of Resveratrol.

There's a product called AIO made by Ceres Living that also contains Resveratrol. Has anyone taken it before? Here is more information about AIO at the link below.

They say it's a product that strengthens your own stem cells to heal your body.

www.oc.myceresliving.com

[Helen]

I have really bad skin from having suffered from acne when I was in my early 20s. Do you think Resveratol would help. I am across it will looking for something to improve cellulite

[Claudell]

Has any one had the symtom of rectal burnig sensation.I,ve been taking x500mg rev genetics and stopped after a week due this

[Chris]

I have been taking 200 mg of resveratrol for about a month----and I have had a dramatic decrease in arthritis and joint pain. I have been totally shocked by this and feel better than I have in about 2 years!

[Sue]

I have been taking Resveratrol for 3 weeks now - 500mg per day. I have had Irritable Bowel Sydrome for 20 years and usually experience diarrhea daily. I now have no diarrhea but go a lot! Resveratrol also seems to act as a diuretic because I urinate a lot. My blood pressure was very low one day as a result and I was dizzy as a result when I stood too quickly. This has been taken care of by drinking more fluids. Another strange symptom I developed was swollen glands under my chin and above my throid to the point where my neck was painful to the touch or if I lifted my head to look up - weird. My nodes were visibly swollen! It may be my imagination but I think my cellulite is looking better! I plan to combine the cellulite cream usage with the Resveratrol. I have the post menopausal weight gain and fat redistribution that I am trying to wage war on!

[Sue]

I thought I should follow up with my visit to my doctor. My swollen glands were due to being dehydrated! Resveratrol has really caused diuresis in my case so I have increased my water intake. I also am cutting out my one cup of coffee in the am due to the energy boost I receive from resveratrol in the morning. I have become very hot at night which is much like the hot flashes I used to experience before I had HRT therapy. I am wondering now if I have too much estrogen since Resveratrol has estrogen properties. So I may stop the HRT! Like I said, my cellulite has really improved.
My doctor is a good supplement, but I knew more about it than he did!
Sue

[Admin]

Thanks for the follow up Sue. It is nice to know your Doctor is so open to alternative therapies. Let us know how you make out with your new approach.

Thanks,
Markus

By the way, for others out there reading this, you should follow Sue's lead and get your Doctor involved with your supplements. It's a safer approach to getting healthy, or healthier.

[Jutta Peters]

Hi again. I made it 36 days without heart palps!!!! Then it started again but not as bad as it was before and they are gone again for the past two days now. I am making an appt with a new gastroenterologist and hope she will support my resveratrol use (not that I would change anything after the doctor's visit). I still have irritable bowels stuff but no active colitis attack (and I really don't want one!). Markus, what kind of brand of resveratrol are you taking? The air tight capsules? Let me know because I would like to change mine to that/yours. I don't really feel tired at any time of the day which might not be so great because I go and go all day and do a lot of physical work and don't realize the effects of it all until the end of the day/night...when I just crash. I added folic acid as UC patients seem to have a lack of that. I have had some joint pains but I thing that is due to the 8 consecutive days of rain and dampness (I get that during a bad weather stretch).
I have not observed any changes in fat decrease (lol = but I am pretty muscular) but have not paid attention to it much. My skin seems to improve because I have gotten comments about it. Has anyone had any blood tests done or liver tests? I will go for a liver test in a few weeks and let you know about anything dramatic.

[Lori]

I currently take warfarin for a blood clot that I have in my right leg. I was wondering if anyone knows the side effects of taking resveratrol while taking warfarin.

[Dave]

It's really hard to tell if the comments here (which seem to be all over the place) pertain to resveratrol itself or to the other ingredients included in certain resveratrol supplements.

[Nancy]

What types of medications have been found or suspected to interfer with resveratrol, or vice versa?