The Use of Resveratrol and Stomach Sensitivity

Resveratrol, Stomach Sensitivity, and Diarrhea, Oh My!

There is no doubt that Resveratrol is a revolutionary natural supplement.  In mice and some human trials, resveratrol has been found to help those with diabetes, muscular issues, and certain cancers.   While it is generally experimented upon using mice, there are some trials for human beings that have helped to verify some of the claims that are made on behalf of Resveratrol.  In addition to the positive effects resveratrol may have there are also potential negative side effects.   A remaining question is whether it actually helps to deal with the problem of stomach sensitivity or helps to cause it.

Some individuals are unable to deal with strange substances including Resveratrol.  They might have allergic reactions to them or they might not be able to absorb them easily.  That is a challenge supplement makers and resveratrol users alike are faced with, but there are means by which stomach sensitivity can be overcome.

From an absorption perspective, many people choose to take resveratrol via the buccal mucosa method.

  Buccal delivery is when you absorb a supplement or medication through the mucus membranes on the inside of your mouth.  Often, people will dissolve resveratrol using a grape juice or small alcohol solution and swish the dissolved liquid around in their mouth.  After 30-60 seconds of this, many just spit the remaining liquid out or swallow it.  It is said this method can provide a greater absorption of resveratrol and cause less stomach sensitivities for those who are more prone to stomach issues.

You also have to take into account the quality of the resveratrol you are taking.  Is it a pure form of resveratrol with a little "emodin" present?  You can ask the supplement supplier to provide you with independent lab tests showing the content of the product.  If you have a sensitive stomach it is known that emodin can have a laxative type effect, causing stomach cramping, diarrhea, and loose stools.

If you find yourself having stomach pains or diarrhea it may be a good idea to try switching supplement brands.  If that doesn't work you may want to try and take resveratrol with a meal or at a different time of day.

Another potential cause of stomach sensitivity is the mixing or the combining of numerous supplements and medicines.  Often times supplements or medications can interact with one another and cause more side effects.  It is always best to start taking new supplements one at a time and for a few weeks before adding another.  Otherwise it is difficult to determine which one is causing problems when combined with the others.  Start slow and don't rush your vitamin intake.

If you are having stomach sensitivity issues when taking resveratrol please write about them below so others can learn about the potential side effects of resveratrol.

Comments

[Johanna]

I started taking resveratrol, and even though I purchased an "expensive" brand with 98% trans resveratrol without additives or fillersand 250mg, I am experiencing diarrhea and cramping. It has happened twice in 3 days, and after one time I am usually ok the rest of the day. I'm hoping that these side effects will ware off with time.

[Bernice Banner]

I am a big supporter of the positive effects that resveratrol can have on the body. The problem with resveratrol supplementation however is that it loses its potency when coming in contact with air; called oxidative degradation AND it is not easily absorbed in the system; called low bioavailability.

Many of the resveratrol supplements on the market today state that they have high milligrams per pill but in actuality, most of the potency is lost during the manufacturing process and then in the bottle while waiting to be consumed, so they actually contain very little resveratrol.

And then what comes into play is the fact that the resveratrol crystal contained in most supplements is too large to be absorbed in the body so even if you were getting potent resveratrol, your body wouldn't be able to break it down and absorb it efficiently.

There is only one product out there; Resvantage that addresses the two problems with resveratrol supplementation as described above; the Resvantage resveratrol supplement is encapsulated in an oxygen-free environment so there are no losses due to oxidative degradation and the resveratrol in the capsule is micronized; a particle reduction process that ensures that it is small enough for efficient absorption.

Recent studies point to (1) low dose resveratrol being as beneficial as higher doses and (2) micronized resveratrol being 3.6 times better absorbed than non-micronized resveratrol.

Access the below links for confirmation of the above facts:

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20080606/can-red-wine-help-you-live-longer

http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20080707/resveratrol-may-prevent-breast-cancer

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18504708

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21680702