My Resveratrol Experience

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)

Calorie Restriction or Resveratrol: Maybe both? (Part 3)

As the final installment in my 3 part series on Calorie Restriction I thought it would be important to touch on whether or not it should be a practice followed along with taking resveratrol.  My answer may not be what you want to hear but give me a chance to explain it.

The answer:  I don't know...

I really don't know whether or not the two should be combined.  I haven't been able to find any supporting information that says you should or should not do this.  I also don't know enough about the medical and physiological effects the two could have on your body.

However, of course I have an opinion on the topic.

trans-Resveratrol & Calorie Restriction, the Connection! (Part 2)

So why all this focus on calorie restriction(CR)?  In "Part 1" of this posting series I introduced two main concepts, Calorie Restriction and Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR).  I never did really get into what CR is but I am sure you may have made some assumptions on your own.  Before I answer the question above let me give you a brief explanation as to what "I" believe CR to be.

A caloric restricted diet is one in which you consume less calories then your body is currently used to taking in.  There's not a set amount of daily calories for everyone, it is different based on your body and your goals.  I believe a percentage of your "Activity Factor adjusted BMR" is a good way to approach how many calories to consume.  Further, CR is not about starving yourself and not giving your body what it needs.  Your diet should be well planned out to include the essential nutrients your body needs to stay healthy.  As a last resort, it is important that any lack of nutrients or vitamins you miss by not eating certain foods is made up by taking supplements and vitamins.

Now here's the relation...

Calorie Restriction: Should I starve myself? (Part 1)

I've received quite a bit of positive feedback regarding my recent series of posts on resveratrol dosage.  So since you all enjoyed the multi-part posting I have decided to try it again.

What is calorie restriction?  If you search the web for an answer to this question you will most likely find the following answers:

Calorie restriction (CR) is...

Starving yourself.
Eating less calories then normal.
Starving yourself.
Eating less calories then your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) suggests.
Starving yourself.
A lifestyle of less caloric intake based on your own personal body makeup.

So I am trying to point something out with the list above.  A caloric restrictive diet is NOT starving yourself.  It is however a diet in which you take a lot of time to setup and live out.  You need to know certain things about yourself prior to determining what level of CR is right for you.  Lets start with Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR).

Resveratrol results in mice. The latest news!

Earlier today I posted a link to the newest published study regarding resveratrol and its effects on mice as it relates to caloric restriction and anti-aging.  I've had some time to read through the study and found some interesting information that I'd like to point out.

Article Title:

"A Low Dose of Dietary Resveratrol Partially Mimics Caloric Restriction and Retards Aging Parameters in Mice"

About the participants and their diets:

"We fed mice from middle age (14-months) to old age (30-months) either a control diet, a low dose of resveratrol (4.9 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹), or a calorie restricted (CR) diet and examined genome-wide transcriptional profiles." 

and further explanation of the subjects,

"We fed individually-housed male (C57BL/6×C3H/He)F₁ hybrid mice one of three diet formulations: a control diet (84 kcal mouse⁻¹ week⁻¹), a CR diet (63 kcal mouse⁻¹ week⁻¹) and a control diet supplemented with trans-resveratrol (4.9 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹) starting at middle age (14 months of age)."

Appetite and Resveratrol: Calories in Vs. Calories out

I've been paying particular attention to how my resveratrol intake has affected my appetite.  Now it is said that resveratrol has the ability to mimic the results of calorie restriction, a dietary technique used in relation to longevity.  Personally I have noticed a few things in regards to my appetite:

First, on my workout days I find my appetite has continued to increase over the past two months.  Now for those who don't know my history I had a BMR of 1100 two months ago.  This basically meant that my body at rest needed 1100 calories of intake to maintian my current physiology.  This test was done prior to my new workout regimen and prior to any consumption of trans-resveratrol.  I've lost approximately 6 pounds since beginning my new training routine and on days I workout I have found myself increasingly hungry.  Even with the increase I can only imagine how much greater it would be had I not been taking resveratrol.  Certainly there is also the possibility of a placebo effect as well.