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

RevGenetics Nitro 250 - Micronized Resveratrol & Tween 80 Supplement!

With RevGenetics releasing their newest resveratrol supplement it was only a matter of time before taking it for a test run!

I recently received my first bottle of Nitro 250 Resveratrol from RevGenetics and I am excited about the prospects of a more bioavailable form of resveratrol.  More bioavailability means we can take less and get the same, or a greater, amount of resveratrol into our system.  Bioavailability is at the center of the dosage debate.  More on dosage in a future post.

I've been taking 1000mg of Micronized Resveratrol on training days and 500mg on off days for the past few months.  On Wednesday I switched to the Nitro 250 capsule.  For now I will only be taking 1 capsule per day as it is the recommended dose.  After a few weeks on Nitro 250 I will look into increasing my dosage on training days.  I'll give you a progress report later next week.

Nitro 250 is made up of 250mg of 99% micronized resveratrol with an average particle size of 1.5 microns.  The resveratrol is mixed with Tween 80, Lecithin,  and delivered in a liquid Licap Nitrogen Gas Capsule for increased absorption and greater stability.

Nanosized Resveratrol - When Micronized Just Isn't Enough!

Is nanosizing pharmaceuticals and supplements just the next phase in the progression of better bioavailability?

The new craze in science these days is the field of "nanosizing", which in layman's terms means extremely small particle size.  In scientific terms 1 nanometer (nm) is equal to one billionth of a meter.  To reach the nanoscale of measurement a particle would need to measure between 1 - 100nm.

To put "nano-sized" into perspective check out the examples below:

• A piece of paper is about 100,000 nanometers thick.

A human hair is approximately 50,000 nanometers thick.

A DNA molecule is about 2.5 nanometers wide.

A single solitary molecule is 1 nanometer wide.

Ok, so you get the idea.  A nanometer is small! It's so small, not only is it impossible to see with the naked eye, but most microscopes are unable to view nanosized objects.

13th Week: Practice what you preach!

If you have followed my journey taking resveratrol you also know I am an advocate of baseline blood tests and medical exams.  Your body isn't a guessing game and there is know way to measure how you are progressing or regressing unless you have a starting point.

I say this (again) because it is time for me to "practice what I preach."  It's been some time since I had a blood work up and I am very interested to see where my numbers are, especially when it comes to my cholesterol. (A little more about that in the upcoming Part 3 of "Can Resveratrol Control Your Cholesterol Levels" series) So I figured if I said it out loud that it would force me to make the appointment and go see the doc.  Yes, even I need some incentive to get myself to the doctors office and blood lab.

12th Week: More Focus, More Energy, New Research

After a week on the new micronized trans-resveratrol I've noticed an intense ability to mentally focus myself.  I take my normal dose at about 2 o'clock every day and for approximately 2-3 hours after I have a sharp mental focus.  I had similar feelings on the previous non-micronized version but it did not last as long nor was it as intense.  I've found myself saving analytical work for this time period, especially on off days from the gym.

My energy levels have also increased and become more intense.  This "extra" energy lasts for up to 1 hour after consumption and then slowly subsides there after.  It's important to note this energy is not a feeling of being "skittish" or "like a caffeine high."  For me the energy comes from a mental feeling of intense focus that translate into physical energy (I know that sounds weird but it's the best way I can explain it).  It feels extremely controlled and I welcome it when it comes.

11th Week: Switched to 99% Micronized Trans-Resveratrol Capsules

I originally planned to increase my trans-resveratrol dosage to 1.5 grams per day.  Now I have a change in plans!  The supplier I use for resveratrol came out with a 99% micronized trans-resveratrol in capsule form.  For me this is ultimately what I've been looking for.  You see, I have trouble with the powder forms and mixing it into drinks.  I greatly prefer to take a capsule then a mixed drink.

Due to the increased bioavailability of micronized resveratrol I've reduced my dose back down to 500mg per day.  I am going to continue with this dosage for 7-10 days and will then increase the dosage to 1 gram on training days followed by 500mg on off days.  Once I feel my body has adjusted I'll increase to 1 gram per day on all days.

A little history on micronization (for more detail see my previous post on micronization).

Micronized Resveratrol: Is it better?

In earlier posts I spoke about the importance of bioavailability and resveratrol.  We know that when a drug or supplement is taken orally it must pass through our digestive system and is metabolized.  Many substances that are not very water soluble have a hard time making it through this process without first being eliminated or structurally broken down.  This means it never makes it to it's desired destination in our bodies.  To make these types of substances more bioavailable, a method called "micronization" is implemented.

"Micronization is the process of reducing the average diameter of a solid material's particles. Usually, the term micronization is used when the particles that are produced are only a few micrometres in diameter. However, modern applications (usually in the pharmaceutical's industry) require average particle diameters of the nanometer scale." from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micronization