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

ResForum.org - A Newly Launched Resveratrol Website by Dr. David Sinclair & Dr. Mark Boguski

I recently had the pleasure of communicating with Dr. Mark Boguski regarding a new project he and Dr. David Sinclair, have begun working on.  In response to the growing concerns regarding a lack of quality resveratrol information on-line, both Sinclair and Boguski have launched an informative web site, ResForum.org.

ResForum.org provides information about resveratrol in an "easy to understand" format starting with, what is in my opinion, a must read e-book titled, "The Resveratrol Fact Book: Your Questions Answered."  The e-book is well written and provides useful facts and also dispels some common resveratrol myths.  

As the name states, ResForum.org, also provides visitors with a forum where people can share personal experiences and exchange information about resveratrol.  The community is young, but already showing promise as a reliable source of information sharing.  I recommend ResForum.org to anyone interested in learning more about resveratrol.

About The Site Owners:

David Sinclair, Ph.D., is well respected in the aging research field with over 40 peer reviewed publications.  He is the co-founder of Sirtris Pharmaceuticals (recently acquired by GlaxoSmithKline) and currently sits on their Scientific Advisory Board.  Sinclair is also a Professor of Pathology at Harvard Medical School and a director at Glenn Laboratories for the Biological Mechanisms of Aging. (more about David Sinclair)

Mark Boguski, M.D., Ph.D., like his partner above, is on the faculty of Harvard Medical School and also the Department of Pathology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.  Dr. Boguski has served on the board or consulted for numerous companies such as Merck & Co. and Orion Genomics. (more about Dr. Mark Boguski)

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.

Stem Cells Get Their Chance At The "Big Time"!

Only three days after President Obama was inaugurated the FDA gave clearance for Geron to begin the worlds first human stem cell trial using their drug GRNOPC1. Coincidence? Both sides claim it was just that!

Geron Receives FDA Clearance to Begin World's First Human Clinical Trial of Embryonic Stem Cell-Based Therapy

While the approved trial has little to do with Resveratrol the importance of this event is well worth discussing.

The "Stem Cell" debate has been going on for years now.  However with this approval we are at a cross-roads of sorts.  

• Is the practice ethical?
• What financial benefits or challenges does this create?
• Should the government use tax dollars for stem cell research?

For the sake of my personal sanity and for those of you reading this, I will try not to over complicate my thought processes with regards to the questions above.

First, let us focus on "what stem cells are":

"Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body. Serving as a sort of repair system for the body, they can theoretically divide without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential to either remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell."  (Source: The National Institute of Health Resource for Stem Cell Research)

Now that we are all "experts" in the field of stem cell research let us move on to the more pressing matters at hand.

Is it too simple to think with the following thought process?

"If we can take someone who has had a paralyzing injury, treat them with stem cell therapies, and enable them to walk again, then we should be doing everything possible to make this a reality."

More Resveratrol Please! (but don't forget to increase your savings FIRST!)

If all of this "life extension" technology works how will it change the world?

Often we get so caught up in what "could be" that we forget to prepare for what happens if the "could be" is actually obtained.  If human life-span is increased by 20, 30, 50, or more years what implications will this have on our society?

Alex Kantrowitz of The Cornell Daily Sun, recently wrote an Op-Ed piece titled, "Face to Face with the Fountain of Youth," in which he introduces some thought provoking questions about extending life span.  I give Alex credit for thinking outside the box and not just focusing on Resveratrol's end game.

He asked the following questions in his piece as well as a few others not listed,

"What will the effect be of turning 90 into the new 60?"
"Can our planet handle? Do we have enough natural resources?"
"How about the buildup of pollution, poverty, and overcrowding that would occur as a result?"

I commented on the article by stating,

The questions you outlined could be answered in great detail but I've decided to shorten my answers by stating, "As we have in the past, we will adapt to what the future brings." Just as our population has nearly tripled in a short period of time we have created ways to make living with the increase possible. Plenty of things have been done wrong (such as our ignoring of environmental dangers) but it seems we are learning from our mistakes and progressing in a positive way.

Fiscally we will need to prepare ourselves better for living longer. There is no better time to get people into "reasonable" savings mode then after going through the tough economic times we are experiencing today. Some times great fear is a good thing, it puts us back into reality.

Now that I've had a little more time to think about the questions posed above, I want to respond with a little more detail...

Resveratrol, Back To The Basics!

As the buzz of the 60 Minutes Resveratrol special subsides I wanted to take some time and recap the information discussed and the basics of resveratrol research.

My Resveratrol Experience has seen an influx of visitors and new subscribers to the site.  I wanted to personally welcome those who are new, looking to find information on resveratrol, and welcome back the regulars.  I hope you enjoy what you find and encourage you to participate in discussions.

Dr. Christopher Westphal and Dr. David Sinclair were both highlighted in the special sharing their scientific findings and opinions as well.  Mice treated with a resveratrol diet ran longer and lived longer.  This is old news at this point.  However, the two Resveratrol pioneers spoke of changing the future of health care and the possibility of living longer, ...healthier!  Who doesn't want that?

Have you heard of the French Paradox?  In case you haven't, it's a theory that the reason the French live longer while consuming a higher calorie, higher fat diet is because of the resveratrol (or other nutrients contained in red wine) they consume due to their "higher than normal" red wine intake.  The increased consumption of red wine compared to most others translates into a higher intake of resveratrol.  A possible explanation for the increased lifespan despite a "not so great" diet.

How does the resveratrol work?  

60 Minutes Resveratrol Segment, Aired 1-25-2009

A segment discussing resveratrol, sirtuins, CR (calorie restriction), and more.  Interviews with Dr. Christoph Westphal, Dr. David Sinclair, and CR Society.

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