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

Resveratrol - A Compilation of User Reported Side Effects!

The most commonly searched information by people who are looking to take, or already take, resveratrol is information on side effects.  Since research to date on humans is limited, officially reported side effects are virtually non-existent.  

Throughout this website there are user comments posted that are personal accounts regarding individual resveratrol usage experiences. Some of these accounts detail negative side effects, others positive, and some a little of both.  I wanted to make it easier for these accounts to be found and have created this post to detail many of those accounts.  You will find some previous user comments highlighted below along with links to other articles on this site specific to side effects.

Please keep in mind these are user experiences and have not been backed by scientific evidence.  However, I feel it is important information to share and urge those to share their own resveratrol side effects (good and bad) in the comment section below.

Important Links:

Share Your Resveratrol Experience

Stomach Sensitivity & Resveratrol

Side Effects Aren't Always Negative, are they?

Resveratrol Side Effects Are Anecdotal At Best - Both The Positive & The Negative!

Side Effects of Resveratrol: A User Compilation! (Part 1)

Resveratrol Side Effects: User Feedback, The Positives! (Part 2)

 A Few Random Comments:

Maxine commented on July 18, 2009

"I am 63 years female with diabetes... I cut my foot on a piece of broken glass in the kitchen about three weeks ago and have been puzzled about how quickly it healed. Occasionally I think about it and wonder why. Just today I was trying to figure out which foot was cut. It was not until I read the comment by one of respondents that I realized that the resveratrol was the reason."

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.

Side Effects of Resveratrol: A User Compilation! (Part 1)

While the benefits of Resveratrol have been clearly documented, let's focus on the "potential negative" side effects first.

Just about a year has gone by since My Resveratrol Experience was started. In that time over 100 articles have been posted along with hundreds of user comments.  The hottest topic has clearly been on resveratrol side effects.

Many people make a wise decision by searching before buying, or consuming, a new supplement. The search isn't necessarily for who makes the best supplement but what the supplement can do to their bodies.

Below is a consolidated list of side effects users have reported while taking resveratrol. Please remember, this list is anecdotal and NOT based on scientific research. Placebo effect is also a great possibility. We will have to wait for companies like Sirtris Pharmaceuticals to complete their FDA trials before we get a more accurate list.

• A buzzed feeling, similar to a caffeine high or rush. Some also describe the feeling to be dizziness.

• Insomnia that comes on fast and lasts for varying amounts of time. Some users say it subsides after a week or two of use.

• An increase in blood pressure occasionally into the "high" range.  

• Stomach cramping and diarrhea. It should be noted this is likely due to the emodin content in lower quality or purity resveratrol supplements. A certificate of authorization from an independent lab can confirm this.

Resveratrol Side Effects Are Anecdotal At Best - Both The Positive & The Negative!

Perhaps a controversial title?  Until studies are completed over long periods of time, I have to believe anecdotal evidence is the best information we have to base our decisions on.

When it comes to consuming drugs or supplements, side effects are inevitable.  Whether we own up to it or not, there is a risk involved when you ingest a substance into your body.  This becomes even more apparent with "newer" supplements, resveratrol included, where that risk increases due to the lack of testing and long-term human studies that have been completed.

It's important to mention that not all side-effects are negative.  Many drugs have been known to provide positive side effects that were not originally expected.  A great example of this was with the famous erectile dysfunction drug, Viagra, made by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer.  Viagra was first produced to help men suffering chest pains from heart disease.  As it turns out Viagra is not used for this ailment and is now the #1 most prescribed sexual dysfunction drug in the world.

I understand the example above is a bit extreme but I think you get the picture that side effects come in all shapes and sizes.

When it comes to Resveratrol many of the side effects are based on personal consumption accounts.  With there being a minimal amount of published research where resveratrol was used on humans, determining absolute side effects has been very difficult.  We have to rely on personal accounts, estimates on the transfer of effects between mice and humans, or do "self" studies in as best a controlled environment as possible.

Resveratrol Experience Update: Six Months Have Past!

The past six months have been eye opening for me.  I've had the pleasure of getting familiar with my active side again.  I started a new training regimen, improved my diet, began using supplements, and started taking resveratrol.  I am feeling better then I have since my early twenties!

My resveratrol experience has been eye opening to say the least.  I've been fortunate enough to learn, share, and benefit from my resveratrol use.  I am hopeful that the long term benefits of resveratrol, and a healthy lifestyle together, will enable me to live a longer and more active life.

I usually talk about all the positive things I've found resveratrol does for me mainly because there weren't any noticeable negatives.  I believe I may have come across one and felt it was important to share it.  Over the past few weeks I've noticed a stiffness in my finger and toe joints.  Imagine trying to make a fist only its slightly difficult in a resistant way.  There isn't any pain involved but it is definitely something I've been noticing.

Side Effects Aren't Always Negative, are they?

I came across an interesting article today on The New York Times website that spoke about Sirtris Pharmaceuticals and the hopeful "Side Effects" of their drug candidates SRT501 and NCEs (New Chemical Entities).  The article (which I have posted a link to below) got me thinking...

...more people in the general public should know about Sirtris Pharmaceuticals and the work they are doing. 

If successful (and yes, it's a big if) these two drugs could change the course of our future health, how diseases are treated or cured, and enable us to live healthier lives for much longer then we do now.  How can you not pay attention to that!  I'll take a small chance over a 0% chance any day.

You've probably heard me talk about Sirtris Pharma in previous posts and I thought a brief summary of who they are and what they do would be appropriate first.

Sirtris was founded in 2004 by Christoph Westphal, M.D., Ph.D. who received his M.D from Harvard Medical School and David Sinclair, Ph. D. a professor of Pathology at the Harvard Medical School.  There are many other doctors who are associated or employed by Sirtris and the list can be found here.

In their own words Sirtris can be explained as the following type of company:

Stomach Sensitivity & Resveratrol

As you research resveratrol you will come across other people's experiences which tend to vary drastically.  However, a common statement is that by taking resveratrol people complain about diarrhea and stomach cramping.  It has been said this can last for a few days until you get used to it or it can never go away.  It is important to know the reason behind the "stomach sensitivity."  The answer is most likely "Emodin!"