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Drinking red wine is a practice that dates back several thousand years. Throughout time, this drink has been part of history and today it still fascinates humanity, igniting passions with its innumerable vintages, textures, tastes, and aromas. There is no other drink that will make us travel around the world, and when we hear a sommelier describe a wine it can sound like poetry. And these are only a few of the qualities of this exalted elixir.Beyond its flavorful and festive qualities, red wine has exceptional therapeutic properties!It all began by what we now call the “French Paradox.” This surprising situation has raised many questions for scientists. How is it possible that in France cardiovascular illness is much less predominant than in North America? With a far from perfect diet, why do the French continue to enjoy far better cardiovascular health than North Americans?It did not take long for scientists to find a clear and logical solution to this riddle. The research quickly led to the discovery of a polyphenol in the stilbene class: resveratrol. Resveratrol is found mainly in the skins of grapes and its concentration can vary from one variety of grape to another.
Numerous studies have revealed that resveratrol has the capacity to influence a multitude of physiological targets responsible for the development of dozens of chronic and degenerative illnesses. For example, resveratrol reduces the risk of cardiovascular illnesses by preventing the development of atherosclerotic plaques in the walls of arteries and other blood vessels, as well as encouraging a greater dilation of these vessels. As well, resveratrol prevents the oxidation of LDL (bad cholesterol) and increases the body’s ability to produce HDL (good cholesterol).### Cancer
Resveratrol also possesses remarkable anticancer properties through a triple action: it fights the formation of free radicals, it protects DNA from the damage caused by chemical products, and it neutralizes carcinogenic substances in the liver. A study published in the journal Science showed that this polyphenol is active in the three phases of tumor development (initiation-promotion-progression). Resveratrol kills the cancerous cells whether or not they are estrogen-dependant and blocks the development of bone metastases in certain types of cancers. Other studies have shown that it improves chemotherapy results because resveratrol protects healthy cells from the ill effects of the chemotherapy.Italian research has shown a significant reduction in the growth of breast cancer cells when exposed to resveratrol. This effect is caused by a sharp decrease in the expression of estrogen receptors, receptors often involved in the progression of breast cancer. More importantly, these studies show that resveratrol halts the growth of cells that are resistant to tamoxifen, a medication often used to treat hormone-dependant breast cancers. These results could help in the development of anticancer medications for patients who are resistant to hormone therapies.Resveratrol carries out its spectacular anti-estrogenic activity by preventing the most powerful endogenous estrogen from binding to estrogen receptors. It is part of the family of molecules called SERM (specific estrogen receptor modulator). The agonist and antagonist activity of resveratrol on estrogen receptor alpha is significant, but its affinity for these receptors is much weaker than estrogen itself. In other words, resveratrol can bind to receptors effectively enough to prevent more powerful and toxic estrogen metabolites from exerting their effects. In many women a decrease in the expression of estrogen leads to a substantial reduction in water retention and cellulite.
Recent research has also shown that resveratrol can contribute to preventing the accumulation of fat and the development of obesity.Resveratrol targets a protein called sirtuin, which reproduces the effect of a calorie restriction on fat cells. German researchers have also published works showing that resveratrol can have a direct impact on body weight by interfering with the accumulation of fat in fat cells. Using immature adipocytes as a model, they found that the addition of resveratrol prevented these cells from maturing, reducing their susceptibility to proliferating and increasing in volume. The combined effects of resveratrol, therefore, encourage a net reduction in fatty tissue.Other research carried out on obese mice has shown that when significant quantities of resveratrol are added to their food, their overall health improves spectacularly. Their insulin levels drop, preventing the appearance of diabetes. Damage to the liver and heart caused by a high-calorie diet is also greatly reduced. The life expectancy of these obese mice treated with resveratrol is comparable to that of mice of a normal weight in the control group.
French researchers tested resveratrol on animals kept in extremely sedentary conditions to observe if the compound could help in preventing muscular atrophy. The results were stunning! The simple administration of resveratrol to these animals was sufficient to preserve body mass and metabolic activity in the muscular cells. The cells also maintained their insulin sensitivity.According to Johan Auwerx, of the Institut de génétique, biologie moléculaire et cellulaire in Illkirch, “resveratrol increases muscular endurance by increasing the components for producing energy in muscular cells.” Auwerx states that:“High doses of trans-resveratrol are required to open the way to providing more mitochondria to cells. The effects of resveratrol are so pronounced that endurance athletes may one day take resveratrol as an ergogenic aid to increase performance,” he concluded.
Because nothing is perfect, the amount of resveratrol required to encourage weight loss is significant. It would take more than 100 bottles of red wine per day to get enough resveratrol to obtain the same results as were seen in the mice. So for weight loss, supplements are the only option.
The two types, trans- and cis-resveratrol, are found naturally in resveratrol itself; trans-resveratrol, however, has the greatest therapeutic qualities. So when buying a resveratrol supplement, ensure it only contains trans-resveratrol. It is important to have the highest possible standardization, because some supplements are made up of 5%, 10%, 20%, or 50%, and others up to 99%! A product containing 50% or less also contains cis-resveratrol, making it less readily absorbed and less effective.There are several sources of trans-resveratrol: grapes, peanuts, some berries, and Japanese knotweed. Grapes contain 5-8% trans-resveratrol, while Japanese knotweed contains 99%!A glass of wine for the heart and a trans-resveratrol supplement to encourage weight loss and performance: this is the extent of the scientific discoveries made so far on resveratrol.When it comes to health, prevention remains the best medicine and food is the best option. Once again, science has discovered a wonderful medication in a food!
Ingrédients
Ingrédients médicinaux:
Par capsule : Resveratrol 99 % - 350 mg
Cautions
Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are taking blood pressure medication, or blood thinners or other prescription medication or natural health products. Consult with health care practitioner or physician if taking medication including anti-coagulants or cytochrome P450 substrates. Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you have a liver disorder. May cause diarrhea, in which case, discontinue use. Do not use if you are pregnant or nursing. Some people may experience gastro-intestinal upset.