WHAT IS RESVERATROL?

Resveratrol is an antioxidant secondary plant substance from the group of polyphenols and has been discovered in more than 70 plant species, such as red grapes, raspberries, blueberries, apples, soy, and peanuts. However, it is concentrated v.a. in the skins of red grapes and serves the plant as a natural defense against parasites, fungal infections and adverse weather conditions such as humidity, UV radiation and temperature fluctuations.

Resveratrol is considered the secret of the so-called French paradox, which refers to the good heart health of the French despite high alcohol and fat consumption. However, the amounts of resveratrol in red wine are probably not sufficient for a noticeable effect. One would have to consume so much wine that the disadvantages of the alcohol would outweigh the benefits.

The plant with the highest resveratrol content is Japanese knotweedResveratrol is found in all parts of the plant, but most abundantly in the root. Therefore, we use this as a 100% natural source for our resveratrol capsules.

WHAT WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CIS- AND TRANS-RESVERATROL?

Resveratrol exists in two different geometric forms (so-called isomers): cis- and trans-resveratrol, only the trans form shows full bioactivityOur premium resveratrol contains at least 98% trans-resveratrol of optimal bioactivity.

Can resveratrol also be consumed adequately through food?

Unfortunately, foods contain only tiny amounts of resveratrol. For example, to consume the contents of one capsule of resveratrol (500 mg), you would have to eat 400 kg of red grapes or 1250 kg of apples. For red wine, the values ​​fluctuate greatly, but even if one assumes the maximum value of 10 mg per liter of red wine, it is clear that even with red wine, nowhere near the amount of one capsule can be consumed - at least not without the subsequent damage caused by increased alcohol consumption.

Grape juice is also not an option, even if you were to drink it by the litre, because it contains significantly less resveratrol than red wine. v.a. in the grape skins, which are discarded as pomace after pressing during juice production. In red wine production, however, there is sufficient time during maceration for the resveratrol from the skins to be transferred into the wine.

WHEN AND HOW SHOULD RESVERATROL BE TAKEN?

Studies suggest that resveratrol in the morning on an empty stomach and combined with grape seed extract (OPC) has the best bioavailability.

• Combination with piperine: Wightman E.L., Reay J.L., Haskell C.F., Williamson G., Dew T.P., Kennedy D.O. Effects of resveratrol alone or in combination with piperine on cerebral blood flow parameters and cognitive performance in human subjects: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over investigation. Br. J. Nutr. 2014;112:203–213. doi: 10.1017/S0007114514000737
• Take in the morning on an empty stomach: Almeida L., Vaz-da-Silva M., Falcão A., Soares E., Costa R., Loureiro A.I., Fernandes-Lopes C., Rocha J., Nunes T., Wright L., Soares-da-Silva P. Pharmacokinetic and safety profile of trans-resveratrol in a rising multiple-dose study in healthy volunteers. Mol. Nutr.Food Res. 2009;53:7–15. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.200800177
• Combination with grape seed extract (OPC): Rotches-Ribalta M., Andres-Lacueva C., Estruch R., Escribano E., Urpi-Sarda M. Pharmacokinetics of resveratrol metabolic profile in healthy humans after moderate consumption of red wine and grape extract tablets. Pharmacol. Res. 2012;66:375–382. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2012.08.001

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE HEALTH EFFECTS?

Resveratrol simulates the effect of fasting

Cellular waste is continuously produced during cellular metabolism, such as errors in protein synthesis (misfolded proteins) or damaged mitochondrial parts. This waste is normally broken down by cellular cleaning processes, v.a. through the so-called autophagy, the cellular "recycling system." Lysosomes then attach to these waste products, whose enzymes break down the waste into its individual components, making it reusable. Lysosomes are therefore also called the "stomach" of our cells.

Unfortunately, this autophagy no longer works so well in old age, so that molecular waste accumulates in the cells and ultimately impairs normal cellular functions. Over the years, this cellular waste can then contribute to the relevant diseases of aging, such as diabetes, Alzheimer's, or Parkinson's.

One way to activate autophagy is caloric restriction (fasting). When food is scarce, the body activates the enzyme "sirtuin" and thus autophagy to release nutrients from the "protein waste." And as a side effect of this nutrient extraction, misfolded proteins and defective organelles are broken down. This also fits well with the observation in numerous studies that caloric restriction in laboratory animals has prolonged lifespan and counteracted aging processes.

The first systematic study on the positive effects of caloric restriction dates back to 1937 by Clive McCay: a 33% caloric restriction in laboratory rats resulted in a) a significant extension of maximum lifespan and b) an extension of average lifespan by 50%.

Resveratrol is able to activate the sirtuin enzyme even without caloric restrictionIn a double-blind crossover study, overweight but otherwise healthy participants received 150 mg of resveratrol or a placebo daily for one month. Metabolic changes similar to those seen with caloric restriction were observed in the resveratrol group. SIRT1 was activated, fat content in muscle cells increased (where the fat was then burned), while fat in the liver decreased; mitochondria in muscle cells were more active, and blood sugar levels fell, as did systolic blood pressure, blood lipid levels, and inflammation levels (see [see also: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22055504/ ).

This basic principle appears to be the reason for numerous positive health effects of resveratrol, which have already been well documented by studies.

• Resveratrol and longevity: Resveratrol can activate the enzyme Sirtuin-1 (SIRT1), which slows down aging processes in cells. (see https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23471411/ and https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24439680/ ).
• Resveratrol in Alzheimer’s prevention: In a study lasting approximately 1 year, patients with moderate Alzheimer's disease received 0.5 g/day of resveratrol; the dose was gradually increased to 2 g (see https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26362286/ ). It was shown that resveratrol can have an activating effect on the brain, for example, reducing inflammatory processes in the CNS (central nervous system) and improving blood flow in the brain. In type 2 diabetes patients, 75 mg of resveratrol per week was sufficient to noticeably improve cognitive performance and blood supply to the brain (see https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27420093/ ). In another study, the administration of 250-500 mg per day in healthy volunteers led to improved blood flow to the brain (see https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20357044/ ). When 250 mg resveratrol plus 20 mg piperine were administered on three days, a significant increase in hemoglobin levels was observed (anemia is a relevant dementia risk) (cf. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24804871/ ).
• Resveratrol in cancer prevention: Here, too, it is autophagy activated by resveratrol that can reduce certain markers involved in cancer development, such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF) or IGF-binding protein. In the following review from 2021 (see https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34101276/ ) describes how resveratrol u.a. triggers the release of anti-cancer messengers such as IFN-γ and TNF-α and also inhibits the release of TGF-β (which can promote cancer growth). Furthermore, it is shown how resveratrol can stimulate T helper cells and macrophages so that they can more effectively target cancer cells. Finally, resveratrol makes cancer cells more sensitive to the immune system's apoptosis ("cell suicide") signals.
• Resveratrol for diabetes mellitus: Resveratrol is often used in diabetes mellitus because it is said to improve vascular function, increase fat breakdown in the liver and reduce oxidative stress, which in turn leads to an improvement in insulin sensitivity (see [1]. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20181810/ and https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21385509/). In another study, ten overweight participants were given 1-2 g of resveratrol per day for four weeks – with the result that insulin sensitivity improved and blood sugar levels after meals (postprandial blood sugar) were also better (see. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22219517/ ).
• Resveratrol as protection for the nerves: In a study from 2017 (cf. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28329051/ ), it has been shown that resveratrol can protect muscles and synapses from the negative effects of the aging process.
• Resveratrol for healthy bones: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study from 2014 concluded that resveratrol can increase bone density (see [1]. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25322274/ ). 66 male volunteers, all of whom suffered from obesity, lipid metabolism disorders, blood sugar disorders and high blood pressure, were given a) 1000 mg, b) 150 mg resveratrol or c) a placebo over four months – with the result that bone density in the 1000 mg group in the lumbar region increased significantly compared to the placebo group.