WHAT IS RESVERATROL?

Resveratrol is an antioxidant secondary plant substance from the group of polyphenols and has already been discovered in more than 70 plant species, such as red grapes, raspberries, blueberries, apples, soy or peanuts. However, it is concentrated mainly in the skins of red grapes and serves the plant as a natural defense against parasites, fungal infections and adverse weather conditions such as moisture, 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 enough to have a noticeable effect. Because you would have to drink 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 of it is found in the root, which is why 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 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 applesThe values ​​for red wine vary greatly, but even if one assumes the maximum value of 10 mg per litre of red wine, it is clear that even with red wine, it is not possible to consume anywhere near the amount of one capsule - 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. The resveratrol is mainly found in the skins of the grapes, which are discarded as pomace after the grapes have been pressed during juice production. In red wine production, on the other hand, there is enough time during the mash fermentation for the resveratrol from the skins to pass 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 EL, Reay JL, Haskell CF, Williamson G., Dew TP, Kennedy DO 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 AI, 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 degraded by cellular cleaning processes, especially through the so-called autophagy, the cellular "recycling system". The lysosomes then dock onto these waste products, and their enzymes break this waste down into its individual components, making it reusable. Lysosomes are therefore also known as the "stomach" of our cells.

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

One way to activate autophagy is caloric restriction (fasting). When there is a shortage of food, 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 experimental animals has prolonged life and counteracts 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 the maximum lifespan and b) an extension of the 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/day of resveratrol or a placebo for one month. In the resveratrol group, metabolic changes were observed that also occur with caloric restriction. SIRT1 was activated, the fat content of 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 (cf. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22055504/ ).

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

• Resveratrol and “Longevity” (healthy 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 on, which is based on approx.In a study designed to last for 1 year, patients with moderate Alzheimer's disease received 0.5 g/day of resveratrol; the dose was gradually increased to 2 g (cf. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26362286/ ). It was shown that resveratrol can have an activating effect on the brain, e.g. it reduces inflammatory processes in the CNS (central nervous system) and improves blood flow in the brain. In type 2 diabetes patients, 75 mg of resveratrol per week was enough to noticeably improve cognitive performance and blood supply to the brain (cf. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27420093/ ). In another study, the administration of 250-500 mg per day to healthy volunteers led to improved blood flow to the brain (cf. 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 factor) (cf. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24804871/ ).
• Resveratrol in cancer prevention: Here too, it is the autophagy activated by resveratrol that can lower certain markers involved in the development of cancer, 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 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). It also shows how resveratrol can stimulate T helper cells and macrophages so that they can target cancer cells more effectively. Finally, resveratrol makes cancer cells more sensitive to the apoptosis signals ("cell suicide") of the immune system.
• 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: 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: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25322274/ ). 66 male subjects, 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 the bone density in the 1000 mg group in the lumbar region had increased significantly compared to the placebo group.