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Benefits of Resveratrol

It is the foundation of the French Paradox, the reason that the French could, over the centuries eat those fabulous rich creamy buttery sauces and have a low incidence of coronary disease. Resveratrol, the polyphenol and antioxidant agent found in the skins of red and purple grapes and other dark berries, many of which we enjoy, is the happy culprit.

While benefits of this "miracle" supplement are many, most of the claims are anecdotal, though many of the benefits are now being proven through research in medical laboratories throughout the world.

High on the list of benefits of this supplement that are being laboratory proven are:

Increased energy levels

Increased metabolism

Increased exercise endurance

Possible increase in lifespan

Other researchers are finding that it can help with fighting fatty liver, issues with the insulin resistance that is common in Type II Diabetes and at the Boston University School of Medicine, with funding from actor, Michael J Fox; Dr. Benjamin Wolozin is having success with round worm experiments in treating Parkinson's Disease. Round worms can get just as sick with Parkinson's, treatments with Resveratrol have kept them from getting either not as sick or not sick at all.

As for anecdotal evidence, users claim that the benefits include fighting various cancers by assisting their immune systems to fight off secondary infections, as well as easing the side effects of chemotherapy and even in the reduction tumors. There are claims that it has helped to fight off the swine flu, and head off hearing loss.

The more believable anecdotal claims include:

Assistance with weight loss by helping to fight or control cravings

Acting as a blood thinning agent, minimizing the chance of blood clots and damage to blood vessels and the chances of stroke and heart attack (part of the French Paradox)

Regulation of hormones, especially estrogen, perhaps leading to lessen the need for less Hormone Replacement Therapy, which can lead to certain forms of cancer in women and possibly lessen the chance of certain cancers in men, such as breast cancer.

Other claims include that this supplement has helped with the easing of symptoms of Alzheimer's disease by protecting the central nervous system from amyloid - beta peptides. Like other amyloid peptide diseases (Huntington's and Parkinson's), lowering or protecting the brain from this peptide chain could spell the end to this devastating disease. Resveratrol is also considered an anti-inflammatory. Of course with its reputation as an energy enhancement, being an anti-inflammatory is just an added benefit. It does seem to be a wonder supplement. As with all supplements, consult with your physician before adding it to your regimen.

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