Post by URBAN FARMING on Sept 13, 2018 11:24:47 GMT -6
Mind Body Green is an excellent source of information. To read this entire article, please visit:
www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/resveratrol-side-effects-what-you-need-to-know
Resveratrol Basics: What You Need To Know About This Powerful Antioxidant
By Marvin Singh, M.D.
September 12, 2018 — 9:21 AM
What is resveratrol, exactly?
What are the health benefits of resveratrol?
Resveratrol has many, many health benefits. For starters, a 2015 study noted antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of resveratrol and stated that it is effective in type 2 diabetes because it can improve blood sugar control and decrease insulin resistance. Another study suggested that resveratrol could be considered in the treatment of conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). More recent research shows that resveratrol can also enhance vasodilation in those with insulin resistance and increase the flow of blood to muscles in our body; as a result, our blood sugar is able to be better used by our bodies. In the past, it was not entirely clear how resveratrol worked in diabetes, but this research may help shed some light on a potential mechanism of action. A recent major review of all the randomized control trials demonstrated that resveratrol supplementation significantly reduced inflammation, and that actual levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), a potent inflammatory chemical, and hs-CRP, a marker of inflammation in the body, were reduced.
Can resveratrol help prevent and/or treat cancer?
Can resveratrol protect us from toxins?
Can resveratrol help manage glaucoma?
Another exciting use of resveratrol has been proposed in the management of glaucoma. Resveratrol is thought to suppress inflammation in the retina and prevent cell death in nerve cells in the eye. To go even further, researchers in Spain suggested that resveratrol can improve resilience in the brain and protect against neurodegeneration. This is quite fascinating. Food really is medicine!
www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/resveratrol-side-effects-what-you-need-to-know
Resveratrol Basics: What You Need To Know About This Powerful Antioxidant
By Marvin Singh, M.D.
September 12, 2018 — 9:21 AM
It's hard to keep up with health-related news and not see articles upon articles about resveratrol and its benefits and uses. So, what's all the fuss about? Is it just an excuse for us to justify drinking red wine, or is there some validity to the health claims being made? If you go to pubmed.gov and search for "resveratrol" as a key word in the database of published scientific literature, you get almost 11,000 search results. It's clear that there's a lot of interest in this powerful compound.
First, we should discuss what resveratrol is. Basically, it's a compound found in plants that acts like an antioxidant and is considered a polyphenol. Antioxidants are compounds that fight free radical damage and oxidative stress in the body and are present mostly in colorful fruits and vegetables. Polyphenols are naturally occurring micronutrients that give foods their bright colors. While red wine is one of the most famous sources of resveratrol, there are other sources such as grapes, blueberries, raspberries, mulberries, and even peanuts. It's the skin of these foods that contains the resveratrol.
Resveratrol has many, many health benefits. For starters, a 2015 study noted antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of resveratrol and stated that it is effective in type 2 diabetes because it can improve blood sugar control and decrease insulin resistance. Another study suggested that resveratrol could be considered in the treatment of conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). More recent research shows that resveratrol can also enhance vasodilation in those with insulin resistance and increase the flow of blood to muscles in our body; as a result, our blood sugar is able to be better used by our bodies. In the past, it was not entirely clear how resveratrol worked in diabetes, but this research may help shed some light on a potential mechanism of action. A recent major review of all the randomized control trials demonstrated that resveratrol supplementation significantly reduced inflammation, and that actual levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), a potent inflammatory chemical, and hs-CRP, a marker of inflammation in the body, were reduced.
Can resveratrol help prevent and/or treat cancer?
Even more exciting is evidence pointing to anti-cancer properties of resveratrol. This potent anti-inflammatory has been proposed to be an effective agent in the treatment of stomach cancer. This takes eating blueberries and grapes to a whole new level! Another study showed that grapeseed proanthocyanidins together with resveratrol can inhibit breast cancer cells through a variety of mechanisms. Both of these compounds are found in red wine; however, I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that you should drink red wine to prevent breast cancer. There is data that actually speaks to the contrary and suggests that even drinking one alcoholic beverage could increase a woman's risk for breast cancer.
Most of us know about—or have at least heard about—bisphenol A, or BPA. BPA is a toxin commonly found in plastics and resins, and it's been used for decades. A recent study published in August of 2018 suggested that resveratrol could protect against BPA-induced toxicity to blood vessels. The authors suggested that this could be related to the strong antioxidant properties of this polyphenol powerhouse.
Another exciting use of resveratrol has been proposed in the management of glaucoma. Resveratrol is thought to suppress inflammation in the retina and prevent cell death in nerve cells in the eye. To go even further, researchers in Spain suggested that resveratrol can improve resilience in the brain and protect against neurodegeneration. This is quite fascinating. Food really is medicine!