What You Don't Know About Resveratrol Supplements Might Hurt You
By A H Williams

Have you been sucked in by attractive health claims for resveratrol? Have you ever wondered where these claims of "anti-aging pill" came from? What about this amazing story of the miracle of red wine consumption? This article will give you a different perspective on resveratrol, one that is based on science.

There are two major problems with the idea that resveratrol supplement are an anti-aging miracle. The first problem comes when you let people tell you that resveratrol accounts for the benefits of red wine. Red wine may be good for you, but I'll explain why that doesn't mean you should take 300 mg of resveratrol per day. The second problem has to do with all the science behind resveratrol benefits. Many claims have been made about anti-aging and other health properties. Much of this science is flawed. I'll explain why below.

First, let's talk about the about this "Red Wine Miracle." We all know that resveratrol is in red wine. And there is some evidence-- although not very much-- that red wine is responsible for a variety of health benefits. Does that mean we should take resveratrol to obtain the health benefits of red wine? Of course not.

Red wine has many, many other active compounds that could impact your health besides resveratrol. Take quercetin, for instance. Resveratrol may be only part of a much larger picture. Also, even if resveratrol was the active compound in red wine, it is only there in 1-2 milligrams per glass! Why would you then go and take 300 mg pills of purified resveratrol to obtain the "benefits of red wine?" Not only does that not make sense, you may be exposing yourself to health problems.

If you believe red wine is good for you (and that's open for debate, too), it's much easier to just drink red wine than take hundred of milligrams of powder every day.

The problems with the science behind resveratrol go very deep. Most of the so-called "breakthrough" research with resveratrol involves cells in culture. Many of the results with cell Unfortunately, the cells in your body never get to see that much resveratrol because it is immediately chewed up by the liver. Over 99% is gone within minutes! Literally.

Some animal experiments have been touted as showing incredible resveratrol benefits like cancer and diabetes prevention. Unfortunately, the science here is also very misleading. Any animal experiments with resveratrol showing positive results involve doses that are almost unimaginably high for humans to eat. These animals are being fed the equivalent of your eating an entire cereal bowl full of reveratrol powder. Imagine that!

Perhaps the most compelling reason not to take resveratrol too seriously is that the science behind the "anti-aging" claims is increasingly dubious. The basic idea proposed is that resveratrol activates proteins called sirtuins that are associated with life-extension in yeast and worms. The only problem with this idea is that scientists have recently found that resveratrol does not, in fact, activate sirtuins (1). Resveratrol may exert positive effects through other means, but this finding cases further doubt on that body of claims.

Resveratrol supplements may yet prove to be useful. But the jury is definitely still out. I've paid close attention to the science on this one, and I think you're better off wasting money on something else. In fact, the case for the resveratrol lie is actually more compelling than all the internet hype.

References: 1. Beher, D, Wu, J, Cumine, S, et al. "Resveratrol is not a direct activator of SIRT1 enzyme activity." Chem Biol Drug Design. (2009) Epub Oct 20.

AH Williams is a pharmaceutical scientist with formal training in organic chemistry. He is the publisher of vita-dose.com. Your comments on this article are welcome at the vita-dose resveratrol forum.

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