Comprehensive Library Of Resveratrol News

Arsenic and Resveratrol

Arsenic is ubiquitous in groundwater supplies throughout the U.S.  The Environmental Protection Agency permits 10 micrograms of arsenic per liter of drinking water.  [US Geological Survey] The health risks posed by small amounts of arsenic have been described.  [YouTube.com] ancer from pooling of arsenic in the bladder has been reported.  [Journal Epidemiology Community Health 2006]  The Environmental Protection Agency habitually over-warns about even the lowest exposure to potentially toxic molecules like arsenic.  Arsenic exposure needs to be reviewed in light of experimental evidence showing low-dose arsenic may activate internal antioxidant defenses in the human body (what is called hormesis).  [Human Experimental Toxicology Nov 2007]  However, health risks associated with accumulated lifetime exposure are unknown.  In regard to arsenic antidotes, resveratrol has recently undergone testing in an animal model of arsenic poisoning and was found to reverse liver damage and elevate antioxidant defenses such as glutathione.  [Biomedical Research International July 2, 2014]

Resveratrol and fluoride

Fluoride, in groundwater naturally and added to tap water to harden tooth enamel, poses a potential problem as sub-acute exposure induces thyroid dysfunction in lab animals.  Resveratrol supplementation in fluoride-exposed animals was shown to appreciably prevent metabolic toxicity cause by fluoride and restore function status to the thyroid gland towards normalcy. [Biology Trace Element Research Aug 28, 2014]

Reye’s syndrome (post aspirin syndrome) and resveratrol

Reye’s syndrome, the concomitant use of aspirin when fighting a cold or the flu that can result in the death of small children, has been a therapeutic enigma.  Human studies would be unethical, leaving animal studies for learning purposes.  Intentionally induced Reye’s syndrome in laboratory animals is harmful to the liver but countered by doses of resveratrol given in doses achievable in humans (700 mg in a 160-lb adult).  Resveratrol decreased ammonia levels, shortened blood clotting time and increased circulating albumin levels.  This knowledge may lead to a practical remedy for sick infants and young children who have accidentally overdoses on aspirin and face acute Reye’s syndrome.  [Canadian Journal Physiology & Pharmacology Aug 2014]

Estrogen and resveratrol

Estrogen is a hormone that is abundantly produced when growth factors are needed for baby making.  However, estrogen dominance may result in specific tissues in later life even when estrogen production from the ovaries has decreased with the change of life.  Estrogen can be produced locally in fatty cells (adipocytes) in the breast of both men and women.

Resveratrol is an estrogen-like molecule that exerts 1/7000^th the biological action of estrogen.  It is considered the safest of all plant estrogens (phytoestrogens).

Sustained exposure to estrogen may increase the risk for breast cancer.  Anti-estrogens like Tamoxifen are used to block breast tumor growth.   Pre-treatment of breast cells in a lab dish with resveratrol inhibits pre-cancerous cells.  [Steroids Aug 23, 2014] Resveratrol may also prevent breast cancer by virtue of its ability to stimulate production of internal antioxidant enzymes via the Nrf2 transcription factor. [Journal Biochemical & Molecular Toxicology Aug 6, 2014]

Growth Hormone Vs. Resveratrol

Contrary to what some longevity seekers believe, disruption of growth hormone promotes longevity and delays aging.  Likewise, calorie restriction is known to extend the lifespan and healthspan of laboratory animals.  Researchers set out to compare and contrast the effects of growth hormone and calorie restriction and both combined upon growth-hormone deficient and normal mice.

Calorie restriction reduced blood plasma levels of insulin, blood sugar, cholesterol, appetite-controlling leptin.  Growth hormone increased growth hormone levels and abolished the beneficial effects of calorie restriction.  [Experimental Gerontology Aug 21, 2014]

Resveratrol & Diabetes

Most of the rise in life expectancy in advanced countries is attributed to a decline in infant mortality.  But now there are real years being added to the end of life.  With the adoption of processed foods, refined carbohydrates and sugars, the lifetime risk for diabetes and years of life lost due to this self-induced scourge of modern man is increasing.

On the basis of data available from the year 2000 the lifetime risk for diabetes from age 20 years forward is 40.2% for men and 39.6% for women, a 13-20% increased risk since 1985-89.  The number of years lost to diabetes when diagnosed at age 40 decreased from 7.7 years to 5.8 years in men and from 8.7 years to 6.8 years for women.  However, mortality rates from diabetes are rising.  The average number of years lost due to diabetes for the population as a whole increase 44-46% in women and men respectively.  [Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Aug 13, 2014]

While low carbohydrate diets are the preferred way to reduce diabetes –related health risks, anti-diabetic pills are deemed to be problematic with all but metformin inducing weight gain and others nutrient shortages (metformin/vitamin B12 depletion).

While researchers claim resveratrol is highly effective in the treatment of diabetes in the animal lab, there are no conclusive studies in humans.  Combined data from 104 adult onset cases of diabetes where resveratrol was employed compared to 92 untreated cases shows that resveratrol was more effective than an inactive placebo pill and no major adverse events were reported.  [Molecular Food & Nutrition Research Aug 19, 2014]  Furthermore, resveratrol appears to be an effective antidote for diabetic-induced conditions such as cloudy sugar cataracts and kidney problems.  [Pharmacology Reports Oct 2014]  Whether resveratrol ever makes it into the modern physician’s drug armamentarium is unknown given the requirement natural molecules must undergo human clinical trials and become a drug before claims can be made they cure, prevent or treat any disease.

©2014 Bill Sardi, ResveratrolNews.com