| There’s no magic pill for weight loss, reversal | | | | Also noted in that same study, obese mice |
| of aging, or prevention of cancer. However, in | | | | experienced a better overall quality of life. It’s |
| 2008 and 2009 major news agencies reported on | | | | important to mention that researchers also |
| breakthrough research on an antioxidant called | | | | observed longevity being positively affected when |
| resveratrol. It has caused quite a stir! Found in | | | | resveratrol was given to mice that were fed a |
| nature, this powerhouse supplement has been | | | | high-calorie diet. The following observations were |
| shown in mice studies to help with weight control, | | | | also made when coupled with resveratrol: |
| inhibit the rate of cancer cell growth, aid in fatty | | | | - Mice on a standard diet did not live longer than |
| liver reduction, and mimics the health effects | | | | other mice when given in middle age |
| gained by caloric restriction. Red wine, the skins | | | | - Rodents on an every-other-day diet regimen |
| and seeds of grapes, fruits, and nuts all contain | | | | lived the longest |
| varying levels of this plant chemical. The | | | | - Subjects fed a high-calorie diet did not |
| information thus far has been ultra promising in | | | | experience weight loss |
| the laboratory, from scientific reviews, and in | | | | One of the researchers, Dr. David Sinclair, |
| several major medical journals. However, before | | | | summed up the overall findings in the following |
| deciding to buy resveratrol pills, do your own | | | | statement: “Continued study of calorie |
| investigation; find free scientific articles online, | | | | restriction mimetics such as resveratrol may |
| review all the research, and then judge if it is right | | | | eventually point the way to new medicines to |
| for you. | | | | treat diseases of aging." The question on |
| Studies have been conducted for decades on this | | | | everyone’s mind is whether these finding can |
| antioxidant, but only recently were found to | | | | be directly related to the effects the substance |
| contribute to radical reduction in heart disease in | | | | may have on humans’ bodies. Though the |
| mice. This parallels the phenomenon found in the | | | | answer is not fully understood, the initial findings |
| French people. Though their diet consists of highly | | | | are very encouraging. |
| saturated animal fats, they have avoided the | | | | It seems that, almost daily, a new product is |
| negative affects by drinking a glass of wine 1 or | | | | introduced to the market that combine this |
| 2 times a day. Their heart disease rate is nearly | | | | effective red wine extract with other herb and |
| one-third that found in the American public, even | | | | vitamin ingredients to support a healthy life. |
| though we eat a diet similar to the French in | | | | Anyone can go to their local health stores, or |
| terms of saturated fat, but without the benefits | | | | online, and buy resveratrol for a reasonable price |
| of red wine at regular meals. The mechanism of | | | | and in various forms. Some have been combined |
| action is not fully understood, but the results are | | | | in 100 mg capsules (generally 60 count) or teas |
| undeniable. According to a July 3 report published | | | | along with green tea and acai berries for nutritional |
| by the National Institutes of Health, mice fed a | | | | benefits, extra energy, and to possibly aid in |
| standard diet along with high or low doses of the | | | | weight loss. Though one brand can look like |
| compound showed healthier aortas, lower overall | | | | another, choose one that has been certified by an |
| cholesterol counts (which contribute to | | | | independent organization as organic or whose |
| cardiovascular disease), and reduced fat in the | | | | ingredients come from a pure and verifiable |
| liver whichcan contribute to liver disease. | | | | source. |