Is Resveratrol really “A Fountain of Youth for Exhausted Moms”? Maybe, sort of.

When the good folks at ResVitále offered to send me a sample of their Resveratrol supplement I jumped on the opportunity. After all, I was very familiar with the benefits of antioxidants and how they helped all of our cells cheat aging to some extent. I had watched a 60 Minutes segment about Resveratrol that had me convinced there was something to this idea that the skin of grapes had special ingredients that made it a powerful antioxidant that would be great for us.

After completing my 30-day bottle of supplements I can honestly say that I must have missed the “Youth Fountain”…, and that darn mirror continues to display the same face when I look into it. But, as with any antioxidant the rewards don’t come quickly. Aging, thank goodness, comes along slowly. So does the fight to slow it down. Quality antioxidants really are helpful in slowing the aging process down and I encourage you to do your own research.

The reason I’m particularly excited about Resveratrol is that it is extremely potent and equivalent to far more glasses of red wine than I can consume. Like you, I am skeptical of miracles (i.e. “Fountains of Youth”), but having been familiar with nutrition for many years now I do believe firmly in supplementing your diet with quality vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The key is the quality of the supplements as the cheaper ones are not absorbed into your system and ultimately become what nurses call “bedpan bullets”.

The article below offers more information to help you decide whether or not to swap some of that fast food budget out for some high octane antioxidants instead.

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Resveratrol: A Fountain of Youth for Exhausted Moms – By Joseph Maroon, M.D.

Life can be demanding. Trying to balance work, home and a social life is a challenge when you simply don’t have the energy. Fatigue can make it difficult to get through a stressful day and many busy moms make lifestyle and diet changes to cope.
The latest research shows that certain food supplements containing concentrated plant polyphenols, the beneficial organic molecules found in red wine grapes, may also provide these benefits. These supplements have been shown to activate ‘longevity or survival genes,’ thereby enhancing your energy and endurance.
Research done at Harvard Medical School and around the world confirms that resveratrol is the most powerful of these gene-activating plant polyphenols. Many people taking organic resveratrol supplements have seen results of increased stamina and energy.
How Aging Affects Your Body
As you age, the cells in your body grow slower and tend to regenerate at slower rates. Cellular activity is responsible for every function in the body, including skin tissue. As we age, cellular healing, skin cell turnover and the development of new skin tissues can be just a fraction of what it was in your youth. Other cells such as brain cells, may even stop regenerating and repairing themselves causing many people as they age to become easily fatigued, experience lower mood levels, or find it hard to keep up with daily activities.
Fluctuating or depleted hormone levels due to decreased cellular activity can sometimes lead to excessive stress and an overall poor state of health. If you are not eating healthy, exercising regularly, and not taking the nutritional supplements, vitamins and minerals suggested, you are probably already exhibiting the signs of premature aging.
Resveratrol may have the ability to “stop the clock” on poor aging by enhancing your energy levels, as seen in many research studies.

What is Resveratrol?
Resveratrol is a natural, plant-based supplement that scientific studies have shown can actually slow the aging process and prolong life in every testing thus far.
Resveratrol is a plant polyphenol molecule organically extracted from the skin, seeds, stem and vine of red wine grape. Polyphenols are natural antioxidants that can protect cells from free radical damage. Free radical damage is the root cause of much of the cellular deterioration seen with aging. Polyphenol compounds are also found in pine trees, peanuts, dark chocolate and cocoa, and have been used for many years in Asian cultures for treating heart and liver problems due to their antioxidant properties.
Scientists discovered resveratrol after investigating the impact of the typical French diet. Researchers have been looking at the relationship between the amounts of red wine that people in France regularly consume and the lower incidence of heart disease compared to other countries that did not drink as much red wine. Red wine has long been lauded for its antioxidant properties and heart benefits. Resveratrol research now strongly links this polyphenol’s action to many of the heart benefits found with red wine. Other research has shown improved cellular function and division, and improvement of central nervous system functioning.
The goal of anti-aging resveratrol supplements is to provide concentrated amounts of resveratrol in its most active form – known as trans-resveratrol. Trans-resveratrol is a very sensitive polyphenol molecule and will only remain active when it is sheltered from oxygen and sunlight. Trans-resveratrol in its purest form offers the most benefits. Only a few nutritional supplement companies are able to source this form of resveratrol and preserve it in this active form for human consumption.
How the Supplement Works
Resveratrol activates the ‘longevity gene,’ otherwise known as the survival gene, and these genes have been shown to enhance energy and endurance along with many other health preserving actions. Resveratrol is also a powerful antioxidant that can help to protect cells from the aging process. Other research has shown resveratrol can improve cellular metabolism, functioning and cellular rejuvenation and is a key player in maintaining youth.
Benefits of Resveratrol as seen in over 100 studies:
• Increases energy and endurance
• Provides strong antioxidant protection
• Improves central nervous system functioning
• Protects against over active immune and inflammatory response
• Reduces the risk of neurodegenerative diseases
• Plays a role in cancer protection
• Strengthens the immune system

Are Resveratrol Supplements Safe?
Studies thus far have not shown any adverse effects using standard treatment doses. While human studies of resveratrol are minimal, no significant side effects have been reported to date. In my book, The Longevity Factor: How Resveratrol and Red Wine can Activate Genes for a Longer and Healthier Life, I discuss the science of genetic activation and the anti-aging capabilities of certain foods and supplements containing trans-resveratrol.
Research surrounding the effects of resveratrol on pregnancy is non-existent. Resveratrol, like soy and red clover supplements, can affect estrogen levels in women, and these changes may have a negative effect on the fetus. Therefore, we do not recommend taking resveratrol supplements while pregnant.
Scientific Studies on Resveratrol
Scientific studies have been conducted to analyze resveratrol’s health benefits. Many have concluded that resveratrol can function to protect the nervous system and improve cellular metabolism.
Scientists at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis reported that resveratrol has protective effects on the nervous system. It has also been linked to providing protection from brain damage, and it is currently being evaluated for its effects on patients with Alzheimer’s disease¹.
As aging occurs, dividing cells lose the ability to carry over adequate amounts of DNA to the new cells that are formed. This causes the new cells to function poorly and die prematurely. Harvard researchers recently published results of a study in the journal Cell indicating that resveratrol activates a protein called stabilizing proteins that are actively involved in the gene (DNA) repair process. By repairing breaks in the chromosomes, the effects of chromosomal damage due to aging are reduced².
Other studies have shown that resveratrol plays a significant role in increasing animal lifespan and may also play a role in cancer protection. Resveratrol’s ability to stimulate the longevity gene is believed to be the key factor in anti-aging, and has the ability to help many.
Why Choose Organic Resveratrol Supplements?
Taking organic resveratrol supplements offers both health and environmental benefits.
Consuming organically grown foods and organic supplements can be a safer way to improve and protect your overall health, because organic products have been produced without the use of toxic chemicals and pesticides. Organic compounds are often more easily absorbed and processed in the body.
Organic resveratrol supplements use plant sources that may offer a wealth of health benefits without also adding to the chemical toxins we consume daily in our foods and environment. For this reason, whenever possible I recommend organic foods and supplements.

About the Author:

Joseph Maroon, MD, FACS, is a world famous board-certified neurosurgeon who has been honored by various national and international neurological societies for his contributions to the profession. He is a professor of neurosurgery and team physician of the Pittsburgh Steelers. In his book, The Longevity Factor: How Resveratrol and Red Wine can Activate Genes for a Longer and Healthier Life, Dr. Maroon relates the new science of genetic activation and the ability of food choices, supplements and lifestyle choices to activate human genes, to better health and disease prevention. Dr. Maroon is the Chairman of the Medical Advisor Board of the 4000+ retail store chain, GNC. He has conducted research on the organic Resveratrol Supplement ResVitále (www.resvitale.com) which is exclusively sold at GNC.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration have not yet evaluated resveratrol. Any dietary supplement cannot claim to diagnosis, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Ref ¹: Biplab Dasgupta and Jeffrey Milbrandt, Resveratrol stimulates AMP kinase activity in neurons, PNAS April 24, 2007 vol. 104 no. 17_ 7217–7222

Ref ²: Philipp Oberdoerffer, Shaday Michan, Michael McVay, Raul Mostoslavsky, David A. Sinclair , et al, SIRT1 Redistribution on Chromatin Promotes Genomic Stability but Alters Gene Expression during Aging Cell, Volume 135, Issue 5, 907-918, 28 November 2008