Reduce Inflammation & Improve Whole Body Health with Resveratrol

April 4th, 2013 · 4 Comments · Antioxidant, Heart Health

By now you may have heard about Resveratrol and its benefits to the body in combating free radicals or its ability to promote anti-aging and youthful skin. Something you may not be aware of are recent studies in Spain revealing the amazing anti-inflammatory affect Resveratrol can have on your system. Chronic inflammation underlies many chronic conditions including heart disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, arthritis, cancer, and even weight gain so the results of these studies are encouraging to so many. Curious how Resveratrol can help you live a healthier life with less inflammation? Take a look.

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Japanese knotweed

Resveratrol supplements come from grapes and Japanese knotweed, a plant with high concentrations of the nutrient. While there are food sources of Resveratrol (grape skins, wine, grape juice, peanuts, blueberries, bilberries, and cranberries) the therapeutic benefits of the nutrient can only be attained through supplementation.  A study at the University of Buffalo looked at the anti-inflammatory abilities of Resveratrol by giving participants a supplement containing 40 mg, once a day. After six weeks, blood samples showed notably fewer free radicals and less evidence of inflammation. A Spanish study published in The American Journal of Cardiology focused on the benefits of Resveratrol for 75 participants at high risk for heart disease. When the study was complete they found that inflammation had been reduced by 26 percent using a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein test, a standard medical tool to gauge chronic inflammation. Aside from the decreased chance of heart disease for the participants, researchers also noted that Resveratrol could benefit the heart by reducing the stickiness or viscosity of blood, which can lead to dangerous clots. A final benefit of Resveratrol to the heart comes from a study at Marywood University where 51 sedentary people were offered a Resveratrol supplement and after 3 months their hearts were working more efficiently during exercise.

Aside from addressing inflammatory issues in the heart, Resveratrol shows some promise for inflammation throughout the body as well. As a powerful activator of our genes, Resveratrol helps to stir them (genes in our body are not constantly active, they sit in our cells until signaled to perform).  As an activator, Resveratrol triggers a mechanism that tells your genes to produce anti-inflammatory substances. Consider this: if you sit down to a dinner of a burger and fries, you are activating your genes and telling them to produce inflammatory agents throughout the body. You might feel sluggish, you may potentially see swelling on your body, and your system slows as a result of the inflammatory response. On the contrary, if you sat down to a meal similar to a Mediterranean diet (fresh vegetables and healthy fats) your body signals for anti-inflammatory agents to be activated. Just like a healthy diet, Resveratrol activates genes in a positive way.

There’s more good news for your system where Resveratrol is concerned. Type 2 diabetics and people with abnormal blood sugar or insulin have found that Resveratrol helps to restore normal function, a key in preventing and treating diabetes. One study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that insulin sensitivity was improved with its use and blood sugar was utilized for energy rather than accumulating in the blood and damaging arteries. Want more? Animal studies have found that Resveratrol protects against growths that may develop into cancer, especially in the skin, liver, pancreas, and colon while stopping the growth of cancer cells.

While the buzz surrounding Resveratrol began when studies revealed it could extend the lifespan of fish, micresveratrol_six_web_ready[1]e, worms, and fruit flies, this research can’t be applied to humans just yet. Because our life expectancy is much longer than any of the animals involved in the study, scientists believe it could be decades before we reach a definitive conclusion. No matter the outcome of human studies on life expectancy, Resveratrol supplements have proven to be safe and beneficial to the entire system.

Ready to give Resveratrol a try? Our favorite is Resveratrol Six from Kroeger Herb Products which combines Japanese knotweed (the most concentrated source of Resveratrol on the planet) along with Grape seed, Hawthorn berry, Ginkgo leaf, Pomegranate fruit, and Rosemary leaf. This special blend of herbs acts as an anti-oxidant combination to sweep free radicals from the system, support brain function, and improve the look and feel of skin all while providing the benefits of Resveratrol mentioned above!

Want to address inflammation with your diet? Check out our list of natural anti-inflammatory foods.

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4 Comments so far ↓

  • Nancy Bennett

    can this be taken with the medication of Coumadin?

    • Sara Beth

      Thanks for your question, Nancy. Because we are not physicians, we’re unable to give you an answer to that. Please check with your doctor before beginning any herbal supplement program while on medications.

  • Phyllis

    If worms are in the human body/colon their life could be extended by taking Resveratrol?

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