Antioxidant and possibly anti-aging
Resveratrol has known antioxidant properties and because it apparently activates the SIRT1 gene, it is believed to protect the body against some of the effects of obesity and the diseases of aging. The jury’s still out on this though, so should be taken with a grain of salt – or a glass of red wine, which contains this polyphenol compound and some believe is the reason French people lead such slim and healthy lives!
Other possible health benefits that some believe resveratrol is good for:
- Fighting heart disease. Resveratrol is thought to assist in reducing inflammation, lowering LDL the “bad” cholesterol, and making blood clots more difficult to form that might lead to a heart attack.
- Cancer. Resveratrol may limit the spread of cancer cells and help to kill them.
- Alzheimer’s Disease. Resveratrol is believed by some researchers to protect nerve cells from cellular damage and help prevent the plaque buildups that are characteristic of the disease.
- Diabetes. Resveratrol does help prevent insulin resistance, in which the body becomes less sensitive to the effects of insulin on lowering blood sugar, which can lead to diabetes.
If you wish to do all you can with current knowledge to extend your lifespan and to enjoy better health during your lifespan, resveratrol should be one of the measures you employ. Otherwise there is no such thing as a resveratrol deficiency and there is no other reason to take it.
If you do decide to take resveratrol, you should know that it is non-toxic and you can safely take more than is recommended on the Vitacost ingredients label. I would recommend that you at least double the recommended dose from one to two capsules daily, as some studies have given doses as high as 2,000 milligrams without any ill effects.