Red Wine and Heart Health

Resveratrol is a phytoalexin (anti-fungal andbenzo[a]pyrene. J. Appl. Toxicol. 2003;23:255-61).
anti-bacterial chemical) produced naturally by grapesHeart Disease
and other plants in response to fungal infection.Research of Resveratrol and its effects on the heart
Found abundantly in the skin of red grapes,have reported Resveratrol to have extensive
Resveratrol shows promising results in combatingpotential benefits: As a potentially potent antioxidant
diseases like cancer, cardiovascular and related heartactivity. Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant. It helps
disease, and Alzheimer's disease. Research also looksprevent lipid peroxidation of low-density lipoprotein. A
promising for its role in extending life span, promotingstudy published in Free Radical Research reported
anti-viral activity and increasing physical stamina.It isthat testing of Resveratrol, Vitamin E and a synthetic
important to note that research on Resveratrol hasantioxidant resulted in resveratrol as the best
been done only in test tubes or rodents. Whiledefense against scavenging artery-damaging radicals.
evidence is still inconclusive, the volume of research(Ref. Tadolini, B. et al. Resveratrol inhibition of lipid
and positive inferences suggest that Resveratrolperoxidation. Free Radic. Res. 2000;33:105-14)
could have massive, revolutionary possibilities forIn helping prevent damage to blood vessels. A recent
treating human beings!British research claims Resveratrol protects against
Longevitycellular damage to blood vessels caused by high
Resveratrol became the first-ever supplement knownproduction of glucose in diabetes. These elevated
to activate a longevity gene. Aging and death islevels of glucose can cause heart disease, kidney
caused by older cells losing their ability to perfectlydisease, and blindness. Dr. Matt Whiteman, lead
replicate DNA, producing DNA "mistakes". DNAresearcher, stated, "...our research shows the link
mistakes accumulate forming "DNA debris" whichbetween high levels of glucose, its damaging effect
eventually stops a cell from functioning. Studies showon cell structure, and the ability of resveratrol to
that Resveratrol reduces the frequency of "DNAprotect against and mend that damage."
debris" by 60% through the longevity gene that itIn helping reduce cholesterol. Resveratrol has been
stimulates.shown to modulate the metabolism of lipids, and
(Ref. Hall, S.S., 2003. Longevity research. In vinoinhibit the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins, thus
vitalis? Compounds activate life-extending genes.helping to regulate cholesterol levels.
Science 301, 1165).In helping protect the blood circulation and heart
Cancerfunction. Nitric oxide, a major component in heart
Study of Resveratrol done at the University ofartery function allows blood vessels to "relax," thus
Rochester shows mounting evidence that suggestsenhancing blood flow. A diet high in cholesterol has
Resveratrol kills cancer cells while protecting healthybeen found to decrease the function of nitric oxide
cells from radiation treatment. It does this by disablingby about one third. Research found Resveratrol
the cancer cell's mitochondria (DNA power source).supplements significantly reversed this trend, helping
Dr. Paul Okunieff, lead author of this researchprotect blood circulation and heart function.
announced, "Resveratrol seems to have a therapeutic(Ref .Zou JG, et al. Effect of red wine and wine
gain by making tumor cells more sensitive to radiationpolyphenol resveratrol on endothelial function in
and making normal tissue less sensitive". He furtherhypercholesterolemic rabbits. Int. J. Mol. Med.
stated, "this research indicates that resveratrol has a2003;11:317-20).
promising future as part of the treatment forIn helping prevent platelet aggregation which leads to
cancer."blood clots, heart attacks and strokes. Resveratrol
(Ref. Mounting Evidence Shows Red Wine Antioxidantkeeps blood cells from sticking together. Canadian
Kills Cancer", Department of Radiation Oncology,researchers found that nothing else they tested was
University of Rochester Medical Center., 2008-03-26.active against this aspect of heart disease except
Retrieved on 2008-03-26).Resveratrol, which inhibited not only thrombin, but a
Atheltic Performancehost of other stickiness-promoting factors.
Mice that were fed resveratrol for 15 weeks showed(Ref. Pace-Asciak, C.R. et al. The red wine phenolics
better treadmill endurance. The study supported atrans-resveratrol and quercetin block human platelet
hypothesis that the effects of resveratrol are due toaggregation and eicosanoid synthesis: implications for
the activation of SIRT1.protection against coronary heart disease. Clin. Chim.
(Ref. Johan Auwerx, Institute of Genetics andActa. 1995;235:207-19).Sources of Resveratrol
Molecular and Cell Biology in Illkirch, France).Foods containing resveratrol are red wine, peanuts,
Antiviral Effectscranberries, blueberries, Japanese knotweed.The
The study of Resveratrol has shown promisingconcentration of Resveratrol in red wine varies from
results, in vitro, in increasing the potency of somewine to wine. Excess consumption of wine can also
anti-retro-viral drugs against HIV. Study also showedbe harmful to health, and addictive. The best way to
90% effectiveness when resveratrol was added sixobtain a standardized amount of Resveratrol daily is
hours after an influenza virus infection.to take a Resveratrol supplement. Trans-resveratrol
(Ref. Revel, A. et al. Resveratrol, a natural arylin the powder form is used in making Resveratrol
hydrocarbon receptor antagonist, protects lung fromsupplements, like Red Defense. This is also a good
DNA damage and apoptosis caused byoption for people who do not consume alcohol.