Updated: November 28, 2024. Resveratrol, a chemical found in red grapes, other foods, and red wine, is a hot topic these days because of claims that it might help not only ward off heart disease, cancer, and diabetes but also help us live longer! But do you need to supplement with resveratrol? It's a good question to ask, considering how much this stuff is being touted as “the fountain of youth.”
For fun, I Googled “resveratrol” and discovered that it returned over 4 million hits! Many of these are from websites and “experts” claiming that resveratrol helps you live longer. I've heard Dr. Oz talking and Oprah talking about it. Even the once-venerated TV news show 60 Minutes did a segment on pharmaceutical companies that are working to develop a drug to mimic the effects of resveratrol.
However, as an investigator of supplements since the 1990s, I've always been skeptical of the amazing claims made by makers of some resveratrol supplements.
Resveratrol Research
The study was published in the June 2009 issue of the peer-reviewed journal Cell Cycle. The researchers wanted to see if resveratrol could inhibit a protein called “mTOR” that helps regulate cell growth and survival. In a nutshell, the researchers found that resveratrol could “partially” prevent the age-related loss of the cell's ability to reproduce itself. Partially or not, that's pretty good news because it means resveratrol may have some anti-aging properties; however, here is what you may not hear:
The amount of resveratrol needed to help the cells along was, in the words of the researchers, “near toxic” levels!
Even in the 60 Minutes interview, researchers emphasize that people would have to drink about 1000 glasses of red wine a day to get the resveratrol used in laboratory studies.
In another study, researchers noted that people taking 500 mg to 1000 of resveratrol showed less brain shrinkage than those taking a placebo. That's interesting, but the real test would be to see if the supplement improves people's memory.
In another investigation, researchers gave 500 mg of resveratrol to people with type II diabetes. While the nutrient raised HDL and activated anti-aging genes called sirtuins, it did not reduce inflammation. Cellular inflammation is thought to play a role in aging. Some researchers believe this so much they actually call it “inflame-aging.”
Resveratrol vs. Pterostilbene
Pterostilbene is sometimes touted as the “new resveratrol.” This plant nutrient polyphenol is found in foods like blueberries and peanuts as well as red grapes,s, and red wine. It's said to be better absorbed and for this reason, it's incorporated into various anti-aging supplements. Some research suggests pterostilbene may help memory and fight aging but it's too soon to know if this is true in humans. Studies comparing what's better, resveratrol or pterostilbene, are lacking. Concerning evidence potentially links pterostilbene to elevations in LDL .
What Do I Suggest?
Until more is known, I suggest getting your resveratrol from foods like blueberries. Here is the smoothie recipe I make with blueberries to get you started.
Other Anti-Aging Supplements
See these other reviews for more insights
- Tru Niagein Review
- NMN Review
- GlyNac supplements
- Protandim Review
- Ergotheoninie Review
- Antiaging supplement videos (my YouTube channel)
Do You Need Resveratrol?
If you are supplementing with resveratrol or thinking about it, I suggest you save your money for now. Yes, the research is interesting, and yes, many pharmaceutical companies are salivating at the idea of making a drug that we would take regularly (like a vitamin) to help us stay healthy and live longer.
For the moment, there is still no magic bullet to staying healthy and living longer. You have to work at it. That involves eating fewer calories, not smoking, and exercising regularly. On that point, I'm sure Dr. Oz and all the other experts out there would agree with me.
What do you think?