Resveratrol. We've all heard its good for us, but, is there a darker side to resveratrol that few people are talking about? Previously I've written about how resveratrol might be toxic in high levels. Now I report on a study that is more disturbing.
This study of resveratrol appeared in the journal, Molecular Carcinogenesis. Basically researchers observed that resveratrol enhanced the growth of certain types of human cancer cells. Resveratrol did this at low concentrations too – so it didn’t take a lot. Resveratrol did not increase cancer growth rates in other types of human cancer cells.
We have all heard about the health properties of resveratrol which is found naturally in grapes. It’s an antioxidant and research seems to show that it may slow down some aspects of the aging process. It may do a lot of good stuff in addition to this also and this is the reason that so many people market resveratrol supplements. I wanted to let you know that things are not always as simple as people say.
This study highlights that resveratrol may inhibit some types of cancer while at the same time resveratrol might promote other types of cancer.
Resveratrol might be bad for breast cancer and prostate cancer but others types may exist too so always discuss the supplements you take with your oncologist and family physician.
Is resveratrol toxic?
Here is my review of research that resveratrol may be toxic to human cells
There is still a lot we do not know about how supplements interact with various diseases. Be very cautious of what you take if you have cancer.
I have a part time position where I am the Health, Wellness, and Beauty Adviser for a company called Crossmark. I am finding the attainment of knowledge to be particularly problematic. The position calls for me to advise people on the best product to use for whatever their needs are. I also advise them regarding skin care, vitamins (available for sale), and nutritional supplements like whey protein, protein bars and the like.
Much of the stuff is complete and utter horse manure. For example, Ensure with “Revigor.” This new Ensure is marketed to increase “muscle health.” It has a whopping 13 grams of protein as opposed to the regular old Ensure which has just 9. The new Ensure costs 24.98 for 16 bottles, while the old Ensure costs 24.98 for about 30 (bulk pack.) When people asked me what the difference was, I was hard pressed to say there was any difference. The new one costs more for less product. The extra 4 grams of protein were hardly of consideration to anyone buying the products. Of course there are many, many other products available that have far more protein,less sodium (280 gms.) less sugar, (23 gms.,) fat, and carbs,(32 gms.) than Ensure.
This particularly bothered me because Ensure comes highly “doctor recommended.” People are often introduced to this product while hospitalized and in a vulnerable state of mind. When I read and re-read the label to find out what this so-called “revigor” ingredient was. I was unable to find it. What I figured out was that the second ingredient after water is SUGAR, not high fructose corn syrup, just plain sugar. As in sugar water. So people were being encouraged to pay $25.00 for some sugar water in a bottle. I was pretty disgusted and found that I was unable to promote this product. When asked about it, I stated that it is mostly recommended for people who have lost a lot of weight while ill and who need to keep weight on them. This was as close to the truth as I could go. Every time I have a product, I do the research. I got that from you and Dr. Bill:)
Yesterday we featured Atkins “Nutrition” Bars. Of course all these are are high priced candy bars. The claims on the box would amuse you though. The manufacturers claim that a person can lose up to 15 pounds in 14 days by using the product. I know this is sheer malarkey so I did the math. Turns out one would have to create a DEFICIT of 3500 calories a day to lose 15 pounds in 14 days. In other words, not eat anything let alone the Atkins bars. The more I learn the more disgusted with the job I grow. I invariably have to steer the client to a better product and sometimes to a different store!
This review of the Resveratrol is really timely for me because I was called on to feature it a few weeks ago and it will come up again soon. I knew the stuff was a bunch of junk. It doesn’t even taste good for Pete’s sake. Now with the knowledge that one would have to drink enough so as to be toxic in order for it to have the effects it claims, it will be impossible for me to promote it in good conscience.
Apparently I am a tad over-qualified for the position as my knowledge and professional ethics won’t allow the cognitive dissonance to exist much longer. Thank God I will have the Personal Training certificate to go along with my M.A. soon. I will be trying hard to start my business as an independent contractor so I can leave there.
I really appreciate all of the hard work you put into your websites. You are really helping me a lot with my continuing education in fitness. I also love Dr. Bill’s website. You guys really have a heart for people and it is so evident in your work. I’m going to purchase your book about what you need to know after you become certified. And I am going to continue to learn everything I can. Thanks so much for your help.
Christallin, it sounds like you at least have an interesting job! Yeah, Bill is one of the smartest people I know. We met each other by accident many years ago when we were both independently researching the weight loss supplement and coming to the same conclusions. Bill went on to publish a review on the product, called Pyruvate. Here is a link to his review http://williamsukala.com/articles/ijsnpyruvate.pdf
I have been reluctant to purchase freeze dried acai powder although acai and pomegranate mixed with applesauce has a positive health effect. I am no longer able to obtain the applesauce and wish to mix my own but fear of carcinogenesis in freeze dried acai powder has kept me from doing so. Can you advise me regarding acai freeze dried powder? Is it toxic and what quantity of consumption is unsafe?