Health Alert 135
You’ve heard that red wine is good for your heart. A molecule in red wine reduces inflammation in blood vessels. This same molecule also blocks inflammation of lung disease and cancer. Even more promising – it slows aging.
In this letter you’ll see what I mean by that. I’ll also show you why this nutrient, resveratrol, is so important. You’ll also learn how you can get its benefits.
* Skin Deep Protection *
Resveratrol is in the skin of grapes. It protects the grape from threats such as cold weather, UV radiation and microbes. The amount of resveratrol in wine differs. White wine is not made with the skins like red is. White wine isn’t as heart healthy. Red wines from colder or greater disease regions have the most resveratrol.1
This nutrient protects the heart by2:
• Inhibiting platelet sticking
• Stopping overgrowth of smooth muscle cells
• Lowering oxidation of LDL cholesterol
• Reducing artery plaques
• Suppressing irregular heartbeats
The anti-inflammatory property of resveratrol may also treat COPD. 3 COPD is the chronic lung disease caused by smoking. The inflamed response to smoke damages lung tissue over time. Resveratrol inhibits the release of inflammatory chemicals called interleukins. Interleukins stimulate the growth and activity of other lung damaging cells.4
Resveratrol fights cancer as well by5:
• Detoxifying carcinogens
• Inhibiting the synthesis of cancer compounds
• Stimulating death of cancer cells
• Powerful antioxidant activity
Harvard Medical School and BIOMOL Research Labs recently found it’s also anti-aging. Resveratrol increased human cell survival after DNA damage caused by radiation. It even extended the lifespan of roundworms, fruit flies, and human cells. 6
This is one of the most exciting recent developments in the field of anti-aging medicine.
* Resveratrol Is a Pleasure to Take *
Drinking one or two glasses of red wine is an enjoyable way to benefit from resveratrol. To get the maximum amount choose wines from Burgundy, New York, and Argentina’s Cafayate Valley. Most red wines from California and Australia will have lower amounts.7
If you’re not a fan of red wine, resveratrol is also in8:
• raisins
• purple grape juice
• peanuts
• mulberries
• eucalyptus trees
• Japanese knot wood
Japanese knot wood is the source of resveratrol in supplements. A good dose is 20mg per day. It has never been associated with any worrisome side effects. You can take it any time of day, with or without food.
Al Sears, MD
1. Block, Will. “Resveratrol May Be A Longevity Molecule” Life Enhancement, November 2003: 4-7.
2. Ibid.
3. Warner, Jennifer. “Red Wine Ingredient May Fight COPD” WebMD.com http://aolsvc.health.webmd.aol.com/content/Article/76/89950.htm?printing=true
4. Ibid.
5. Block, Will. “Resveratrol May Be A Longevity Molecule” Life Enhancement, November 2003: 4-7.