Dear Member,
I love red wine and I think of drinking it as a “health-enhancing” pleasure. I’m sure you’ve heard that drinking red wine lowers your risk of heart disease. But there’s much more to the story…
We have recently discovered that the same molecule in red wine that protects your heart also blocks inflammation that can lead to lung disease and cancer. Even more exciting – it slows an important part of the aging process.
The active ingredient in this process is resveratrol. It protects the heart by:
•Inhibiting platelet sticking
•Stopping overgrowth of smooth muscle cells
•Blocking oxidation of LDL cholesterol
•Lowering artery plaque
•Reducing irregular heartbeats
The anti-inflammatory property of resveratrol may also treat COPD.1 COPD is the chronic lung disease caused by smoking, pollution and other inhaled toxins. The inflamed response to toxins damages lung tissue over time. Resveratrol inhibits the release of inflammatory chemicals called interleukins that damage or kill lung cells.
Resveratrol fights cancer by:2
•Detoxifying carcinogens
•Inhibiting the synthesis of cancer compounds
•Stimulating the death of cancer cells
•Powerful antioxidant activity
Now Harvard Medical School and BIOMOL Research Labs discovered that resveratrol also has anti-aging properties. Resveratrol increased human cell survival after DNA damage caused by radiation. It even extended the lifespan of roundworms, fruit flies, and human cells in culture.
This is one of the most exciting developments in the field of anti-aging medicine.
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 – so white wine has little resveratrol. Red wines from colder regions have the most resveratrol.
Drinking one or two glasses of red wine is one way to benefit from resveratrol. To get the maximum amount choose wines from Burgundy and Argentina’s Cafayate Valley. Most red wines from California and Australia will have lower amounts.
If you’re not a fan of red wine, resveratrol is also in:
•Raisins
•Purple Grape Juice
•Peanuts
•Mulberries
•Eucalyptus Trees
•Japanese knot wood
Resveratrol is also available as a supplement. A good dose is 20-mg per day. It has never been associated with any worrisome side effects. You can take it any time of day, with or without food.
To Your Good Health,
Al Sears, MD
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1. Warner, Jennifer. “Red Wine Ingredient May Fight COPD” WebMD.com http://aolsvc.health.webmd.aol.com/content/Article/76/89950.htm?printing=true
2. Block, Will. “Resveratrol May Be A Longevity Molecule” Life Enhancement, November 2003: 4-7.