Resveratrol Supplements are a Smart Decision for Your Health

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Everyone is still looking for the fountain of youth. Is it real or just a fantasy? For many researchers, the studies, early laboratory findings, and test results on resveratrol have been very promising. As the latest antioxidant to be discovered, it is a naturally-occurring chemical found in the skins and seeds of grapes, in red wine, fruits, and also nuts. The effects on mice have been unparalleled and have produced excitement in the medical community as well as in the news. In 2008, a report was released that introduced the world to the health benefits and possibilities by proving that cells taken from gliomas, or brain tumors, had shown a decreased rate of growth. It also slowed the aging process for the mice and helped some to lose fatty tissue.The details of the first studies were released in June of 2008 and brought the combination of red wine and the French person?s diet into the spotlight. With as much daily saturated fat as the average American?s, why do the French experience a lower rate of hearth disease that we do?  The answer may be in the red wine they regularly drink. Even low doses of the valuable extract found in red wine have been shown to have anti-aging benefits in mice. Apparently, resveratrol mimics the phenomenon of a 20-30% caloric restriction and the associated health benefits. The bonus: protection against heart and cardiovascular disease. A study in 2008 published by the National Health Institute confirmed the findings with mice showing healthier aortas and obese mice showing decreased cholesterol levels. The study also looked at both lower and higher doses and found that lower does were very effective in preventing early death in groups of mice that were fed a high-fat diet. This is because the lower levels are those found in amounts equal to what is found in one?s diet, such as 1 or 2 glasses of red wine per day. Further, the anti-aging component of resveratrol had ?influence?on heart, muscle and brain [through] changes in gene expression in those tissues.? For humans, this could have such profound effects on longevity that some are rushing out to buy vitamins and supplements containing the compound.Hoping for a free ticket to the fountain of youth may be a stretch of the imagination, but with the French as living proof of regular exposure to red wine and its life-giving properties, they may be on to something revolutionary. The idea is to supplement one?s diet with the one substance that mimics caloric restriction, a proven technique in extending life expectancy. Instead of red wine, one could ostensibly take a supplement with their regular diet and reap the reward the French have enjoyed for centuries. Researchers caution that it is too early to tell how directly the results in mice can directly translate to humans. But with such promising results, why not begin researching online, reading articles or a product review, post comments and questions in forums, and start reading what the scientific community has to say in 2009. It seems plausible that we may be getting closer to finding our sought-after ?fountain of youth.?

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