Resveratrol: A Powerhouse Phytonutrient
As each New Year begins, we tend to resolve to lose weight, go the gym more, and generally improve our lives in some manner. Have you considered spicing up your meals and eating more plant-based foods?
While Americans following a vegan or vegetarian diet number only about one in ten, there is good science behind the value of eating more fruits and vegetables, seasoning food with herbs and spices, and drinking tea, coffee, and/or red wine. All of these items contain polyphenols, a natural substance known as micronutrients.
Micronutrients occur naturally in plants and are shown to benefit the human body. Over 8,000 different polyphenols have been discovered to date with the most significant benefits coming not from one single micronutrient, but rather a combination of them.
Of course, the number of polyphenols in food depends on where the food is grown, how it is farmed and transported, and whether it is eaten raw, cooked and otherwise prepared. As antioxidants combating cell damage, clinical studies have shown polyphenols may reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Polyphenols or polyphenol-rich fruit and vegetable concentrates and extracts are found in some multivitamins, powders, and standalone supplements. They are subcategorized as flavonoids or bioflavonoids, stilbenes, lignans, and phenolic acids. It’s the main ingredient found in supplements like curcumin, grape seed extract, green tea extract, pycnogenol, quercetin, and resveratrol.
Our spotlight today is on resveratrol, classified as a stilbene.
Resveratrol occurs naturally in plants like Japanese knotweed, but only in small quantities of edible foods such as grape skins, red wine, peanuts, unprocessed cocoa, and certain berries as grapes, bilberry, blueberry, and cranberry. Resveratrol came to scientific attention in the early 1990s when the famous French paradox theory, since debunked, suggested a diet of high saturated fats and wine every day might be good for heart health.
Because of its limited availability from foods, a global market for resveratrol supplements sprung up. Some supplements are made from red wine or red grape extracts while most are formulated as extracts from the Asian plant, Polygonum cuspidatum.
Generally speaking, resveratrol supplements have shown to be supportive of:
- Antioxidant and Anti-aging
- Anti-Inflammatory
- Brain and Heart Protection
- Infection Fighting
Standard resveratrol supplements do have some side effects. They may bind to iron, a problem for those who are anemic. They may interact with certain blood thinners, pharmaceutical medications, and herbal supplements. Megadoses may cause nausea and stomach upset. Standard resveratrol has good absorption but low bioavailability.
QOL introduces new Resveratrol-SR™ to the SR line of supplements with increased bioavailability and sustained release. Backed by human clinical trials, Resveratrol-SR supports healthy metabolism, normal insulin sensitivity, and optimal blood flow. This formula serves to benefit cardiovascular, brain, and anti-aging objectives.*
Our formula features MicroActive® Resveratrol, a unique micronized, sustained-release matrix which increases bioavailability by 2.5 times compared to regular resveratrol. It offers a steady release of the micronutrient to the body over 12 hours. Because blood levels stay consistently elevated, resveratrol remains in the bloodstream for maximum utilization by the body.
Mom was right. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables! Make sure your diet contains whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes, tasty spices and seasonings, healthy fats and beverages. Polyphenols like resveratrol are beneficial for your heart, brain, and regulating weight.
