Staying Young

Here is a good article on weight loss tips.  Nothing new from all the others but it’s short and concise….elminate white products and increase fiber.

I didn’t sign up for the program but read the tips.  I have been moving to organic foods to help rid my body of the processed flour and sugars and although I’m not losing weight rapidly, I’m not gaining.

Susan Lark, M.D.’s
“Three Simple Steps to Thin” will help you…
Lose extra pounds safely-once and for all

STEP ONE: Flush false fat by banishing wheat. One of the most common food allergens and a major cause of false fat in many women is wheat. Wheat contains a protein called gluten, which is difficult to break down, absorb and assimilate… all of which can trigger fatigue, depression, bloating and intestinal gas.

The good news is it’s now easier than ever to steer clear of bloat-inducing wheat. This week, try substituting breads made with rice, millet, amaranth, quinoa, or soy and oat; crackers made with rice or potatoes; pasta made with rice, quinoa, or buckwheat; and cookies made with rice, oat or millet flour. You’ll find plenty of delicious options in your health food store or healthy aisle of your supermarket.

You may find with this one simple step, you can digest your food properly, rather than letting it sit in your gut and wreak havoc with your digestive process and waistline!

Think about this. You didn’t diet. You didn’t run a marathon or punish yourself with hours of boring exercise. You never went hungry. You simply eliminated one food that can trigger inflammation and pack on false fat. And with this easy step, you’re well on your way to shedding those unwanted pounds.

You may need to steer clear of other common food allergens sometimes found to contribute to inflammation and “false fat.” In my 21-Day Weight-Loss Plan report, I share these foods and three natural anti-inflammatories I wouldn’t be without. Click here to find out how to get your FREE copy today.

STEP TWO: Knock out your appetite. Most diets will tell you to avoid fats. But did you know that some essential fats help you feel full and can even reduce your appetite? It’s true. Fiber is also known for this. One of my favorite foods — flaxseed — packs a one-two punch providing both of these good things. It’s full of omega-3 fatty acids and an excellent source of fiber — I think of it as one of nature’s most perfect foods. Plus, the essential oils in flax may also help do wonders for your skin. In fact, I’m such a fan of flax that if I were stranded on an island, and had to choose one food to survive on, I’d choose flaxseed hands down.

Flaxseed is a small seed that resembles a sesame seed. You can use it in a variety of ways — but it must be milled or ground for the nutrients to be released. I recommend four to six tablespoons daily, alone or sprinkled on food. Milled flax tastes great in hot or cold cereal, on salads, pasta, or in shakes.

Let me explain the roles fat and fiber play in weight loss. Fat provides more calories than protein and carbohydrates, is used more slowly for energy, and helps to maintain satiety for longer periods of time. I recommend you consume adequate amounts of good fat (omega-3 and –6 essential fatty acids) while dieting, and studies confirm that a moderate fat diet (25%-35% of calories from fat) is effective in losing weight. In addition to their appetite-suppressing abilities, they may also help promote normal brain function, and may improve mood and emotional state, a big plus while losing weight.

Fiber is an integral part of weight loss. It increases bulk and helps reduce appetite, producing feelings of satiety. By slowing the release of carbohydrates into the bloodstream, fiber also helps keep energy levels consistent and high. Sufficient fiber helps support good colon function and helps to eliminate wastes that are released during weight loss. It also helps to bind and flush out excess fluids and estrogen, which I firmly believe contribute to fatty deposits in women.

From fat and fiber, to flax and fullness, sometimes even the smallest things can lead to big changes in your health for better or worse. I want to help you discover how the right small changes can work weight loss wonders for you. Let me show you how. Click here now to learn more about my free report  21-Day Weight-Loss Plan.

STEP THREE: Shift into high gear. You’ve flushed out the false fats, now it’s time to rev up your metabolism, and start burning fat and calories more efficiently. You may be surprised to hear that along with its antioxidant properties, green tea can help you burn calories as well. Green tea contains special chemicals called catechins. These catechins may protect a brain chemical related to metabolism. The higher your levels of this brain chemical, the greater your metabolism and the faster you burn calories.

One cup of brewed green tea contains about 100 mg of catechins. To reap the full benefit of green tea, I recommend consuming at least three eight-ounce cups daily (to provide roughly 240-320 mg of catechins). If you prefer not to drink the tea, either of these options provides the same level of protection: 1) 300-400 mg daily of green tea extract. Be sure the product is standardized to 80 percent catechins and at least 50 percent epigallocatechin (EGCG). This extract is not always caffeine-free; check the label. 2) 100 mg of green tea catechins, taken three times daily. This product is caffeine-free.

Simply do this one thing to help fuel up your metabolism each day or try one of the other natural, fat-burning nutrients that may help with weight loss I recommend in my free report, 21-Day Weight-Loss Plan. They help convert fat to energy, so it doesn’t end up on your hips! Click here to find out how to get your FREE copy. In your report, I’ll also tell you about the connection between thyroid function and weight gain and some small changes you can make to help keep your thyroid functioning properly.

Interesting item I found about Resveratrol.  Of course, there is always going to be a representation of both sides.  It works one day, is harmful the next.  I started taking it and perhaps coincidental, I started getting bad headaches. 

Anyone else having any side effects?

Sinclair and his team at Harvard tested the biological activity of many conventional resveratrol supplements available on the market before the thought of “Longevinex” was ever conceived of. It was in response to Sinclair’s findings that existing resveratrol supplements showed no biological activity due to oxidation that health journalist Bill Sardi contacted chemists in the industry to develop a resveratrol supplement which is protected from oxidation. Sinclair has claimed that he has received no compensation from the Longevinex company, and announced on a mailing list that he planned to pursue legal action against Longevinex for using his name to promote their product without his consent. Other than perhaps initially testing(?) the compound for Sardi, Sinclair made it sound as if he had no financial connection with them.

Sinclair found that only research-grade resveratrol produced under hypoxic conditions and sealed under nitrogen during storage were found to have significant biological activity. The compound simply oxidizes rapidly… think of a sliced apple which turns brown after a short time. Longevinex is the first supplement to be produced under a nitrogen environment, and sealed in an air-tight capsule with a nitrogen bubble inside to protect from oxidation. For the same reason, the resveratrol in red wine is quickly oxidized in less than a day after the bottle is opened. Since wine can be purchased in the plastic collapsable bags, some have chosen to supplement with resveratrol in this fashion. However, one would have to drink over 10 glasses of typical red wine per day to get the same amount of resveratrol, if my memory serves; although some red wines contain more resveratrol than others.

Another problem with resveratrol is that it rapidly forms conjugates both in the digestive tract and during the initial pass through the liver. Quercetin can saturate and bind to the same compounds which conjugate with resveratrol, so Longevinex also includes quercetin in the pill. However, it is a small amount, and my guess is that all of the quercetin, plus all of the resveratrol in the pill will become conjugated. A possible solution to this is to take extra quercetin (say 500mg) shortly before taking Longevinex. Two published studies now have found that resveratrol rapidly forms conjugates and is likely not bioavailable. Quercetin is believed to inhibit this conjugation, and quercetin also helps to activate the same gene that resveratrol does, albeit less potently.

I’ve been taking Resveratrol for four days not and starting on Saturday, I have had intermittent strong headaches.  Not sure if it’s related or not but skipped yesterday and I woke up without a headache.  I took the recommended dose around noon and my headache came back.

Interesting citings about the supplement on wikiflu:  http://www.fluwikie.com/pmwiki.php?n=Consequences.Resveratrol

CONTRAINDICATIONS, PRECAUTIONS, ADVERSE REACTIONS

ADVERSE REACTIONS As resveratrol exhibits estrogen-like properties and activates transcription by estrogen receptor that leads to stimulation of cancer cell proliferation, women with estrogen receptor-positive cancers should avoid resveratrol.

DRUG INTERACTIONS Because resveratrol inhibits platelet aggregation, concurrent use of other antiplatelet drugs may increase the risk of bleeding. This could be harmful in Bird Flu patients with hemorrhagic symptoms Since resveratrol inactivates certain enzymes of the CYP450 family, the concentration of drugs that are metabolized by the same enzymes may increase in the body.

This was published out of Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center:

Summary

• Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound found in grapes, red wine, purple grape juice, peanuts, and some berries. (More Information)
• When taken orally, resveratrol appears to be well-absorbed by humans, but its bioavailability is relatively low because it is rapidly metabolized and eliminated. (More Information)
• Scientists became interested in exploring potential health benefits of resveratrol when its presence was reported in red wine, leading to speculation that resveratrol might help explain the “French Paradox.” (More Information)
• Moderate alcohol consumption has been consistently associated with 20-30% reductions in coronary heart disease risk, but it is not yet clear whether red wine polyphenols, such as resveratrol, confer any additional risk reduction. (More Information)
• Although resveratrol can inhibit the growth of cancer cells in culture and in some animal models, it is not known whether high intakes of resveratrol can prevent cancer in humans. (More Information)
• Resveratrol administration has increased the lifespans of yeast, worms, fruit flies, fish, and mice fed a high-calorie diet, but it is not known whether resveratrol will have similar effects in humans. (More Information)
• At present, relatively little is known about the effects of resveratrol in humans.

Introduction

Resveratrol (3,4′,5-trihydroxystilbene) belongs to a class of polyphenolic compounds called stilbenes (1). Some types of plants produce resveratrol and other stilbenes in response to stress, injury, fungal infection, or ultraviolet (UV) radiation (2). Resveratrol is a fat-soluble compound that occurs in a trans and a cis configuration (see figure 1). Both cis- and trans-resveratrol also occur as glucosides (bound to a glucose molecule). Resveratrol-3-O-beta-glucoside is called piceid (3). Scientists became interested in exploring potential health benefits of resveratrol in 1992 when its presence was first reported in red wine (4), leading to speculation that resveratrol might help explain the “French Paradox” (see Cardiovascular Disease below). More recently, reports on the potential for resveratrol to inhibit the development of cancer (5) and extend lifespan (6) in cell culture and animal models have continued to generate scientific interest.

Metabolism and Bioavailability

Although trans-resveratrol appears to be well-absorbed by humans when taken orally, its bioavailability is relatively low due to its rapid metabolism and elimination (7, . Resveratrol metabolites are primarily detected upon oral exposure to trans-resveratrol. When six healthy men and women took an oral dose of 25 mg of trans-resveratrol, only traces of the unchanged resveratrol were detected in plasma (blood). Plasma concentrations of resveratrol and metabolites peaked around 60 minutes later at concentrations around 2 micromoles/liter (491 micrograms/liter) (7). A study in 12 healthy men administered an oral dose of 25 mg of trans-resveratrol per 70 kg of body weight reported that serum concentration of resveratrol and metabolites peaked at 30 minutes after administration. The concentration of total resveratrol (resveratrol and metabolites) ranged from 416 to 471 micrograms/liter, depending on whether resveratrol was administered in wine, vegetable juice, or grape juice (9). Results of another study suggested that the bioavailability of resveratrol from grape juice, which contains mostly glucosides of resveratrol (piceid), may be even lower than that of trans-resveratrol (10). A recent study reported that bioavailability of trans-resveratrol from red wine did not differ when the wine was consumed with a meal (low- or high-fat) versus on an empty stomach (11).

Information about the bioavailability of resveratrol in humans is important because much of the basic research on resveratrol has been conducted in cultured cells exposed to unmetabolized resveratrol at concentrations that are often 10-100 times greater than peak concentrations observed in human plasma after oral consumption (12). Although cells that line the digestive tract are exposed to unmetabolized resveratrol, research in humans suggests that other tissues are exposed primarily to resveratrol metabolites. Little is known about the biological activity of resveratrol metabolites, and it is not known whether some tissues are capable of converting resveratrol metabolites back to resveratrol (7).

Biological Activities

Direct Antioxidant Activity

In the test tube, resveratrol effectively scavenges (neutralizes) free radicals and other oxidants (13) and inhibits low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation (14, 15). However, there is little evidence that resveratrol is an important antioxidant in vivo (16). Upon oral consumption of resveratrol, circulating and intracellular levels of resveratrol in humans are likely to be much lower than that of other important antioxidants, such as vitamin C, uric acid, vitamin E, and glutathione. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of resveratrol metabolites, which comprise most of the circulating resveratrol, may be lower than that of resveratrol.

Estrogenic and Anti-estrogenic Activities

Endogenous estrogens are steroid hormones synthesized by humans and other mammals; these hormones bind to estrogen receptors within cells. The estrogen-receptor complex interacts with unique sequences in DNA (estrogen response elements; EREs) to modulate the expression of estrogen-responsive genes (17). A compound that binds to estrogen receptors and elicits similar responses to endogenous estrogens is considered an estrogen agonist, while a compound that binds estrogen receptors but prevents or inhibits the response elicited by endogenous estrogens is considered an estrogen antagonist. The chemical structure of resveratrol is very similar to that of the synthetic estrogen agonist, diethylstilbestrol (see figure 2), suggesting that resveratrol might also function as an estrogen agonist. However, in cell culture experiments resveratrol acts as an estrogen agonist under some conditions and an estrogen antagonist under other conditions (18, 19). In estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells, resveratrol acted as an estrogen agonist in the absence of the endogenous estrogen, 17beta-estradiol, but acted as an estrogen antagonist in the presence of 17beta-estradiol (20, 21). At present, it appears that resveratrol has the potential to act as an estrogen agonist or antagonist depending on such factors as cell type, estrogen receptor isoform (ER alpha or ER beta), and the presence of endogenous estrogens (17).

Biological Activities Related to Cancer Prevention

Effects on Biotransformation Enzymes

Some compounds are not carcinogenic until they have been metabolized in the body by cytochrome P450 enzymes (2). By inhibiting the expression and activity of certain cytochrome P450 enzymes (22, 23), resveratrol could help prevent cancer by decreasing exposure to these activated carcinogens. In contrast, increasing the activity of phase II biotransformation enzymes generally promotes the excretion of potentially toxic or carcinogenic chemicals. Resveratrol has been found to increase the expression and activity of the phase II enzyme NAD(P)H:quinone reductase in cultured cells (5, 24).

Preservation of Normal Cell Cycle Regulation

Following DNA damage, the cell cycle can be transiently arrested to allow for DNA repair or activation of pathways leading to cell death (apoptosis) if the damage is irreparable (25). Defective cell cycle regulation may result in the propagation of mutations that contribute to the development of cancer. Resveratrol has been found to induce cell cycle arrest when added to cancer cells grown in culture (26).

Inhibition of Proliferation and Induction of Apoptosis

Unlike normal cells, cancer cells proliferate rapidly and are unable to respond to cell death signals that initiate apoptosis. Resveratrol has been found to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in a number of cancer cell lines [reviewed in (2, 27)].

Inhibition of Tumor Invasion and Angiogenesis

Cancerous cells invade normal tissue aided by enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases. Resveratrol has been found to inhibit the activity of at least one type of matrix metalloproteinase (28). To fuel their rapid growth, invasive tumors must also develop new blood vessels by a process known as angiogenesis. Resveratrol has been found to inhibit angiogenesis in vitro (29-31).

Anti-inflammatory Effects

Inflammation promotes cellular proliferation and angiogenesis and inhibits apoptosis (32). Resveratrol has been found to inhibit the activity of several inflammatory enzymes in vitro, including cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase (33, 34). Resveratrol may also inhibit pro-inflammatory transcription factors, such as NFκB or AP-1 (35, 36)

Biological Activities Related to Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

Inhibition of Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule Expression

Atherosclerosis is now recognized as an inflammatory disease, and several measures of inflammation are associated with increased risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack) (37). One of the earliest events in the development of atherosclerosis is the recruitment of inflammatory white blood cells from the blood to the arterial wall by vascular cell adhesion molecules (38). Resveratrol has been found to inhibit the expression of adhesion molecules in cultured endothelial cells (39, 40).

Inhibition of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation

The proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells plays an important role in the progression of atherosclerosis (41). Resveratrol has been found to inhibit the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in culture (42, 43).

Stimulation of Endolethelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS) Activity

eNOS is an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of nitric oxide (NO) by vascular endothelial cells. NO is needed to maintain arterial relaxation (vasodilation), and impaired NO-dependent vasodilation is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (44). Resveratrol has been found to stimulate eNOS activity in cultured endothelial cells (45, 46).

Inhibition of Platelet Aggregation

Platelet aggregation is one of the first steps in the formation of a blood clot that can occlude a coronary or cerebral artery, resulting in myocardial infarction or stroke, respectively. Resveratrol has been found to inhibit platelet aggregation in vitro (47, 48).

Note: It is important to keep in mind that many of the biological activities discussed above were observed in cells cultured in the presence of resveratrol at higher concentrations than those likely to be achieved in humans consuming resveratrol orally (see Metabolism and Bioavailability above).

Disease Prevention

Cardiovascular Disease

Red Wine Polyphenols

Significant reductions in cardiovascular disease risk have been associated with moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages (49, 50). The “French Paradox”—the observation that mortality from coronary heart disease is relatively low in France despite relatively high levels of dietary saturated fat and cigarette smoking—led to the idea that regular consumption of red wine might provide additional protection from cardiovascular disease (51, 52). Red wine contains resveratrol and even higher levels of flavonoids. These polyphenolic compounds have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other potentially anti-atherogenic effects in the test tube and in some animal models of atherosclerosis (53). However, it is not yet known whether increased consumption of polyphenols from red wine provides any additional protection from cardiovascular disease beyond that associated with its alcohol content (see the separate article on Alcoholic Beverages). The results of epidemiological studies addressing this question have been inconsistent. While some large prospective studies found that wine drinkers were at lower risk of cardiovascular disease than beer or liquor drinkers (54-56), others found no difference (57-59). Socioeconomic and lifestyle differences between people who prefer wine and those who prefer beer or liquor may explain part of the additional benefit observed in some studies. Several studies have found that people who prefer wine tend to have higher incomes, more education, smoke less, and eat more fruits and vegetables and less saturated fat than people who prefer other alcoholic beverages (59-64). Although moderate alcohol consumption has been consistently associated with 20-30% reductions in coronary heart disease risk, it is not yet clear whether red wine polyphenols confer any additional risk reduction. Interestingly, studies that administered alcohol-free red wine to rodents noted improvements in various parameters related to cardiovascular disease (65, 66), and a placebo-controlled human study found that heart disease patients administered red grape polyphenol extract experienced acute improvements in endothelial function (67). However, more studies are needed to determine whether drinking red wine confers any cardiovascular benefit beyond that associated with its alcohol content.

Resveratrol

Resveratrol has been found to exert a number of potentially cardioprotective effects in vitro, including inhibition of platelet aggregation (47, 48, 68), promotion of vasodilation by enhancing the production of NO (46, 69) and inhibition of inflammatory enzymes (34, 70, 71). However, the concentrations of resveratrol required to produce these effects are often higher than those that have been measured in human plasma after oral consumption of resveratrol (7). The results of some animal studies suggest that high oral doses of resveratrol could decrease the risk of thrombosis (clot formation) and atherosclerosis (72, 73), but at least one study found increased atherosclerosis in animals fed resveratrol (74). Although its presence in red wine has stimulated a great deal of interest in the potential for resveratrol to prevent cardiovascular disease, there is currently no convincing evidence that resveratrol has cardioprotective effects in humans, particularly in the amounts present in 1-2 glasses of red wine (see Sources).

Cancer

Resveratrol has been found to inhibit the proliferation of a variety of human cancer cell lines, including those from breast, prostate, stomach, colon, pancreatic, and thyroid cancers (2). In animal models, oral administration of resveratrol inhibited the development of esophageal (75), intestinal (76), and mammary (breast) cancer (20, 77) induced by chemical carcinogens. However, oral resveratrol was not effective in inhibiting the development of lung cancer induced by carcinogens in cigarette smoke (78, 79). The effects of oral resveratrol administration on mice that are genetically predisposed to colon cancer have been mixed (80, 81), and a few studies have documented that oral resveratrol protects against colon cancer development in rats administered the carcinogen, 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (82-84). It is not known whether high intakes of resveratrol can help prevent cancer in humans. Clinical trials are currently underway to address this question and to also determine whether resveratrol might be beneficial in cancer treatment (85). Studies on human metabolism of resveratrol suggest that even very high dietary intakes of resveratrol may not result in tissue levels that are high enough to realize most of the protective effects demonstrated in cell culture studies (7, 12).

Longevity

Caloric restriction is known to extend the lifespans of a number of species, including mammals (86). In yeast, caloric restriction stimulates the activity of an enzyme known as Sir2 (87). Providing resveratrol to yeast increased Sir2 activity in the absence of caloric restriction and extended the replicative lifespan of yeast by 70% (6). Resveratrol feeding also extended the lifespans of worms (C. elegans) and fruit flies (D. melanogaster) by a similar mechanism (88). Additionally, resveratrol dose-dependently increased the lifespan of a vertebrate fish (N. furzeri) (89). However, it is not known whether resveratrol will have similar effects in higher animals. A recent study reported that resveratrol extended lifespan of mice on a high-calorie diet such that their lifespan was similar to that of mice fed a standard diet (90). Although resveratrol increased the activity of the homologous human enzyme (Sirt1) in the test tube (6), it is not known whether resveratrol can extend the human lifespan. Moreover, the resveratrol concentrations required to increase human Sirt1 activity were considerably higher than concentrations that have been measured in human plasma after oral consumption. Interestingly, a recent aging study in mice found that a low dose of dietary resveratrol altered gene expression in heart, brain, and skeletal muscle similar to that induced by caloric restriction (91). Like caloric restriction, resveratrol also blunted the age-related decline in heart function in this study. Clinical trials will be needed to determine if these findings are relevant to humans.

Sources

Food Sources

Resveratrol is found in grapes, wine, grape juice, peanuts, and berries of Vaccinum species, including blueberries, bilberries, and cranberries (92-94). In grapes, resveratrol is found only in the skins (95). The amount of resveratrol in grape skins varies with the grape cultivar, its geographic origin, and exposure to fungal infection (96). The amount of fermentation time a wine spends in contact with grape skins is an important determinant of its resveratrol content. Consequently, white and rosé wines generally contain less resveratrol than red wines (4). Red or purple grape juices may also be good sources of resveratrol (3). The predominant form of resveratrol in grapes and grape juice is trans-resveratrol glucoside (trans-piceid), but wines also contain significant amounts of resveratrol aglycones, thought to be the result of sugar cleavage during fermentation (92). Many wines also contain significant amounts of cis-resveratrol (figure 1), which may be produced during fermentation or released from viniferins (resveratrol polymers) (97). Red wine is a relatively rich source of resveratrol, but other polyphenols are present in red wine at considerably higher concentrations than resveratrol (see the separate article on Flavonoids) (98). The total resveratrol content of some beverages and foods are listed in the tables below. These values should be considered approximate since the resveratrol content of foods and beverages can vary considerably.

Supplements

Most resveratrol supplements available in the U.S. contain extracts of the root of Polygonum cuspidatum, also known as Hu Zhang or kojo-kon (102). Red wine extracts and red grape extracts containing resveratrol and other polyphenols are also available in the U.S. as dietary supplements. Resveratrol supplements may contain anywhere from 10-50 mg of resveratrol, but the effective doses for chronic disease prevention in humans are not known.

Safety

Adverse Effects

Resveratrol is not known to be toxic or cause adverse effects in humans, but there have been only a few controlled clinical trials to date. A recent trial that evaluated the safety of oral resveratrol in ten subjects found a single dose up to 5 grams resulted in no serious adverse effects (103). In rats, daily oral administration of trans-resveratrol at doses up to 300 mg/kg of body weight for four weeks resulted in no apparent adverse effects (104, 105).

Pregnancy and Lactation

The safety of resveratrol-containing supplements during pregnancy and lactation has not been established (102). Since no safe level of alcohol consumption has been established at any stage of pregnancy (106), pregnant women should avoid consuming wine as a source of resveratrol.

Estrogen-sensitive Cancers

Until more is known about the estrogenic activity of resveratrol in humans, women with a history of estrogen-sensitive cancers, such as breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers, should avoid resveratrol supplements (see Estrogenic and Anti-estrogenic Activities above).

Drug Interactions

Anticoagulant and Antiplatelet Drugs

Resveratrol has been found to inhibit human platelet aggregation in vitro (48, 107). Theoretically, high intakes of resveratrol (e.g., from supplements) could increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulant drugs, such as warfarin (Coumadin); antiplatelet drugs, such as clopidogrel (Plavix) and dipyridamole (Persantine); and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin, ibuprofen, and others.

Drugs Metabolized by Cytochrome P450 3A4

Resveratrol has been reported to inhibit the activity of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) in vitro (108, 109). Although this interaction has not been reported in humans, high intakes of resveratrol (e.g., from supplements) could theoretically increase the bioavailability and toxicity of drugs that undergo extensive first-pass metabolism by CYP3A4. Drugs known to be metabolized by CYP3A4 include but are not limited to HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (atorvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin), calcium channel antagonists (felodipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, nisoldipine, nitrendipine, nimodipine, and verapamil), anti-arrhythmic agents (amiodarone), HIV protease inhibitors (saquinivir), immunosuppressants (cyclosporine and tacrolimus), antihistamines (terfenadine), benzodiazepines (midazolam and triazolam), and drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction (sildenafil).

References

Written in March 2005 by:
Jane Higdon, Ph.D.
Linus Pauling Institute
Oregon State University

Updated in June 2008 by:
Victoria J. Drake, Ph.D.
Linus Pauling Institute
Oregon State University

Reviewed in May 2008 by:
William P. Steward, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Oncology
Co-Director of Cancer Biomarkers and Prevention Group
Department of Oncology
University of Leicester

Copyright 2005-2008  Linus Pauling Institute

Disclaimer

The Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center provides scientific information on health aspects of micronutrients and phytochemicals for the general public. The information is made available with the understanding that the author and publisher are not providing medical, psychological, or nutritional counseling services on this site. The information should not be used in place of a consultation with a competent health care or nutrition professional.

The information on micronutrients and phytochemicals contained on this Web site does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, and interactions. It is not intended as medical advice for individual problems. Liability for individual actions or omissions based upon the contents of this site is expressly disclaimed.

It appears resveratrol is making it’s way back into the media (see story below).  This was tested a few year’s ago against heart disease with skeptism.  Now, it’s looked upon as an anti-aging supplement.  It sells around $10-15 at various health food stores.

I found this on another site written in 2004:

Does this mean that you should run out and start ordering resveratrol? No, not unless you can afford to throw away that money. Taking resveratrol supplements now is a bet – you are betting that this substance, quick to decay and difficult to keep potent even in laboratories, will still be useful and viable in pill form. The history of the supplement industry shows this to be a bad bet; you are almost certainly going to lose. Many substances backed by wonderful scientific studies have turned out to have little or no effect – for one reason or another – when taken as supplements.

I think I’m gullable, vain or both so I will try it anyway just to see.

HEALTH AGING

Expect new drugs to treat aging, researchers say
Resveratrol, substance found in red wine, benefits health

By DAVID HO
Cox News Service
Published on: 06/03/08 NEW YORK — Is 90 the new 50?

Not yet, aging researchers say, but medical breakthroughs to significantly extend life and ease the ailments of getting older are closer than many people think.

File photo (ENLARGE)

Entertainer Eartha Kitt is one notable figure who still is active in her senior year. Click the image to see other celebrities.

Photos: Sexy senior celebrities Related health stories: Woodstock residents lose big as part of mayor’s challenge  Expect new drugs to treat aging, researchers say  Breast cancer treatment uneven racially in Ga., study says  Medical data in hand or online poses dilemma  Atlanta Jazz musician Earl Klugh tunes with Pilates  Back to Health news

“The general public has no idea what’s coming,” said David Sinclair, a Harvard Medical School professor who has made headlines with research into the health benefits of a substance found in red wine called resveratrol.

Speaking on a panel of aging experts, Sinclair had the boldest predictions. He said scientists can greatly increase longevity and improve health in lab animals like mice, and that drugs to benefit people are on the way.

“It’s not an if, but a when,” said Sinclair, who co-founded Sirtris Pharmaceuticals to pursue such drugs. The company, which is testing medicine in people with Type 2 diabetes, was recently bought for $720 million by GlaxoSmithKline, the world’s second-largest drug maker.

Sinclair said treatments could be a few years or a decade away, but they’re “really close. It’s not something (from) science fiction and it’s not something for the next generation.”

The discussion of aging was a closing event of the first World Science Festival, a five-day celebration of science for the public that brought together researchers ranging from biologists to quantum physicists. Participants included Nobel laureates, business leaders and philosophers.

At the longevity event, hundreds of people young and old packed a sold-out New York University hall, including actress Jane Fonda, who turned 70 in December.

Aging, particularly aging well and staying healthy, is increasingly a hot topic as the population grays, people live longer and tens of millions of baby-boomers enter or approach their 60s.

The experts here Sunday night said aging research, once a backwater of science, is experiencing an explosion of interest and optimism.

The session began not with talk but with song, as jazz legend Marilyn Maye strode the stage and belted out “Celebration” and “Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News.”

Maye said that most of her life she’s been coy about revealing her age, but this year she admitted that she turned 80 in April.

Maye, who sat on the panel, said the biggest aging myth is that “cosmetic surgery makes you younger. I think attitude is the thing that keeps you young. And energy and activity and just keep moving.”

Robert Butler, a pioneer of aging research who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1976 for the book “Why Survive? Being Old in America,” agreed that “people live longer and better by having a sense of purpose.” He said that while medicine and biology are important for longevity, having friendships and close relationships also have a big impact.

Butler said a revolution in longevity has already arrived, noting that in the last century life spans increased 30 years, more than in the previous 5,000 years of human history.

Given the latest research, he said, more resources must be devoted to understanding the biology of aging, since “with one pill, we might be able to do a lot for many different conditions.”

Some of that research comes from Richard Weindruch, a professor at the University of Wisconsin and director of LifeGen Technologies who studies how extremely low-calorie diets affect aging.

Weindruch said his research, which began by showing how consuming little food could greatly increase the life spans of mice, moved on in 1989 to a long-term study on monkeys that can live up to 40 years.

“Just now we’re starting to see statistically significant improvements in survival and resistance to disease and favorable effects on brain aging,” he said. He said his team hopes to publish these results soon.

Sinclair said that based on Weindruch’s work, he set out a decade ago to find the genes involved in caloric restriction and find a pill that can provide the benefits “without you feeling hungry all the time.”

He described how his research found that mice given large doses of resveratrol “live longer, they’re almost immune to the effects of obesity. They don’t get diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s as frequently. We delay the diseases of aging.”

Sinclair showed video of mice on resveratrol running on a treadmill far more vigorously than those who didn’t get the substance. He called them “our Lance Armstrong mice.”

A large dose meant the equivalent of a human drinking about 1,000 bottles of red wine daily, he said.

While the implications of the 2006 study for humans was uncertain, the news set off a surge in sales of dietary supplements containing resveratrol. Some scientists warned of its unproven effects and raised safety concerns.

Sinclair has said that he has taken resveratrol supplements, but at the longevity event he cautioned that right now there is no proven magic pill to extend life.

His suggestion? Exercise.

I contacted Murad today to cancel the acne care system as my daughter refused to use it anymore.  I did receive an e-mail from Murad as well stating that you will begin seeing new breakouts as the skin is purging and it’s just the natural part of the process.  This is typical of most acne products that I have tried but she refuses to keep using it.

They also stated in about a week’s time, you should start seeing real improvement in your skin.  You should find your skin becoming smoother, clearer and less painful.  Although many people begin seeing results almost immediately, each person’s skin is different, and the timeframe in which you see changes in your skin may vary.

They did note they have special kits just for different skin tones which I should have used but I had already cancelled.

Oh well….too late now as I don’t want to recommit.  The process was easy to cancel as all I had to do was call the 800 number and use the automated system.  I prefer to use the internet since I was able to enroll that way, I should be able to cancel.

Okay, it’s almost week three on Murad’s Resurgance and I like it.  My face appears smoother and softer and I think the finer lines might be diminshing a little bit.  I think my complexion overall looks much healther and vibriant. 

The acne treatment is breaking my daughter out even more as well as making her face really dry.  She’s going to quit using it.