resveratrol,a benefit and effect

Seventeen years ago, 60 Minutes first examined the so-called French paradox, which suggested that the French - despite a high fat diet and high consumption of wine, had a remarkably low incidence of heart disease, compared with Americans. Most researchers agreed that there was something in the wine that offered protection, and a few years later, even the highly cautious federal dietary guidelines say that moderate consumption of red wine can be beneficial.

Now, scientists across the country have identified a substance in red wine called resveratrol that they believe might do more than just protect the heart, but could , in very high concentrations - significantly extend life by preventing a number of age related illnesses. If they're right, we all may soon be taking a pill that could give us an extra decade or two of healthy old age.

"If the promise holds true, I think this has the chance to change healthcare,Our goal is to prevent and forestall many of the diseases that strike us as we reach 50, 60, and 70. All with one pill." Dr. Christoph Westphal tells correspondent Morley Safer. 

Beside that, resveratrol, a common dietary supplement, suppresses the abnormal cell formation that leads to most types of breast cancer, suggesting a potential role for the agent in breast cancer prevention. Resveratrol is a natural substance found in red wine and red grapes. It is sold in extract form as a dietary supplement at most major drug stores.

"Resveratrol has the ability to prevent the first step that occurs when estrogen starts the process that leads to cancer by blocking the formation of the estrogen DNA adducts. We believe that this could stop the whole progression that leads to breast cancer down the road," said Eleanor G. Rogan, Ph.D., a professor in the Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

The formation of breast cancer is a multi-step process which differs depending on type of disease, a patient's genetic makeup and other factors. However, scientists know that many breast cancers are fueled by increased estrogen, which collects and reacts with DNA molecules to form adducts.

The Side Effect

When it comes to consuming drugs or supplements, side effects are inevitable.  Whether we own up to it or not, there is a risk involved when you ingest a substance into your body.  This becomes even more apparent with "newer" supplements, resveratrol included, where that risk increases due to the lack of testing and long-term human studies that have been completed.

It's important to mention that not all side-effects are negative.  Many drugs have been known to provide positive side effects that were not originally expected.  A great example of this was with the famous erectile dysfunction drug, Viagra, made by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer.  Viagra was first produced to help men suffering chest pains from heart disease.  As it turns out Viagra is not used for this ailment and is now the #1 most prescribed sexual dysfunction drug in the world.

I understand the example above is a bit extreme but I think you get the picture that side effects come in all shapes and sizes.

When it comes to Resveratrol many of the side effects are based on personal consumption accounts.  With there being a minimal amount of published research where resveratrol was used on humans, determining absolute side effects has been very difficult.  We have to rely on personal accounts, estimates on the transfer of effects between mice and humans, or do "self" studies in as best a controlled environment as possible.

Keeping a journal, good medical records, and getting baseline blood-work done goes a long way to proving what is placebo effectand what is real.  Throughout the research I've done and from the personal experiences I've had with Resveratrol, I was able to put together a list of potentially negative side effects:

• Tendinitis Pain: this has primarily been reported in the Achilles tendon but has also been said to occur in other locations as well.

• Arthritic Joint Pain:suggested to occur with higher doses of resveratrol.

• Stomach Pain & Diarrhea:this is more often found in low quality or 50% resveratrol formulations.  The "emodin" content in these formulations is higher then in more pure 99% resveratrol formulations and is known to cause stomach problems.

• Numbness in the Extremities: this has been stated as occurring briefly after consumption and only lasting a few minutes at a time.  It has been noted to go away after a few days of use.

• Caffeine Like High: the feeling of being jittery soon after consumption.

• Decreased Appetite: some find this to be a negative while others see it as a positive.

The above list are not scientific findings, rather they are accounts I've read on-line and personally experienced.  On the list I've experienced both tendinitis pain and numbness of my fingers.  Both of which I did not find to last for longer then a few days.

For me the potential benefits certainly out weigh the potential negatives.  I am hopeful over the next few years more human studies will be completed and we will have less of a guessing game and more concrete information to base our decisions off of.