The Fountain of Youth, Diabetes and Resveratrol

In Traditional Chinese Medicine food ( including herbal formulas) is used as therapeutic medicine. Western Medical researchers observed  that certain cultures have less incidence of certain types of diseases.  Researchers believed that the food commonly eaten by these cultures is responsible for these health benefits. They coined the phrase "French paradox" to describe the lower incidence of heart disease and cholesterol hidden somewhere in the French diet, even in the presence of a high fat diet in the Mediterranean population, popularizing the Mediterranean Diet. The resveratrol in red wine was identified as the source of the anti-aging and cholesterol and heart disease lowering effects.  

Another source of resveratrol can be found in the Chinese herbal pharmacopeia.

The Chinese herb known as Hu Zhang is high in resveratrol. Hu Zhang or Radix et Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati has been used safely for over 1,500 years in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), as a part of balanced herbal formulas to invigorate the blood, dispel stasis, unblock the channels, clear heat, discharge toxins and stop pain.

Resveratrol is probably the most actively researched phytochemical worldwide and many favorable properties have been demonstrated in pharmacological models. A PubMed search in June 2011 retrieved more than 4,000 articles on resveratrol.


In studies using mice, resveratrol as a single compound, imparts an amazing array of favorable pharmacological activities including antioxidant, cardioprotective, antidiabetic, anticancer, antiviral, neuroprotective, antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory and modulation of fat metabolism. Resveratrol inhibits 
cancer development at all the three known phases of chemical carcinogenesis, namely initiation, promotion and progression. The development of other chronic diseases might also be reduced by resveratrol, based on the many lab studies. These diseases include cardiovascular disease, dementia, type 2 diabetes and osteoarthritis. In addition to its indirect effects on the aging process via SIRT1, this one simple molecule has the potential to directly prevent most of the chronic diseases associated with aging.
These dramatic results provoked worldwide attention and the observation that with resveratrol "you can eat your cake and not have it". However, they also led to considerable discussion as to whether the amount of resveratrol given to the mice was realistically achievable in humans. 


Information about the appropriate human dose of resveratrol comes from recent clinical trials. 
Nineteen overweight/obese men or post-menopausal women (BMI 25-35 kg/m2) with untreated borderline hypertension consumed three different single doses of resveratrol (30, 90 or 270 mg) or a placebo at weekly intervals in a double blind, randomized, crossover comparison. One hour after the resveratrol consumption, its level in plasma and its impact on flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery were assessed. Impaired FMD is associated with several cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension and obesity. With increasing doses of resveratrol, there were proportional increases in plasma resveratrol concentrations. FMD was significantly increased by all doses of resveratrol compared to placebo (p < 0.05), but the higher doses had only a marginally greater impact than the 30 mg dose. J Nutr. 2008 Sep ;138 (9):1602-8.

In another study, 19 patients with type 2 diabetes received just 10 mg/day of resveratrol for 4 weeks in a double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. By the end of the trial, resveratrol had significantly decreased insulin resistance (homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance, HOMA-IR) compared with placebo (p = 0.044). The time to maximum plasma glucose after a test meal was also significantly delayed by resveratrol (p = 0.03 versus placebo). Diabetes 2013;62:1186–1195. 

Based on these studies, an effective long-term human dose for resveratrol probably ranges from 10 to 120 mg/day. While higher doses up to 200 mg/day could be considered safe, doses beyond this limit might not only be unnecessary, they could also prove to be unsafe with prolonged usage. One of the issues with resveratrol is that it is rapidly metabolized and has limited bioavailability. However, resveratrol metabolites (mainly phase II conjugates) might also be bioactive, or act as a reservoir of resveratrol at target tissues. More clinical research needs to be done with the metabolites to know how much residual bioactivity remains and associated half-life parameters.

As with most "magic bullet health solutions", the key to use of any supplements to maintain health lies in finding a balance between supplemental resveratrol (or other supplement use) and healthy living habits. Mais Oui!

Cheers!