According to Dr. Mark Stengler in his Bottom Line Natural Healing Newsletter of January 09, metabolism and weight control greatly benefit from resveratrol. Much current research is now being done. Preliminary studies show two areas of why longevity is extended. The first is believed due to the activity of the longevity gene, SIRT1; it is stimulated and activated. The second is correlated to oxidative damage . . . the mother of all degenerative diseases.

Robb and others in their research on the biochemistry and biophysics (published in that journal) found a 14 fold increase in the activity of MnSOD (SOD2). The significance of SOD2 is that it reduces oxidative damage due to free radicals which need electrons.

Needed electrons are stolen from weaker compounds, unless anti-oxidants are available.  Free radicals propel heart disease and produce cancer.  Free radicals cause oxidative damage; however, anti oxidants propelled by SOD2 reduce inflammation and inhibit degenerative diseases like cardiovascular and cancer.

SOD2 confers resistance to mitochondrial dysfunction and thereby directly helps heart strength. The mitochondria are the energy factories in all cells. The heart muscle needs at least 4 to 5 times the amount of energy that other cells need. Heart failure is reduced as well as definitely reducing the inflammatory effect of the free radicals.

Heart failure, due to lack of energy from the mitochondria, plus inflammatory atherosclerosis, are the primary factors in heart disease. Resveratrol enormously reduces heart disease. Resveratrol is the most plausible reason for increased life expectancy. (It inhibits other degenerative diseases, thereby also extending longevity)

In animal studies, mice fed unhealthy fats and free radical damaging diets, confirm that indeed oxidative damage was reduced by resveratrol and life expectancy was increased. In other words in spite of a lousy diet with exposure to free radicals, the resveratrol supplemented mice lived longer and had more physical endurance.

What are the health benefits that resveratrol researchers are finding? “Reduced heart attacks”, “Less damage from strokes”, “Improved cognition”, “Less fat accumulation”, “Enhanced immune system against viruses”, “Reduced cancers”, “Youthful endurance and physical activity”, and “youthful appearance”.

All degenerative diseases benefit from the reduction of free radicals; they are paramount to all degenerative diseases. A heart healthy diet and good supplements make sense for staying healthy and living longer.

Some scientists began to question is resveratrol alone the full cause of increased longevity? It turns out there is evidence of another factor.

Dr. Jay Rowen, M.D. reports in his June 2009 newsletter, Second Opinion, that there appears to be another factor in the red wine that contributes to longevity. It comes to light from research done at the University of California in Davis. Dr. Andrew Waterhouse, professor there, reports that ingredients called saponins are not only present in the resveratrol but also in the wine itself. They come from the wax in the wine skins.

Research shows that the saponins are plant sterols that are similar to cholesterol but are not harmful, but helpful to your health in two ways. They are a substitute for the cholesterol.  They hinder accumulation of it in the arteries plus they are antioxidants that reduce inflammation. Antioxidants reduce free radical damage that affects your DNA and genetic code. Damaged DNA produces sick cells that lead to all kinds of degenerative diseases.

The bottom line is this.  Resveratrol, found in the red grape skins and the red wine itself,  is shown to confer longer life expectancy. A small daily amount of red wine appears to be a health benefit.    This does not mean overindulgence in wine is a good thing because it can create health damage by cirrhosis of the liver and disruption of health in general.  At this point resveratrol supplementation is the best answer to longevity for most.  Researcher Dr. Carrie Doenell reports weight loss and energy improvement of 75 %.  She recommends a supplement of 125 mg daily…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

Technorati Tags: anti oxidants, free radicals, heart disease, mitochondria, resveratrol, SOD2

Burgundy France prompted this rush of research because longevity with humans was shown to be increased by 46% in a scientific study, in spite of a lousy fat diet.

A Harvard Medical School professor says “The red wine chemical resveratrol extends the life of every organism we give it to.” Many animal experiments have already been conducted and virtually all species have extended live spans in spite of even terrible, fatty diets.

As  mentioned already,  a 46 percent longer life span was found in Burgundy France. High levels of resveratrol are found in the grape skins of the Burgundy red grapes.

Burgundy is a tough growing climate environment and grapes that survive here have especially high resveratrol content. The Monrovian purple grape appears to have 25 times more resveratrol than other grapes.   Its effect is labeled the “French Paradox”.

How does resveratrol work? It stimulates a longevity gene. This triggers a defense enzyme that increases the individual’s ability to repair itself. This helps cancel oxidative damage that robs you of longevity; it helps prevent health breakdown.

Oxidative damage is the chief cause of destructive aging and resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent this.

By preventing oxidative damage the genetic code (DNA) is preserved from a more rapid, age related destruction.  Free radicals, the cause of oxidative damage, shorten your life.

Recent animal studies show that increasing the levels of resveratrol increases the number of mitochondria inside all cells of the body. The significance of this is that mitochondria are the energy factories for individual cells.

One benefit of increasing the number of mitochondria is the reduction of fat. The more efficient the energy production, the more efficient the fat burn by these energy factories.

The second benefit of increased resveratrol is activation of the longevity gene. (This is clearly proven by longevity studies on humans). Where there are high levels of resveratrol, long term, this means as much as a 46 percent increase in life expectancy . . . as was shown in Burgundy, France.

This longevity gene, SIRT1, promotes better glucose and insulin control which translates into more energy, reduction of fat and less diabetes.

Resveratrol is an exciting breakthrough that is not yet fully revealed to mainstream America. It has great promise as a life extending supplement and enemy of degenerative diseases.  It appears to be a fountain of youth enhancement that can easily be applied…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

P.S. Bookmark this blog for the soon release of Part 2 Resveratrol.

Technorati Tags: fountain of youth, free radical damage, longevity, oxidative damage, reduction of fat, resveratrol

Resveratrol was an amazing new discovery that apparently enormously extended life expectancy in numerous studies, worldwide. A study in Burgundy France found the longevity of residents was 46% longer, in spite of a diet that consumed fats and other proven poor foods.  It was first believed that the resveratrol in the red wine grape skins, especially abundant in Burgundy, was the reason. There is more to it than that.

There is a flurry of current research that is investigating why this phenomenon of increased longevity is occurring. Harvard University, Mayo Clinic, UCLA Medical and many others are astonished by the powerful effect on life spans. There appears to be three main reasons that explain why grape skins are so effective in extending longevity.  They contain: 1. Resveratrol, 2. pterostilbene, and 3. powerful gene stimulation.

Resveratrol apparently causes stimulation of the longevity gene, SIRT1.  Pterostilbene lowers cholesterol, triglycerides, helps lower excess glucose, is anti-fungal and counteracts a substance called cytochrome P450. This latter is an enzyme that promotes disease when free radical oxidants are present.  Both resveratrol and pterostilbene are powerful anti-oxidants that reduce oxidative damage that is harmful to your body’s cells.

Robb and others in their research of biochemistry and biophysics find there is a 14 fold increase in the activity of SOD2.  Why this is significant is because SOD2 greatly reduces inflammatory free radical damage in the body’s biochemistry.  Oxidative damage is reduced because electron deficient substances are not allowed to cause as much free radical damage and its accompanying inflammation.

With the exception of hereditary or genetic caused diseases, all degenerative diseases are caused by inflammation. Cancer, heart disease, arthritis, kidney, fibromyalgia, diabetes,  Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s  are major ones most people are familiar with.

Free radical damage causes oxidative damage which translates into inflammation and cellular DNA damage, producing degenerative diseases.

“We know that most degenerative diseases are limited to free radical damage.”… James Balch, M.D.  In 1954 Dr. Denham Harmon said this: “A single common process, modifiable by genetic and environmental factors, was responsible for ageing and death of all living things.” This is truer today because of the increased insults to your body and its genetic code. Disease is produced by damaged DNA and inflammation.

Heart disease is the number one killer in the Western world.  Supplements are becoming available that enormously reduce the risk of heart disease and other degenerative diseases.

The research worldwide in Poland, Japan, France, here in the USA and other places validates the remarkably powerful effect of the ingredients in the red skin of grapes.   Unfortunately, only small amounts of the powerful, longevity producing ingredients are in grape skins.  The good news is supplements are now becoming available that contain resveratrol and most recently pterostilbene…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

P.S. Send a friend to read this on my blog:  http://naturalhealthsecrets.ws (copy & paste the link into your email)

P.P.S.  Comments on this post are welcome.

Technorati Tags: anti oxidants, free radicals, pterostilbene, resveratrol

What is considered a good Mediterranean diet?  It consists of the following.

• Plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables
• Abundant olive oil
• Whole grains in breads and pasta
• Nuts in moderate or low amounts
• Less red meats, more fish
• Fish or seafood two times a week
• Regular red wine consumption in low to moderate amounts daily
• Regular exercise…like daily

What is the science behind the favorable results for the Mediterranean diet?  A good study of several thousand subjects was done at the University of Athens, Greece.  It found:

• More flexibility to arteries, believed due to increased nitric oxide and artery dilation.
• A high ratio of mono saturated to saturated lipids (this means more easily metabolized fats versus hard to metabolize trans fats.)
• Higher levels of essential minerals…magnesium, potassium and calcium.
• Natural antioxidants of fruits and vegetables…especially carotenes and specifically lycopene.
• Polyphenol (antioxidant) and omega 3 content  of olive oil.

While both meat and the cereal (probably wheat gluten) increased the oxidation and tendency for chronic inflammation, it was more than off set by the olive oil, nuts and fresh fruits and vegetables; these reduce oxidation and hence reduce inflammation. Inflammation is the mother of all heart disease and a major cause of hypertension.

Table salt (NaCl) is often implicated as a factor in high blood pressure; but the real issue is the ratio of potassium to sodium. Western diets are frequently deficient in potassium and magnesium.  Both of these minerals are extremely important to cardiovascular health.  The Mediterranean diet contains high levels of these two minerals as well as another important mineral to cardiovascular health, calcium.

Abundant fruits, vegetables and moderate amounts of nuts provide a good supply of these minerals. This would account for reducing the blood pressure, along with lowered arterial resistance due to the olive oil.  In addition, the abundance of polyphenols and antioxidants found in the Mediterranean diet quell  inflammation…the culprit in coronary heart disease and high blood pressure.

A Spanish study done on 9,408 male and female subjects from 1999 to 2005 found reduced blood pressure associated with the Mediterranean diet. The risk factors for increased blood pressure, especially the age factor, were adjusted so the net effect was reduced hypertension with the Mediterranean diet.

Another  little emphasized factor in the study at Athens and in Spain was that of the red wine connection. Typically these populations regularly drink red wine in the low amounts daily, even in childhood.  A flurry of recent research has shown the red wine contains resveratrol (available in supplement) which is a good antioxidant and dramatically improves longevity.

A study in Burgundy France was so startling it is called the “French paradox”. A study of the population there found a 46% increase in longevity, in spite of a lousy diet high in fats.  Subsequent studies  in lab animals have confirmed that indeed everything fed resveratrol lives longer in spite of a poor, high fat diet.  The red wine in Burgundy is especially high in resveratrol because of the harsh conditions there. The effectiveness  and power of resveratrol is emerging as being due to its anti-oxidative power and longevity gene stimulation of SIRT-1. (Note: Over indulgence in wine is counter-productive, supplemental resveratrol makes more sense.)

Resveratrol, and components of wine, demonstrated to Japanese researchers that laboratory rats fed wine compounds for 8 weeks were able to maintained healthy blood pressure…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

Technorati Tags: coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, hypertension, inflammation, Mediterranean diet, resveratrol

We are 5% of the worlds population but consume 50% of the prescription drugs.  Are drugs the answer? You do the math!

We cannot control what the more than 600 drug lobbyist and the deluge of enormous profits  that drug companies generate. We can, however, live more healthy lives and extend our longevity by understanding the cause of aging and disease.

Aging is due to deterioration of cellular health.  This is caused by free radical damage. What is free radical damage?  It is inflammation caused by foreign substances (even some drugs & man adulterated foods).  Toxins and pollutants are obvious foreign objects that tax your body and shorten your life.

How do free radicals cause damage? These foreign substances pollute your body chemistry.  They steal electrons from essential bio substances in your body. One of the primary ways cellular health is affected is within the mitochondria of the cell.

The mitochondria are the energy factories in every cell and they also have DNA  that is affected. Chromosomes that carry the genetic code of your cells get shortened with the onslaughts of free radicals.  This reduces the health of the cells and their assimilation of essential nutrients the body needs. Health degrades.

When you are young, there is optimal function and less accumulation of cellular damage caused by the free radicals. The body is efficient and able to handle some ill effects without  noticeable degradation. There is a build up of tissues, called anabolism.  With age, catabolism occurs…a net loss of cells and function.  Your body becomes less efficient.

The type of food you consume can be an asset or detriment. Excessive amounts of sugar, salt, trans fats and preserved foods compromise health.  The needed nutrients (enzymes, phytonutrients and vitamins) are lacking.  The body becomes less efficient in its operation and aging and declining health ensue.

Raw fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains are so essential.  Why? Heat destroys the majority of enzymes at 126 degrees Fahrenheit.  (There are over 3000 enzymes used by the body)  It does not end there.  Certain minerals, especially magnesium (used in over 325 chemical reactions of the body) are necessary to assimilate the needed nutrients.  Vitamins A, C and E are also anti oxidants that work best with whole foods.

Numerous studies demonstrate reduced cancer, heart disease (#1 killer) and all inflammatory diseases diminish when abundant (3 to 5 servings a day) of fresh fruits and vegetables  are consumed. Nuts and whole grains likewise provide essential and auxiliary  nutrients, catalysts and minerals.

Other phytonutrients (from plants) in the form of flavenoids (sources of color there) are needed also. There is reportedly over 4000 flavenoids which are antioxidants that are believed to neutralized these inflammatory free radicals.  They come from fresh, raw fruits and vegetables.  Many have not been researched, but those that have, prove to be real allies to health and longivety.  They reduce free radical damage and health degeneration.

In summary what extends longevity?

1. Reduce sugar consumption (reports vary…from 136 to 157 pounds per person per year)  It is in every prepared food and beverage. It is a risk factor in heart disease, cancer and diabetes…leading killers.
2. Reduce salt (sodium) and increase potassium. (Excess sodium is associated with high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease)  The balance should favor potassium but is usually the opposite.  (Sodium is in virtually all prepared foods)
3. Reduce toxic exposures, like smoking (A high risk factor in heart disease and cancer)
4. Get adequate essential nutrients and vitamins. (with age more are needed because of a less efficient body) Take a quality multiple vitamin as you get older.
5. Take proven supplements: D-ribose,  L-Carnitine and CoQ-10 for energy and heart health.
6. Consume raw fresh fruits and vegetables that provide phytonutrients, enzymes, minerals  & flavenoids
7. Take  in essential fatty acids ( Omega 3’s ) from supplements like flax oil or deep sea fish oils.
8. Add resveratrol supplement that stimulates the longevity gene and is an anti oxidant.
9. Perform exercise and good weight control. (obesity is a high risk factor in many diseases and statistically shortens longevity)

Technorati Tags: aging, anti oxidants, free radicals, longevity, resveratrol, supplements, vitamins

Much current research is now being done.  Preliminary studies show two areas of why longevity is extended. The first is believed due to the activity of the longevity gene, SIRT1; it is stimulated and activated.  The second is co-related to oxidative damage…the mother of all degenerative diseases.

Robb and others in their research on the biochemistry and biophysics (published in that journal) found a 14 fold increase in the activity of MnSOD (SOD2). The significance of this is that it reduces oxidative damage due to free radicals. (loose electrons).  This inhibits heart disease,  cancer and all the other inflammatory, degenerative diseases that shorten your life.

SOD2 confers resistance to mitochondrial dysfunction and thereby directly helps heart strength. The mitochondria are the energy factories in all cells. The heart muscle needs at least 4 to 5 times the amount of energy that other cells need.  Heart failure is reduced (theoretically) as well as definitely reducing the inflammatory effect of the free radicals.

Heart failure, due to lack of energy from the mitochondria, plus inflammatory atherosclerosis, are the primary factors in heart disease.   Resveratrol enormously reduces heart disease. Resveratrol is the most plausible reason for increased life expectancy.  (It  inhibits  other degenerative diseases,  thereby also extending longevity)

In animal studies, mice fed unhealthy fats and free radical damaging diets, confirm that indeed oxidative damage was reduced by resveratrol and life expectancy was increased. In other words, in spite of a lousy diet with exposure to free radicals, the resveratrol supplemented mice lived longer and had more physical endurance.

All degenerative diseases benefit from the reduction of free radicals; they are paramount to all degenerative diseases. A heart healthy diet and good supplements make sense for staying healthy and living longer…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

Technorati Tags: coronary heart disease, degenerative diseases, free radical damage, heart disease, longevity, oxidative damage, resveratrol

Harvard researches have discovered that damaging high caloric, trans fat loaded diets, are even counteracted by resveratrol. This powerful effect may explain why research shows that resveratrol supports the heart, and blood pressure as well as being a potent immune system builder…thus extending life.

Reckless consumption of trans-fats and alcohol is not recommended if you are concerned about coronary heart disease and health in general. On the other hand, consumption of one or two drinks of red wines (containing resveratrol) each day appears to have merit.  The Sardinians (Italy) and Burgandy  residents of France have greater longevity than most of the world.  They consume red wine (in moderate amounts) from childhood.

Resveratrol appears to be the factor for longer life. It can also be obtained in supplemental form.  I am not aware of long term studies that prove the supplement provides the same benefits but I would be surprised if it did not…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

Technorati Tags: coronary heart disease, resveratrol