Resveratrol - What is it & How to use

Resveratrol might expand blood vessels and reduce the activity of cells important in blood clotting. Some research suggests that resveratrol has weak estrogen (a female hormone) effects. It may also decrease pain and swelling (inflammation). Resveratrol might reduce levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood and help the body fight against disease. It might also prevent proteins in the brain from sticking together to help prevent diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Effectiveness

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.

The effectiveness ratings for RESVERATROL are as follows:

Possibly effective for…

Diabetes. Taking 250-1000 mg of resveratrol daily for up to 3 months appears to help control blood sugar levels and improve how well insulin works in people with type 2 diabetes. Lower doses of 5 mg twice daily for 4 weeks might also improve how well insulin works. Resveratrol does not seem to affect blood sugar levels or how well insulin works in people without diabetes.

Possibly ineffective for…

Heart disease. People who consume higher amounts of dietary resveratrol do not seem to have a lower risk of heart disease compared to people who consume lower amounts. Also, taking resveratrol by mouth does not seem to improve levels of cholesterol or blood fats called triglycerides in people at risk for heart disease. One early study shows that taking 10 mg of resveratrol daily for 3 months may improve how well the heart pumps blood in people with a history of heart attack and evidence of damaged heart blood vessels. However, the improvement is small, and resveratrol doesn’t improve blood pressure or blood thickness in people with this condition.

Insufficient evidence to rate effectiveness for…

Acne. Early research shows that applying a gel containing resveratrol to the face for 60 days reduces the severity of acne.
Seasonal allergies (hay fever). . Early research shows that using a nasal spray containing resveratrol and beta-glucan three times daily for 2 months reduces runny nose and sneezing in young children and adolescents with pollen allergy.
Cancer. People who consume higher amounts of dietary resveratrol do not seem to have a lower risk of cancer compared to people who consume lower amounts.
Lung disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD). Early research suggests that taking a combination product containing resveratrol, vitamin C, zinc, and flavonoids slightly reduces coughing and mucus production in people with COPD. But it’s not clear if the benefit is due to resveratrol or other ingredients.
Metabolic syndrome. Early research suggests that taking resveratrol helps to reduce body fat in people with metabolic syndrome. However, taking resveratrol does not help to lower blood pressure or levels of cholesterol or blood sugar.
Fatty liver disease not related to alcohol (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; NAFLD). One early study shows that taking 3000 mg of resveratrol daily for 8 weeks does not improve liver function or reduce fat buildup in the liver in overweight or obese men with NAFLD. However, taking 500 mg of resveratrol daily for 12 weeks while also dieting and exercising reduces fat buildup in the liver and improves liver function in people with NAFLD.
Aging of the skin.
“Hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis)..
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate resveratrol for these uses.

Dose

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

ADULTS

BY MOUTH:

For diabetes: 250-1000 mg daily for up to 3 months.

Safety Concerns

Resveratrol is LIKELY SAFE
when used in the amounts found in foods. Resveratrol is POSSIBLY SAFE
when applied to the skin for up to 30 days or when taken by mouth in doses up to 1500 mg daily for up to 3 months. Higher doses of up to 3000 mg have been taken by mouth safely for up to 8 weeks.

In children, resveratrol is POSSIBLY SAFE
when sprayed in the nostrils for up to 2 months.

Special precautions & warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Resveratrol is LIKELY SAFE when used in amounts found in some foods. However, during pregnancy and breast-feeding, the source of resveratrol is important. Resveratrol is found in grape skins, grape juice, wine, and other food sources. Wine should not be used as a source of resveratrol during pregnancy and breast-feeding.

Bleeding disorders: Resveratrol might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.

Hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Resveratrol might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don”t use resveratrol.

Surgery: Resveratrol might increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using resveratrol at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interaction with medication

Moderate

Be cautious with this combination.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) substrates)

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Resveratrol might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. In theory, taking resveratrol along with some medications that are broken down by the liver may increase the effects and side effects of some medications.

Some medications changed by the liver include chlorzoxazone, theophylline, and bufuralol.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates)

Some medications changed by the liver include clozapine (Clozaril), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), fluvoxamine (Luvox), haloperidol (Haldol), imipramine (Tofranil), mexiletine (Mexitil), olanzapine (Zyprexa), pentazocine (Talwin), propranolol (Inderal), tacrine (Cognex), zileuton (Zyflo), zolmitriptan (Zomig), and others.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) substrates)

Some medications changed by the liver include theophylline, omeprazole, clozapine, progesterone, lansoprazole, flutamide, oxaliplatin, erlotinib, and caffeine.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) substrates)

Some medications changed by the liver include amitriptyline (Elavil), carisoprodol (Soma), citalopram (Celexa), diazepam (Valium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), phenytoin (Dilantin), warfarin, and many others.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) substrates)

Some medications changed by the liver include acetaminophen, chlorzoxazone (Parafon Forte), ethanol, theophylline, and anesthetics such as enflurane (Ethrane), halothane (Fluothane), isoflurane (Forane), methoxyflurane (Penthrane).

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates)

Some medications changed by the liver include some calcium channel blockers (diltiazem, nicardipine, verapamil), chemotherapeutic agents (etoposide, paclitaxel, vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine), antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole), glucocorticoids, alfentanil (Alfenta), cisapride (Propulsid), fentanyl (Sublimaze), lidocaine (Xylocaine), losartan (Cozaar), fexofenadine (Allegra), midazolam (Versed), and otherslovastatin (Mevacor), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), fexofenadine (Allegra), triazolam (Halcion), and many others.

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)

Resveratrol might slow blood clotting. Taking resveratrol along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.

Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

* The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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