Resveratrol - Cardiovascular Protection and Capillary Strength

Adobe Resveratrol PDF file Click to return from Resveratrol Click to return from Resveratrol To view all JARROW Products go here:

• Protects Circulation and Heart Function by Reducing LDL Oxidation • Inhibits the Premature Oxidation of Vitamin C and Spares the Vitamin for Its Roles in Promoting Capillary Health • A Synergistic Blend of Potent Natural Antioxidants and Free Radical Scavengers • Combines the Active Compounds of Green Tea, Grape Skin and Grape Seed

Resveratrol: Another Secret of Red Wine

Although ethanol (alcohol) from any source in small amounts is known to increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL, the “good” cholesterol) levels, the preponderance of the heart-protective effect of wine comes from the pigments found in the skin of dark grapes. Red wine, depending upon processing, tends to be particularly rich in such pigments, which are liberated during fermentation. One of the most important of the compounds liberated from the grape skins is Resveratrol (3,4,5-trihydroxystilbene), which is mentioned routinely in the scientific literature. It originally was researched by the Japanese as a weight-loss product that clears fats from the liver. The compound is formed in the leaves and skins of grapes to combat disease, especially fungal attack. Treatment with fungicides dramatically reduces Resveratrol production by the grape itself, this coupled with the treatment of wines to reduce the astringent tannin content, as is done with much commercially produced wine at large vintners, which also eliminates most of the protective effect derived from wine.

Populations which regularly consume red wine are noted for longevity and general good health. This healthpromoting effect is sometimes referred to as the “French Paradox” because the French consume large amounts of saturated fats and yet exhibit low rates of heart disease. In fact, red wine consumption and superior health is true for much of Mediterranean Europe. Along with Resveratrol, red wine also contains catechins, anthocyanins (from the skin) and proanthocyanins (from the grape seeds). Therefore, synergy found in Jarrow FORMULAS® Resveratrol Synergy is a natural one.

Jarrow FORMULAS® has used especially rich sources of Resveratrol, catechins, anthocyanins and proanthocyanins to create a concentrated supplement designed to provide the cardiovascular and capillary protection found with red wine. Resveratrol is extracted from the Chinese herb Huzhang (Polygonum cuspidatum, “tiger cane”) root, catechins are derived from green tea extract, anthocyanins from grape skin extract, and proanthocyanins from grape seed extract. To these are added vitamin C, the compound used by the body to support the production of collagen and the structures made from it. All of these compounds are powerful antioxidants and free radical scavengers, as well.

Phytoestrogens Shine

Classified as a phytoestrogen, Resveratrol significantly enhances endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation in response to acetylcholine in some animal models. Similarly, this phenolic compound influences bone strength in these models. Phytoestrogens exhibit numerous other beneficial physiological effects.

Just as interesting is the inhibitory impact of Resveratrol upon a number of environmental toxins. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands are environmental contaminants found at high levels in cigarette smoke. They also are present in many other sources of air pollution. The prototypical compound is known as dioxin. There is an increasing body of knowledge which links cigarette smoke to osteoporosis and to periodontal disease, although the direct effects of smoke-associated aryl hydrocarbons on bone are not well understood. Resveratrol is a pure antagonist to aryl hydrocarbons and this suggests that the compound may prove to be protective against certain classes of toxins that are now common in the environment.

Cardiovascular Protection

As already noted, population studies suggest that the consumption of wine, particularly of red wine, promotes cardiovascular health. The cardioprotective effect is normally attributed to antioxidants present in the polyphenolic fraction of red wine. Grapes contain a variety of antioxidants, including Resveratrol, catechins, anthocyanins and proanthocyanins. Investigations have shown that all of these red wine polyphenolic antioxidants play roles in cardioprotection.

A great deal of research has gone into finding the mechanisms by which polyphenolic compounds protect the cardiovascular system. At least in part, such protection may be attributed to their ability to directly scavenge peroxyl and hydroxyl radicals and to reduce oxidative stress. These actions, among other things, protect low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the “bad” cholesterol, from damage. It should be emphasized that these compounds work by different mechanisms and therefore, arguably work best in combination. In published research, Resveratrol was more effective than flavonoids as a chelator of copper ions – generators of free radicals – and less effective as a free-radical scavenger than some of the other grape components. Besides the inhibition of LDL oxidation (a contributor to cardiovascular disease), exposure to wine/Resveratrol appears to modulate vascular cell functions. In “Effects of de-alcoholated red wine and its phenolic fractions on platelete aggregation” (Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2001 Feb;11(1):25-9), researchers examine the impact on blood clotting.

Very recent research into cardiovascular health has suggested yet another culprit: inflammation, perhaps from bacterial attack. Surprisingly, anthocyanins and proanthocyanins (also known as “tanins”) can affect bacteria and viruses. One such case is discussed in “Antibacterial activity of hydrolyzable tannins derived from medicinal plants against Helicobacter pylori,” (Microbiol Immunol. 2004;48(4)251-61).

A Synergistic Supporting Cast

One of the primary benefits of Resveratrol and proanthocyanins is the protection of vitamin C against premature oxidation, especially by copper and other metal ions found in the blood and tissues. Therefore, it makes good sense to include vitamin C along with its protectors. Broader protection comes from the inclusion of a concentrated green tea extract for its variety of catechins, grape skin extract for anthocyanins and grape seed extract for OPC (oligomeric proanthocyanidins, 95% polyphenols).

This means that five of the world’s best researched antioxidants can now be found together in one supplement...Jarrow FORMULAS® Resveratrol Synergy.

Usage And Safety

As a dietary supplement, take 1 to 2 tablets per day with food or juice, or as directed by your qualified health care consultant.

Selected References

Calabrese G. Nonalcoholic compounds of wine: the phytoestrogen Resveratrol and moderate red wine
consumption during menopause. Drugs Exp Clin Res 1999;25(2-3):111-4.
Creasy LL, Swain T. Structure of condensed tannins. Nature. 1965 Oct 9;208(6):151-3.
De Bruyne T, et al. Biological evaluation of proanthocyanidin dimers and related polyphenols. J Nat
Prod 1999 Jul;62(7):954-8.
Fremont L, et al. Antioxidant activity of Resveratrol and alcohol-free wine polyphenols related to LDL
oxidation and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Life Sci 1999;64(26):2511-21.
Funatogawa K, et al. Antibacterial activity of hydrolyzable tannins derived from medicinal plants
against Helicobacter pylori. Microbiol Immunol. 2004;48(4):251-61.
Graham, H. N. Green Tea Composition, Consumption, and Polyphenol Chemistry. Preventive
Medicine 1992, 21(3): 334-350.
Gu X, et al. Capillary electrophoretic determination of Resveratrol in wines. J Agric Food Chem. 1999
Aug;47(8):3223-7.
Konowalchuk J, Speirs JI. Virus inactivation by grapes and wines. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1976
Dec;32(6):757-63.
Mizutani K, et al. Resveratrol attenuates ovariectomy-induced hypertension and bone loss in strokeprone
spontaneously hypertensive rats. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 2000 Apr;46(2):78-83.
usso P, et al. Effects of de-alcoholated red wine and its phenolic fractions on platelet aggregation.
Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2001 Feb;11(1):25-9.
Sagesaka-Mitane, Y. et al. Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors in Hot Water Extract of Green Tea.
Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin 1990, 38(3): 790-793.
Singh SU, et al. Inhibition of dioxin effects on bone formation in vitro by a newly described aryl
hydrocarbon receptor antagonist, Resveratrol. J Endocrinol 2000 Oct;167(1):183-195.

Source: Jarrow Formulas