More evidence that resveratrol protects our brain and lowers diabetic markers

Resveratrol, a  phytochermical found in red wine, blueberries, dark chocolate and red grapes, is a popular supplement to take these days. It has a broad range of medicinal effects on the body with claims of anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and neuro-protective properties. Such claims stack up against  many in-vivo and in-vitro studies that demonstrate these properties.

In this recent published study of postischemic mice  (see abstract 1 for the science) the mice treated with resveratrol had less brain damage following a ischemic stroke. Inflammation was also lower in visceral fat tissue and the visceral fat cells had reduced in size.

Another study published this year measured the effect of resveratrol  on out-of-range / unhealthy metabolic markers. The study reported “The data showed that a higher dose of resvervatrol supplementation significantly lowered the concentration of glucose, plasma total cholesterol, total triglyceride concentrations, and hepatic cholesterol in high-fat-diet-fed mice”. (Yu et al, 2016. Resveratrol treatment improves plasma and blood glucose concentration and lipid metabolism in high-fat-fed C57BL/6J mice. 10.1007/s00217-016-2684-2. )

If you are considering taking resveratrol then that could be a good thing. However do you know the correct daily dose for your condition? Do you know this is all your need ? and are you doing this instead making necessary lifestyle changes?

There are no panaceas in nutrition or medicine and it is a foolhardy to self-prescribe supplements if you have a chronically diagnosed condition.  You could be wasting your money and not getting the results you expect. Always consult an appropriately qualified practitioner before taking supplements.

Abstract 1

Resveratrol is known to improve metabolic dysfunction associated with obesity. Visceral obesity is a sign of aging and is considered a risk factor for ischemic stroke. In this study, we investigated the effects of resveratrol on inflammation in visceral adipose tissue and the brain and its effects on ischemic brain injury in aged female mice. Mice treated with resveratrol (0.1 mg/kg, p.o.) for 10 days showed reduced levels of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α, as well as a reduction in the size of adipocytes in visceral adipose tissue. Resveratrol also reduced interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α protein levels and immunoglobulin G extravasation in the brain. Mice treated with resveratrol demonstrated smaller infarct size, improved neurological function, and blunted peripheral inflammation at 3 days postischemic stroke. These results showed that resveratrol counteracted inflammation in visceral adipose tissue and in the brain and reduced stroke-induced brain injury and peripheral inflammation in aged female mice. Therefore, resveratrol administration can be a valuable strategy for the prevention of age-associated and disease-provoked inflammation in postmenopausal women.

Comment about study: It is shocking to think that ischemic strokes were induced in mice in this study. But this is typical of the kind of experiments carried out to learn more about the effects of substances on our bodies. Perhaps if we lived in a civilisation without obesity , type II diabetes  and hypertension we wouldn’t have to conduct so many brutal animal experiments to find new medicine. There is something ironic about finding medicine to treat preventable diseases that are in the most attributed to our culture and the life style choices it makes available to us.