What do you nuggas think about Resveratrol (found in Red Wine)?
* The New York Times has reported that a class of chemicals that could make humans live longer, known as resveratrol, is found in red wines, especially those grown in cool climates. The finding is another clue in the puzzle of the French paradox, the fact that the French live as long as anyone else, despite the consumption of food thought to be bad for the heart.
According to the report, the chemical mimics the effect of a very low-calorie diet, which is known to help rodents live longer. The report said that human life spans could be increased by 30% if humans respond to the chemical the way rats and mice do to a low-calorie diet.
Resveratrol is synthesized by plants in response to stress, like a lack of nutrients, a fungal infection or cool temperatures. It exists in the skin of both red and white grapes but is found in amounts 10 times higher in red wine because of differences in the manufacturing processes. Besides resveratrol, another class of chemical found to mimic caloric restriction is that of the flavones, found abundantly in olive oil.
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Red wine contains an ingredient called resveratrol that, in the lab, caused cancer cells to die off in an early stage of the cancer process, report doctors from the Lineberger Cancer Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina (Cancer Research, 7/00).
Earlier studies indicate that the same substance may also protect against heart disease. In addition to red grapes, other foods high in resveratrol include raspberries, peanuts, and mulberries.
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In a series of laboratory experiments, they discovered that certain types of molecules, called polyphenols, could extend the life of yeast by 70 per cent. These polyphenols are found in foods such as red wine, olive oil, fruits and vegetables. On further investigation it was found that the most potent polyphenol was resveratrol - found in red wine - which helped yeast cells live as much as 60-80 per cent longer. Quercetin, another polyphenol, found in olive oil, had a similar effect.
Polyphenols are already recognised as having antioxidant benefits and as being helpful in the battle against illnesses such as heart disease and cancer, but the new study adds to this knowledge and suggests that certain ones could have additional properties.
When yeast and laboratory worms are fed a restricted calorie diet, their speed of ageing is slowed and they have extended lifespans. It has been found that restricting their diet increases the activity of a certain family of enzymes called sirtuins. The researchers say that polyphenols appear to stimulate these sirtuin enzymes and extend the organism's lifespan. Their experiments showed that 17 molecules stimulated a human sirtuin called SIRT1 and a yeast sirtuin called Sir2.
"We think sirtuins buy cells time to repair damage," said molecular biologist David Sinclair, assistant professor of pathology at Harvard Medical School. "There is a growing realisation from the ageing field that blocking cell death - as long as it doesn't lead to cancer - extends life span."
His co-author, Konrad Howitz, director of molecular biology at BIOMOL, said,"The sirtuin stimulation provided by certain, but not all, polyphenols may be a far more important biological effect than their antioxidant effect."
Other species, such as mammals, are already known to live longer when their calorie intake is restricted. The researchers theory is that plant polyphenols may increase in response to stressful conditions and stimulate sirtuins in a bid for survival - a hypothesis they term xenohormesis.
"The sirtuin enzymes are found in almost every species, including plants, fungi and humans," explained Dr. Sinclair. "Their role seems to be to protect cells from damage and keep them alive, which results in less disease and longer life."
"Humans have seven sirtuins (SIRT 1-7) and the hope is that they also function to protect our cells and prevent disease. But it is too early to say for sure. At the very least, the study suggests a new line of research that may eventually lead to a major advance in medicine."
Although resveratrol was the most effective, Dr. Sinclair says quercetin, which is found in foods such as onions, apples, tea, berries, olives, broccoli and lettuce, is also promising. "The molecule seems to have many health benefits in lowering cholesterol, preventing blood cells from sticking together similarly to aspirin, and suppressing cancer in rodents," he explained.
"Although there is still a long way to go from simple organisms to humans, this study has brought the possibility of delaying age-related diseases with a pill to a point where we can say, as scientists, it is a real possibility. The discovery points to a new line of research into drugs that could one day make people significantly healthier in their old age," he said.
He was keen to emphasise that any work would focus on improving health, not manipulating genetics. "We will only make people live longer by making them healthier. We are mimicking calorie restriction which, in rats and monkeys, slows diseases of old age, including heart disease, osteoporosis and cancer," he said.
The next stage is to start testing on mice. If that proves successful and the mice do live longer, then Dr. Sinclair says he anticipates, "starting human trials sometime shortly thereafter."
"These findings are interesting and may help us to understand the health benefits of particular types of food. However further research is needed before we know to what extent they can be applied to humans."
Dr Rebecca Small,
associate medical director
BUPA Group
What does this mean?
Commenting on the findings, Dr. Hannah Theobald, a nutrition scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation said, "A lot more research needs to be conducted before these findings can be translated to humans, but it is an exciting finding."
"Polyphenols are produced by plants in response to attack by viruses, fungi and bacteria," she explained. "They exhibit antioxidant properties and may help protect against some cancers and heart disease. Resveratrol is found in red wine, red grape juice and peanuts, while flavones are found in olive oil."
One of the aspects highlighted by the research, and perhaps the factor most applicable to people today, is that it adds to the idea of consuming a Mediterranean-style diet - which tends to be rich in olive oil, red wine and fresh fruits and vegetables.
"There is a plethora of research suggesting that Mediterranean-type diets are associated with lower rates of chronic disease, such as cardiovascular disease and certain cancers," said Hannah. "This research adds further weight to this and offers a new potential mechanism whereby diets rich in olive oil, fruits and vegetables, cereals, grains and moderate amounts of wine may offer protection and increase longevity."
Similarly, Belinda Linden, head of medical information at the British Heart Foundation, said, "Mediterranean diets can be healthy as they include a high level of fruit and vegetables and we also know that moderate alcohol consumption (1-2 units per day) may have a protective effect against coronary heart disease."
However, she warned, "We also need to keep in mind that, while it is nice to enjoy a drink on occasions, too much alcohol can have an adverse affect on the heart."
Amanda Wynne, spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association, said, "It will be interesting to see more research in this area, especially on humans."
A C T I O N P O I N T S
Aim for a healthy lifestyle, with a balanced nutritious diet and plenty of exercise.
Enjoy alcohol, such as red wine, on occasions, but avoid drinking too regularly or binge drinking.
Avoid taking supplements where possible, and instead aim to obtain essential nutrients from a healthy diet.
What does this mean to me?
With no quick-fix anti-ageing pill available and no guarantees that one will become available in the future, preparing for old age and limiting the risks of related illnesses largely comes down to looking after your health.
"There is good evidence that a diet based on lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grain cereals is conducive to good health and will reduce the risk of developing cancer and heart disease in the longer term," explained Amanda Wynne.
"Light to moderate consumption of wine does confer to some protective effect against diseases such as coronary heart disease," she added. "Advice is, however, to keep within the sensible drinking guidelines, so no more than 2-3 units a day for women and no more than 3-4 units a day for men. Have some drink-free days too, and avoid binge drinking."
Although some supplements containing resveratrol and quercetin are available, "at the current time we cannot recommend taking supplements as there is no evidence that these will be effective or safe," advises Amanda. "Dietary strategies are definitely the best approach."
Summary
The American longevity research is certainly proving interesting, but as it's still in its early stages much more research is needed before it will be clear whether or not this can be applied to humans. In the meantime, it does highlight the benefits of a Mediterranean-style diet - something that can be applied to life today.
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