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Resveratrol is what we call in a natural vitamin or natural ingredient.  When we refer to a natural vitamin we define it as a vitamin, mineral, amino acid, probiotic, enzyme, antioxidant, phytonutrient, glyconutrient, or adaptogenic.    Resveratrol is derived naturally from red wine grapes,  peanuts, or other plants.  In the supplement market more people offer polygonum cuspidatum as a resveratrol product than any, although we at Natural Biology believe this is a wrong assertion.

Why Polygonum Cuspidatum or Japanese Knot Root is a Poor Resveratrol

• There are no studies using polygonum cuspidatum that verify what internet hype says.
• All polygonum cuspidatum comes from China and the purity is suspect.
• Resveratrol has a low uptake in the human body and polygonum cuspidatum has not been proven to improve uptake .

What the Drug Companies are Trying to Do with Resveratrol

The active ingredient in resveratrol is trans-resveratrol. In a good source of resveratrol rich red wine there are about 2mg of trans-resveratrol per 600ml of wine (pint).   To get a full clinical dosage of resveratrol one would need approx. 1000 bottles of resveratrol rich wine.   Drug companies are trying to figure a delivery mechanism to deliver this amount.  The problems are enormous.  One, resveratrol tends to be like vapor once it enters the human body.   Some internet companies address this by saying they nitrogen pack their capsules.  First of all, no one nitrogen packs capsules.   So that is a lie.  Secondly, it would not matter.  This in no way would really help, it might if possible, increase the efficiency less than 1%.   When using a natural ingredient the  more important aspect is how the natural ingredient is processed and how fresh it is.  This ultimately determines the active ingredient, plus what synergy is required to deliver it.  In other words, what other properties need to be present to deliver the active ingredient.

First of all, in the natural world, we will never be able to provide a resveratrol supplement that delivers 1000 bottles of red wine efficiently.  It is simply impossible.   The problem with the supposedly pure levels of 99% and 98% resveratrol is once it hits the stomach acid most of it never makes it to the intestines and the blood stream.   There is no mechanism to deliver it.  This is why some companies have experimented with quercetin as a delivery agent and there has been a modest uptake when combined, but nothing to substantiate serious use of either ingredients.    Equally important, polygonum cuspidatum is processed in China and some of it does not pass the purity test – and may contain unhealthy residues from extraction methods used in China.

Therefore, to effectively deliver resveratrol, or trans-resveratrol, the ultimate solution will be a synthetic form.  Until then, and even when this does happen, at Natural Biology we believe and we believe the research validates this,  French Red Wine Grape Extract yielding no less than 5% trans-resveratrol is the only viable resveratrol solution.   We have begun to analysis of Pterostilbene which in a synthetic form can deliver 10-20 times the efficacy of our French red wine grape extract; however, the current cost is 5-8 times more which makes it almost prohibitive, but expect those cost to come down soon.   At Natural Biology we are faced with a decision, should we offer the first synthetic ingredient we have ever offered?  Resveratrol, we believe, is perhaps the most significant discovery in natural ingredient history because of its promise, and if a synthetic version can provide the ultimate benefit, then we might be forced to combine it with our natural solution.   The verdict is still out, but we think this decision might occur in 2011.  Our analysis is currently in progress.   Meanwhile, Vintage Resveratrol 100% is the best alternative to resveratrol in a natural form, and soon we might have a synthetic choice.

In our world or natural vitamins, this is huge to even consider a synthetic since we go to great lengths to avoid them in all other instances.   Natural Biology’s products are free of gluten, wheat, egg, lactose, tree nuts, soy, toxins, preservative, dyes, and pcbs.

“Microencapsulation of resveratrol may prolong the release of the compound and improve it’s absorption, claims a new study from China.

It comes most commonly in 10%, 30%, 50%, 80%, and 98% extract strengths.  What does this mean?  The active ingredient in resveratrol is trans resveratrol.   When a plant extract yields 50% this means 50% of the extract is trans resveratrol.  From a purely trans resveratrol perspective polygonum cuspidatum is one of the most affordable sources of trans resveatrol.   98% is extremely expensive and from some of the prices we have seen on the internet I believe those companies which are not well-established are cutting the 98% with something because while their prices are high they are often not covering what it would cost to make the product.   So be careful.  Any material under 50% has other by-products like emodium which in and of themselves can be harmful.

If a label states Resveratrol (polygonum cuspidatum) but fails to indicate the strength or purity – then it is always 10% or less – and this is not good.  Stay away!  Natural Biology works with a few companies who are high quality processors and in the near future, later in 2010 we believe there might be a reliable source of polygonum cuspidatum above the 50% value.   We would never stop offering French Red Grape Wine Extract yielding no less than 5% resveratrol because we support the research that shows this form of resveratrol works exponentially better because of some synergy between the grape and the trans resveratrol.   Just the same, we would consider using the polygonum cuspidatum to spike up the trans resveratrol in French Red Wine Grape Extract – but only in modest amounts.  The problem with trans resveratrol is cost and waste.  Trans resveratrol is utilized by the body quickly.  Taking too much at one time simply is wasting it.  The body simply will not retain it.  Therefore, the best way is to take a supplement yielding 25mg of trans resveratrol multiple times through out the day rather than taking say 500mg of 98% polygonum cuspidatum – you just paid for 95% more trans resveratrol than you can utilize.    In my 7 years of experience in working with resveratrol I still believe French Red Wine Grape Extract is the best source and our company Natural Biology will stay committed to this course until research proves otherwise.

When a group of human beings consumed a similiar diet, their blood markers of aging (excess glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL) plummeted to much lower levels.   Guess what, resveratrol may provide the same benefits as calorie restriction because it stimulates the identical gene calorie restriction does.   This is the promise of resveratrol for longevity.  

Let’s talk about dietary fats.  That said, one thing to keep in mind.  Foods eaten must be broken down by the digestive system before they are absorbed into the bloodstream.   Dietary fats must be broken down with the enzyme lipase in the stomach and small intestines.  Taking approx.  120mg of lipase with a meal helps reduce dietary fat absorption by 30%.    Green and black tea polyphonels also inhibit lipase, thus allowing us to eat more dietary fat without absorbing it. 

Most western diets contain too many carbohydrates.   Again, one can take digestive enzymes to help break-them down and reduce the effects upon your health.  Natural Biology is a big believer in digestive enzymes.    We think taking digestive enzymes with resveratrol is a really good idea.   Th  items we recommend for good gene expression are:

Enzyme Complex – a comprehensive digestive enzyme array

Vintage Resveratrol 100% – the most effective resveratrol supplemennt on the market today

OxyAGE:  contains the great components of Alpha Lipoic Acid and Acetyl-l-Carnitine as well as a wealth of MSM, Ellagic Acid, and Berry Antioxidants

The Best Resveratrol is not red wine extract or polygonum cuspidatum but something most internet companies selling resveratrol do not know!

1.  Polygonum Cuspidatum commonly referred to as Japanese Knot Root; however, it all comes from China.  It is cheap and therefore you can extract various strengths from 1% to 98%.  The problem with the material is it comes from China which has a bad reputation for residue free materials.   For example, poloygonum cuspidatum below 50% is full of emodium and this is unhealthy.   The same companies who offer the 10% for example offer the 50% or 98%.   This type of logic is like doing business with a liar.  Well, he lied to me twice but told the truth once, so I think just because they sell 10% I’ll trust them for the 98%.  Our experience says do not because our lab test on the material are all over the place and we deem it currently as an unreliable source.

2.  Red wine extract is another source; however, not all red wine extracts contain resveratrol.  In fact, most red wine extracts do not contain resveratrol.   Red wine extract is actually extracted from unused red wine and if unused, well, it most likely is not high quality red wine.

3.  French Red Wine Grape Extract is currently the only reliable source of resveratrol yielding no less than 5% trans resveratrol.  Trans resveratrol is the active ingredient in resveratrol you are looking for.   It is not actually red wine extract but it is extracted from the grapes used to make red wine in FRANCE – the number one place in the world for wine grapes that yield the highest resveratrol content.  Natural Biology has been in the resveratrol business for over 8 years and all resveratrol is naturally occurring.   Resveratrol is not a drug, but an active ingredient in plants that contain resveratrol.   It has amazing health giving abilities and we include it as one of our top 5 ingredients only if it is from the French Red Wine Grape Extract with no less than 5% trans resveratrol yield – and is verified by a Certificate of Analysis from a reliable processing lab.

What to Pay: Do not pay over $30 per month for resveratrol.  It is an expensive ingredient per kilo, but any company selling over $30 per bottle on the internet or under $15 should be viewed as suspect for quality.

We are drowning in information and getting very little right on the internet when it comes to supplements – and in particular Resveratrol, trans resveratrol, polygonum cuspidatum, and red wine extracts.  There is definitely a need for balance and fair reporting of the facts.   There is problem with supplements because they get caught in between multiple disciplines, and this is particularly true with Resveratrol.   It looks like most people who write about Resveratrol rewrite Wilkepedia’s definitions and then add some color and flare – strange bed fellows that make information unreliable.

For example, traditional Chinese medicine at the very core is treatment using herbs and roots primarily.   While some ingredients are common in everyday life, most are used to treat specific disorders.  The concept of taking daily supplements to improve health is alien to the Chinese model.   The model brings us a lot of good history and proves certain natural compounds work, even if we don’t fully understand why.  Just the same, if I am sick, overall I do not want to be treated by Chinese medicine.   If my American doctor cannot help me, then maybe.  This is not a dig at the Chinese medicine model, it’s just I want a more controlled approach to disease for myself and my family.

In the American history of medicine, our culture is extremely advanced in using surgery and drugs to treat disease, but of equal importance, our western medicine is far more advanced in making pin-point prognosis.   (Unlike the Chinese model however, we often treat the disease at the expense of the person and this seems to be evolving in the new discussion of holistic medicine which is an integrated approach and the one I support.)   This insures, right or wrong, you treat the right thing.  Starting here means all  the difference.  Too many nut jobs are running around the internet distorting facts and saying you need to take this and take that.   Often they are using pin-point herbs and natural ingredients that simply are not good for everyday life.  Nothing more accurately reflects this than the ephedra debate that resulted in the FDA banning its use in the USA.   Ephedra in 10mg wa effective for weight loss and asthma – and even energy; however, companies started selling formulations with 300mg or more, and because of bad information people were taking 10-20 servings of high ephedra capsules daily.  You would not take 400 aspirin a day and this was about the same comparison.

Another example, Bill O’Reily, the Fox News guy, took red rice yeast to treat his cholesterol and he said it damaged his liver.  Yes, it lowered his cholesterol at the expense of his liver.  Of course, Lipotor might have done the same.  That is why doctors test you frequently when you take statin drugs like Lipitor.

On the other side of the equation, let say that researchers compiled some impressive research for French Grape Seed Extract using 300mg per day, or 7 Keto DHEA at 200mg per day.   Both are very expensive per kilo.   Most supplement companies will make the claims but few will actually put what the research actually says.  You will see companies making all the claims of the full potency but putting one tenth the daily amount required.

So what has all of this to do with Resveratrol.  Actually it has a lot to do.   At Natural Biology the single most important part of any ingredient is the source and who is processing it.  Are they consistently reliable?  If they are, this usually means you might pay for the raw ingredients 5 or 6 times what the bulk of the market is paying but you are on the full side of quality – and this is a good place to be for your customers.   So it starts with quality and it ends with getting the serving size right.   Then we must ask ourselves why are we taking any supplement, including Resveratrol, in the the first place.  It is not meant to treat disease although it might help in the end to prevent one.  It is not used to treat heart conditions although it might be used to support a healthier cardiovascular system.

The question also bears what source should I be getting my reveratrol from.  We believe French red wine grape extract is the best.   Researchers  really do not know why but they believe there is something in the polyphenols and other antioxidant properties of grapes that makes the resveratrol work more efficiently.  Time will tell, but customer response is very loud when we hear from those who have tried to two major sources, either French red wine grape extract or polygonum cuspidatum, commonly referred to as Japanese knot root (ironically it all comes from China).

We suspect when more definitive data comes in that science will say something about the synergy of the grape to the resveratrol, which explains the increase benefits.  This might actually be an absorption issue.  We just don’t know at this time.  Here’s what we do know from other research.  ORAC which measures the strength of an antioxdant can be a decisive factor or not.  For example, certain antioxidants can test very well in the lab for ORAC but when introduced into the human experience, the benefit is low.  Likewise, antioxidants like Vitamin C can have a modest ORAC score but work exceedingly well in the human body.  

Certain companies process French red grape wine extract better than others and as a result you get a high ORAC and a useful introduction of the ingredient into the body.  This is the case with Natural Biology’s Vintage Resveratrol 100% which has both a high ORAC and is extremely effective in the body.   

Useful Note:  Not all wine extracts contain resveratrol.  Some companies, less than honest, will mix wine extracts with extracts containing resveratrol, and call it a resveratrol product.  This is what is called window dressing in the supplement industry and it is misleading.  Learn to read labels and stay away from companies that do window dressing.  By the way, most do.  Very few companies formulate like Natural Biology where higher potencies of all active ingredients are included.

Studies in nematode worms, fruit flies, fish, and mice have linked resveratrol to longer lives. Other studies with only resveratrol have reported anti-cancer effects, anti-inflammatory effects, cardiovascular benefits, anti-diabetes potential, energy endurance enhancement, and protection against Alzheimer’s.

However, despite the promise, results from human trials are limited.

The funding for such studies should be coming from the US’ National Institutes of health, said Sardi. “NIH should be sponsoring all types of human studies. We’re six years out (from the Nature study) and we haven’t seen anything,” he said.

A review in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research (2009, Vol. 53, pp. 115-128) by scientists from Ludwig-Maximilian-University Munich and the University of Texas appears to agree with these statements. “In spite of these studies, no systematic clinical trial has yet been done with the pure compound. No data are available on its bioavailability in humans. Such studies should be carried out to realize its full potential,” it states.

Studies are reportedly underway.  “Results of the first one will be published early in December at the 4th International Conference on Polyphenols and Health in Yorkshire, University of Leeds, England.”

Dosage concerns

There are some concerns over the active doses for the compound. Because there are so few clinical studies conducted on humans related to the ingredient, there is no golden standard for the necessary dosage levels. However, using animal studies as a guideline, minimum levels are thought to be 30mg per person per day.

It doesn’t seem that the correlation can be denied between the amount of saturated fats the French consume, the amount of red wine they consume, and their low incident of heart disease. In fact the French in general have one of the highest fat diets in the world, while there are 42% fewer cases of heart disease in France than in America. This fact has been known for years and is such an astounding statistic that it was given a name by scientist Dr. Serge Renaud. He calls it “The French Paradox.”

Dr. Renaud and other scientists believe that red grapes and red wine have an ingredient that explains this remarkably lower rate of cardio vascular disease and even cancer in not just France, but Italy and Spain, all of which are countries that produce and consume a lot of red wine. This ingredient is called resveratrol and it is a compound that is the natural by-product of the grape skins during the fermentation process. Resveratrol is also found in peanuts and blueberries. It is an antioxidant that grapes produce naturally as a protective mechanism against the ravages of the environment like damage from the sun and fungi. That is why wine has higher levels of resveratrol than most other natural foods.

Red wine has more resveratrol than white wine because the grape skins are left in during fermentation longer than with white grapes. This causes the antioxidants to be transferred to the wine. Grapes that are grown in dry climates do not have as much resveratrol as do grapes grown where it is humid because of the antioxidants they require to fight off fungal diseases.

It is widely known that in humans, antioxidants stop the effects of free radicals, which are damaging cells that cause aging. The antioxidants in resveratrol prevent damage to the DNA of cells by these free radicals that come from pollution, the sun, and our bodies natural process. When enough damage is done by free radicals, it can speed up aging, cause cancer, and weaken brain function.

It is for this reason that the consumption of red wine and, therefore of resveratrol, is given the credit for keeping cases of heart disease at such a low rate in the people of France, even though their diet is so high in fat and that a large portion of the French population smokes.

All this has brought about a proliferation of resveratrol supplements using the extracts of red wine grape extract – the preferred source of resveratrol from a research perspective although many supplement companies resort to the more easily available Japanese knotweed technically known as polygonum cuspidatum – although it actually comes from China.

There are many benefits to taking resveratrol supplements.  For instance, some studies have shown that resveratrol can reduce the chance of blood clots and even lower blood sugar level in type 2 diabetics.  Of course, the ultimate benefit would be longevity if that research bears as true as early findings have indicated.