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Is Resveratrol Safe?

By: Jeremy Lucas

Whenever a new health product comes on the market, it is often met by skepticism.  If the product is claimed to offer many positive benefits, there are often questions about its effectiveness and its safety.  Resveratrol is one such product.  When you have some accurate information about resveratrol, you will be able to decide if it can benefit you.

Resveratrol supplements are derived from plant sources.  Most people know about resveratrol from hearing that grape skins and parts of the grape vine are one of the most potent sources of this compound. This anti-aging supplement gained most of its notoriety when it was discovered that red wine contained one of the highest amounts of resveratrol in any food or drink we consume on a regular basis. Resveratrol can also be found in some other natural berries.  The majority of resveratrol supplements are derived from a plant called Polygonum cuspidatum, which is a less expensive and more potent source of resveratrol than grapes.

All of the major research studies to date have shown this supplement to be very safe, even in high doses.  However, it is only sensible to request your physician’s advice before starting any new supplement, especially if you have any preexisting conditions or are taking prescription medicines.  Women who are pregnant or nursing a baby, or individuals who have serious medical problems, should not use it without their doctor’s approval.  This should not cause any alarm, nor lead you to question its general safety, as it is a good rule-of-thumb regarding any dietary supplements.

A 2009 study done by the Burdock Group concluded that resveratrol did not cause any adverse affects when tested on rats, even at very high dosages such as 700mg/kg of body weight each day. This lead them to state that resveratrol was a well tolerated and non-toxic supplement.

A number of research studies have been conducted to verify the positive aspects of resveratrol.  One example is experiments conducted at Harvard in 2003.  The anti-aging and life-extending properties of resveratrol were concluded to be very promising when studied on mice.

The anti-viral effects of resveratrol were studied at an Ohio College of Medicine.  These studies showed that resveratrol did indeed have the capacity to block the process of the influenza virus.

While the long-term safety effects of resveratrol have not yet been determined, it is relatively impossible to have conclusive data for a product that has not been in use for very long.  This does not mean that there are any conclusive facts pointing to the product being less than completely safe.  It only means that sensible care should be exercised in its use. In addition to pregnant and nursing women, and individuals with serious medical problems, resveratrol should not be used by children.  If you opt to use this product, you should carefully assess its benefits, possible risks, and use it only as directed.

While resveratrol is hailed as an anti-aging product, it may produce other health benefits as well.  Similar to the recent trend toward drinking grape juice, resveratrol may protect one’s heart, and reduce one’s risk of developing cancer.  As some people do not wish to consume alcohol, including wine, or make any kind of drastic changes to their diets, resveratrol supplements can be the ideal solution.

Anecdotal reports from users have shown that resveratrol can cause an increase in the metabolism of fat.  This is why some people today use it to help them lose weight.  An important point to keep in mind is that no product, including resveratrol, is a miracle-cure in itself.  If you wish to lose weight using resveratrol, it should be only one part of your entire weight-loss program.  A balanced diet and exercise are also necessary for a weight-loss plan to be successful.

Presently, research studies have found little risk from the proper use of resveratrol.  Many people who uses this product correctly have been delighted with the benefits they receive.  However, it is necessary to bear in mind that even an all-natural supplement is safe only when it is used as directed, and not used if one has any medical contraindications.  While resveratrol may not be a miracle, studies have shown that it could very well be one product, which can help you to live a longer, healthier life.

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