Re: Resveratrol - The Secret to Longevity?

[Guest guest]

There is a big difference between association and cause and effect. Observation

studies can show an association between certain diets and effects but do no

prove necessarily that there is a direct cause and effect.

The Scientific method

Axiom of Physics and all science: you cannot prove an hypothesis through

observation, you can only disprove it.

What you cite are observations and hypothesis not proven scientific fact.

Ralph Giarnella MD

Southington Ct. USA

Re: Resveratrol—The Secret to Longevity?

Ralph,

I'm surprised at the statement: " it thus may help protect against

cardiovascular disease, but this is far from proven. "

I'd heard several years ago that it was a proven outcome in millions of

people. What I remember is that one European country that suddenly increased

it's wine diet at the beginning of this decade, had a dramatic decrease in

cardiovascular disease across the country.

Giovanni Ciriani - West Hartford, CT - USA

On Tue, Nov 16, 2010 at 10:14 AM, Ralph Giarnella <ragiarn@...> wrote:

>

>

> From Berkeley Wellness

> http://www.wellnessletter.com/

> Ralph Giarnella MD

> ********************

> Resveratrol—The Secret to Longevity?

>

> Many eminent scientists are interested in resveratrol, and some findings

> have

> been tantalizing. But is it really the “Holy Grail of aging research,†as

a

>

> Harvard researcher described it?

> Resveratrol is one of many naturally occurring plant chemicals called

> polyphenols. It is found in grapes, peanuts, mulberries, and blueberries,

> among

> other edible (and nonedible) plants. Red wine is rich in it; white wine has

>

> some, too. Many reports have called resveratrol the ingredient in wine that

>

> appears to protect drinkers from cardiovascular disease.

> First isolated in 1940, resveratrol has been a subject of scientific study

> ever

> since. And, indeed, under a microscope, it appears to do nearly

> everything—for

> good or bad.

> For example:

> • In studies of yeasts and other small organisms, high doses of resveratrol

> have

> lengthened lifespan. Mice, too, live longer when given resveratrol. These

> findings gave rise to the anti-aging claims of supplement marketers.

> • Resveratol sometimes behaves like a plant estrogen. As such, it may

> activate

> genes controlled by estrogen. This raises the possibility that it might

> promote

> certain cancers.

> • On the other hand, resveratrol sometimes behaves like, an anti-estrogen,

> and

> this raises the possibility that it might help suppress those same cancers.

> • Resveratrol is an antioxidant. Some researchers have proposed that it

> thus may

> help protect against cardiovascular disease, but this is far from proven.

> • On the other hand, good studies have found that resveratrol, under some

> circumstances, can act like a pro-oxidant and can thus damage cells. It has

> been

> theorized that this property might be useful for treating cancer.

> • Resveratrol can have anti-inflammatory and anti-prostaglandin effects.

> (Prostaglandins are chemicals involved in many bodily processes, including

> pain.) That is, resveratrol has something in common with aspirin and other

> nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

> • Lab studies suggest that resveratrol has neuroprotective properties. If

> these

> could somehow be harnessed, they might help prevent some of the

> degenerative

> diseases of aging.

> Resveratrol is being tested at many research institutions as a treatment

> for

> such disorders as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and Alzheimer’s disease, as

> well

> as for preventing cancer. One hope, apart from its possible preventive or

> life-extending uses, is that resveratrol will prove useful for treating

> heart

> disease and cancer.

> Promising—but not yet ready for prime time

> If you are considering taking resveratrol, keep in mind that there have

> been no

> good human studies. It appears to be safe, but its long-term effects are an

> open

> question. Any substance that seems to do almost everything and can play

> opposite

> chemical roles deserves careful study. Even if it proves beneficial, no one

>

> knows what an optimal dose is. Perhaps one day drug companies will be

> selling

> resveratrol, with some evidence of safety and effectiveness via human

> studies.

> But in the meantime, as a dietary supplement, resveratrol can continue to

> make

> many vague health claims with no proof.

> Until more is known, get your resveratrol from your diet: grape juice,

> grapes,

> blueberries, peanuts. If you enjoy a glass of wine, that’s fine. It’s

known

> that

> the alcohol has heart benefits; perhaps the resveratrol provides benefits,

> too.

>

>