Reservatrol
Table of contents |
Introduction
Reservatrol, a polyphenol phytochemical with antioxidative properties, is found naturally in skins of red grapes, muscadines, and foods of natural red/purple grape origins, such as
- red wine
- natural grape juice
It is often referred to as a "red wine derivative"; various grape species have different reservatrol levels.
Properties
Like other antioxidants, reservatrol is believed to protect against
- certain cancers
- cardiovascular diseases
- neurodegenerative diseases, such as
An experiment by Harvard University, antioxidants, such as reservatrol, were shown protect 68–100% of dopamine (DA) neurons from cellular necrosis. Inhibitors, on the other hand, were not as effective in the prevention of cell death in the later stages of death cascade.
Reservatrol has demonstrated to enhance enzmyme activities associated with the regeneration and stimulation of nerve cells.
In red wine, polyphenoic compounds of reservatrol and quercitin lowered LDL, and raised HDL levels. These compounds were also found to modulate cytokines involved in acute anti-inflammatory responses.
Other Pharmaceutical Benefits
Reservatrol is claimed by some to have medicinal benefits as listed below. There has been little, if any, reliable evidence on the demonstration of the disputed effects of resevatrol that meets commonly accepted scientific standards.
Reservatrol are often sold as beauty supplement.
They are claimed to have the following benefits
- anti-aging properties; an anti-aging enzyme
- promotes cellular, skin renewal
- removes wrinkles
- decreases serum cholesterol and fatlevels
- prevention of Alzheimer's disease
- prevention of Parkinson's disease
Dr. Leroy Creasy, a Professor of Pomology/Fruit and Vegetable Science at Cornell University, and his researches found that reservatrol is associated with the decreased rates of heart diseases among the French population.
It has been observed that reservatrol interferes with cyclozygenase-2 (COX-2) gene activation responsible for arthritis.
See Also
Further Readings
(Useful and Poisonous Plants – McGraw-Hill)
(Journal of Nutrition and Biochemistry, November 2002)
(Cocoa and Chocolate Flavinoids: Implications on Cardiovascular Health – UC Davis
External Links
Categories: Pages needing attention | Biochemistry