Why Aren't You Using Resveratrol From Grape Supplements

When was the last time you used resveratrol from grape supplements? There is a whole cottage industry selling red grape seed and skin extract. I want to put aside their sometimes ridiculous prices for what are essentially the by products of the wine making process and concentrate on why people buy them.

The original research was done in 1936 by Dr. Jacques Masquelier of the Pasteur Institute and has been followed  by studies too numerous to cite here. What scientists have discovered over the years is that the numerous bioflavonoids in red grapes have powerful antioxidant properties. Antioxidants fight the free radicals you generate with every breath you take. They are uncontrolled oxidants that damage cells. Over time, this causes both your health and body to deteriorate. This is the natural process of aging but it can be resisted.

There are two antioxidant properties that interest us here.  

1] Grape extract contains proanthocyanidins [pardon my language]. This particular group of bioflavonoids enhances the abilities of Vitamin C to enter and strengthen cells and cell membranes which is important for many  reasons but let's discuss a couple of them:  

a] Vitamin C is water soluble which means that it doesn't stay with you very long. Overall, it is by far the most powerful antioxidant but it must be absorbed. In other words, use it or lose it.  

b] There are over 300 important purposes for Vitamin C in our bodies. Many people who take Vitamin C supplements [several hundred million world wide] still suffer from deficiencies because of a negative chain of events. Their Vitamin C is not absorbed well, which leads to a lack of potency in nutrients that need Vitamin C for absorption, which in turn causes deficiencies in still other nutrients and so on.  

2] Resveratrol from grape supplements is one of those bioflavonoids I previously mentioned, but with a twist. Several studies have shown that it stimulates the anti-aging family of genes called Sirtuins. What happens is not only do they fight cancer, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes but they help prevent them from starting in the first place.  

To sum up, you can get any of the above nutrients from different sources including pine bark and peanuts. However, for us to get all the benefits, it is very important that we get them and especially the resveratrol from grape supplements.  You may ask why?

Simply put there are 3 reasons:  

1] It is a natural source. Look for the word trans [natural] and avoid the cis [synthetic].  

2] It is potent in small doses which avoids some of the side effects like joint pains and stomach problems.  

3] It can be taken as part of a multi-nutrient supplement that allows absorption of  all the antioxidants we need.