Have you been thinking of starting a weight loss program? If so, you’ve probably been looking around the Internet for information on losing weight as easily as possible. You will have seen countless advertisements that urge you to try resveratrol for weight loss. Some sound more plausible than others. But is there really a connection between taking resveratrol and weight loss?
The red wine ingredient resveratrol has been shown in many research studies to have a positive effect on such diseases of aging as heart disease, hypertension, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. According to David Byrne, the European Union Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, all these diseases may also be triggered by obesity The EU and the Obesity Epidemic, EuroHealth, Spring 2003. Byrne’s article emphasizes that obesity is the major emerging threat to public health in Europe. And we already know that Americans are shockingly overweight:
- 66% of non-institutionalized adults 20 years old or more are overweight or obese
- 32% of non-institutionalized adults 20 years old or more are obese
- 17% of adolescents 12 to 19 years old are overweight or obese
- 19% of children 6 to 11 years old are overweight or obese!
If you’re not suffering from any of the above diseases, but would just like to take off a few pounds… or more… there seem to be other connections between resveratrol and obesity. In some studies, it has been observed that metabolic activity has been increased by resveratrol. The compound is a sirtuin activator; that is, it has the ability to activate the gene called SIRT1. This gene has been identified as a powerful fat burner, as well as a longevity gene, and has been studied by a number of international researchers. For example, Spanish scientists AlcaÃn and Villalba, at the Universidad de Córdoba, recently published a study discussing the activation of the sirtuin genes by the restriction of caloric intake. The article states their conclusion that; to date, resveratrol is the most potent natural compound able to activate SIRT1, mimicking the positive effect of calorie restriction.
Other studies have shown that fat mice given resveratrol were able to perform as if they were not overweight. Following Dr. David Sinclair’s groundbreaking study of resveratrol in 2006, a French team of researchers found that feeding large amounts of resveratrol to healthy young mice almost doubled their physical endurance during exercise (Auwerx et al.). Implications for resveratrol and obesity in humans might be that if physical endurance were increased, more exercise could be helpful in losing weight.
Probably the most important step to take, if you’re considering taking resveratrol for weight loss, is to make certain you’re getting a brand of resveratrol supplements that is certified by the National Sanitation Foundation. Look for the logo that says NSF GMP. This shows you that the resveratrol product you’re buying has been made under Good Manufacturing Practices, and that the bottle’s label actually describes its contents. The other very important thing to look for is a product containing trans resveratrol. This is the more active form of the resveratrol molecule, as opposed to cis resveratrol. Trans resveratrol assures you that degradation of the molecule has not taken place, and you’re receiving the best form of resveratrol.
Although clinical trials in humans have not been conducted for resveratrol and weight loss, animal studies have suggested that resveratrol might have this property. Additionally, studies have provided ample demonstration that the red wine ingredient resveratrol may be beneficial in many other ways, as mentioned above. Talk with your physician before beginning to take this compound, as with any other non-prescription health preparation. And here’s to your newly energetic, and hopefully newly slender, self!