The CBS television show 60 Minutes featured resveratrol on their January 25, 2008 segment, spiking interest in the revitalizing, anti aging substance. Resveratrol is abundance in red wine and may be part of the reason for the many health benefits attributed to wine. The video of the segment can be seen on the CBS website.
Red Wine and Resveratrol
Red wine has been the subject of health studies for its possible protective benefits for years. Wine, particularly antioxidant rich red wine, appears to protect people against the ravages of cancer, heart disease, high cholesterol, and obesity. Although red wine appears to beneficial to health, doctors are very cautious about recommending drinking it to patients because of the risks of alcohol abuse and alcoholism.
The news about the health benefits of red wine is exciting for people who enjoy a glass along with their dinner. However, the good news about red wine should not be taken as carte blanche to drink alcohol to excess.
Although there are many healthful components in red wine, resveratrol is breaking out as the substance with major protective and anti-aging benefits.
Resveratrol can be found in various fruits, the best source is from red wine. The resveratrol in wine comes from the skins of the red grapes used to make the wine. The skin of the grape appears to protect the grape from bacteria and fungi.
Researchers Developing Pharmaceutical Grade Resveratrol
Dr. Christoph Westphal and David Sinclair, a biochemist at Harvard have been studying resveratrol for five years, in a quest to put death on hold so people can lead longer and healthier lives. The two men formed Sirtris five years ago to conduct research and develop a resveratrol prescription. Recently Sirtris has been purchased by pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline for nearly three quarters of a billion dollars, due to the promising direction of their research.
60 Minutes Interview
60 Minutes correspondent Morley Safer interviewed Dr. Christoph Westphal about their research on resveratrol. Dr. Westphal stated “We all may soon be taking a drug that just might beat the clock, a simple pill that could delay the inevitable. "Our goal is to prevent and forestall many of the diseases that strike us as we reach 50, 60, and 70. All with one pill."
When Safer asked Dr. Westphal if a rejuvenation drug would turn a 70 year old into a 35 year old, Westphal replied, "That might be pretty hard to do. But I think if we're on a train heading one direction, we can slow down that train. I think we can slow down these genes that control the aging process.”
Where to Get Resveratrol
According to Dr Westphal, their pharmaceutical grade resveratrol should be on the market within five years. In the meantime, resveratrol supplements are currently available in health food stores and on line. The challenge to consumers is to find a supplement with high quality and consistent standards.
People who prefer to get their resveratrol through their diet can enjoy red wine with dinner. It would be impossible to duplicate the strength of the dosage by drinking because the Sirtirs pharmacy grade supplement would supply the amount of resveratrol in 1,000 bottles of red wine.
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