Resveratrol

Resveratrol is a naturally-occurring polyphenol present in many plant foods, such as peanuts, blueberries and grapes as well as high amounts in red wine.

Resveratrol is thought to be one of the key factors in wine contributing towards the French paradox: low death rates from heart disease despite a high amount of dietary saturated fat. Following the publication in 1997 of strong anticancer properties, resveratrol has been intensively studied. “Resveratrol has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, glucose and lipid regulatory, neuroprotective, and cardiovascular protective effects, therefore, can protect against diverse chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancer, liver diseases, obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.” [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7143620/#:~:text=Resveratrol%20has%20antioxidant%2C%20anti%2Dinflammatory,%2C%20diabetes%2C%20Alzheimer’s%20disease%2C%20and].

Resveratrol is a plant product, and deficiency in humans is not known.

Carnitine is often supplemented in a variety of conditions, including multiple metabolic and mitochondrial disorders, as well as in people taking valproate (Depakote), as it depletes carnitine. Carnitine has been shown in studies to likely help people with autism.

The effects of resveratrol are likely mediated by its ability to protect against oxidative stress. This would explain why studies have shown benefits of resveratrol in so many settings, as oxidative stress is common to multiple disorders. In particular, studies have shown resveratrol to decrease mortality from all causes, protect against some cancers, improve cardiovascular disease risks (e.g., lower fasting sugar/glucose, triglycerides, and heart rate), stabilize biomarkers of progression in Alzheimer disease, and reduce frailty is the elderly. Not all studies have shown benefits. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7143620/#:~:text=Resveratrol%20has%20antioxidant%2C%20anti%2Dinflammatory,%2C%20diabetes%2C%20Alzheimer’s%20disease%2C%20and].

Resveratrol is safe at dosages up to 3,000 mg a day. Side effects are unlikely in the moderate dosing (200 mg) present in ActivNeeds.

Multiple fruits and vegetables, including blueberry, grapes, and peanuts, are excellent source of natural antioxidants, including polyphenol such as resveratrol. Feel free to add these to your diet in addition to what you receive in ActivNeeds. However, take wine only in moderation as alcohol is a pro-oxidant that promotes mitochondrial dysfunction..