Grape Resveratrol Boosts Heart health

MURCIA, SpainOne-year consumption of a resveratrol-rich grape supplement reduced inflammation and blood clot markers in heart disease patients in a recently study (Am J Cardiol. 2012 Apr 19). This study showed for the first time that a dietary intervention with grape resveratrol could complement the "gold standard therapy," i.e., statins, in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Seventy-five patients undergoing primary prevention of CVD participated in this triple blind, randomized, parallel, dose-response, placebo-controlled, one-year follow-up trial. Patients who were on statins for primary prevention of CVD and at high CVD risk (i.e., with diabetes or hypercholesterolemia plus at least one other CV risk factor), allocated in three groups, consumed placebo (maltodextrin), a resveratrol-rich grape supplement (resveratrol 8 mg) or a conventional grape supplement lacking resveratrol, for the first six months and a double dose for the next six months.

In contrast to placebo and conventional grape supplement, the resveratrol-rich grape supplement significantly decreased inflammatory markers, such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein by26 percent (P=0.03), tumor necrosis factor-alpha by 19.8 percent (P=0.01) and interleukin-6/interleukin-10 ratio by 24 percent (P=0.04), and increased anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 by 19.8 percent (P=0.00). Those taking the resveratrol supplement also decreased the blood clot marker plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 by 16.8 percent (P=0.03). Adiponectin (involved in regulating glucose levels and fatty acid breakdown) increased by 6.5 percent (P=0.07) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (linked to CVD events related to coronary atherosclerotic disease progression and vessel narrowing) decreased by 5.7 percent (P=0.06) in patients taking resveratrol.

No adverse effects were observed in any patient.

This study follows a 2010 study that found resveratrol (as resVida® from DSM) improved cardiovascular functioning. A 2011 meta analysis from the University of Florida reported resveratrol has anti-aging, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Since inflammation is a part of every degenerative disease known to manfrom Alzheimer's to obesity to diabetes to heart diseaselowering inflammation with safe, beneficial natural substances like resveratrol is one of the smartest health strategies on the planet," said Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., CNS.

Heather Hausenblas, Ph.D., of the University of Florida College of Health and Human Performance, noted supplementing with resveratrol can protect the body from the harmful effects of inflammation. "Researchers recently found that resveratrol-enriched supplementation significantly reduced cardiovascular risk factors (Mol Nutr Food Res. 2012 May;56(5):810-21. DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201100673). The studys basic conclusion wastaking Resveratrol daily may help you maintain a strong, healthy heart."