Unleash Full Potential of Resveratrol

Resveratrol, when combined with hydrogel fiber, becomes up to 10 times more bioavailable, delivering longevity effects throughout the body.

Scientifically reviewed by: Dr. Gary Gonzalez, MD, in December 2022. Written by: Alan Bell.

Life Extension Health Concens

Resveratrol is one of those nutrients that is a multi-tasker.^1-3

It has potential to increase longevity and promote better cardiovascular, brain, and metabolic health.^1-3

One challenge with resveratrol has been finding ways to make it more bioavailable.

Despite having good initial absorption, resveratrol is rapidly metabolized, leaving little of the original compound circulating in blood.

Scientists have made an advance in improving resveratrol delivery.

Formulating it into a hydrogel fiber blend enables up to 10 times greater bioavailability compared to unformulated resveratrol.⁴

This enhances the amount and time that resveratrol can deliver its multiple benefits throughout the body.

Resveratrol Bioavailability

Resveratrol is a polyphenol compound found in several plants, most notably red grapes, some berries, and Japanese knotweed.

In its free form, resveratrol has poor bioavailability.^4-6 Most of the free resveratrol does not end up in the bloodstream and cannot get to the tissues where it can exert beneficial effects.

The main reason is that active resveratrol is rapidly metabolized.^4-6

Protecting Against Rapid Degradation

Researchers discovered that a plant fiber formulation can protect resveratrol from rapid metabolism, greatly enhancing its bioavailability and delivery to tissues.⁴

Galactomannans are a plant-derived, indigestible fiber. Human enzymes cannot break this fiber down.

Embedding resveratrol in a matrix of these fibers creates a hydrogel that protects the resveratrol from rapid degradation in the liver and digestive tract.

In a recent trial, human subjects were randomized to receive either this new hydrogel form of resveratrol or the same dose of regular unformulated resveratrol.⁴ The new formulation increased bioavailability of resveratrol by more than 10 times.

In addition, the hydrogel resveratrol resulted in almost four-fold greater peak blood levels of resveratrol and nearly a four-fold greater half-life. That means the new resveratrol reached higher levels in the body and stayed in the bloodstream longer.

Why Resveratrol Is Biologically Important

Resveratrol is a phytonutrient that impacts several cellular processes.

For example, it activates:^2,3

• Sirtuins, proteins that regulate cellular health and longevity,
• Nrf2, a master regulator of the body’s defense against oxidative damage, and
• FOXO, a regulator of autophagy, the process of “cellular housekeeping” that keeps tissues healthy.

Through its impact on these and other systems, resveratrol helps prevent or mitigate several different forms of chronic disorders.

Resveratrol’s actions also mimic some beneficial actions found with calorie-restricted diets and exercise, which both improve metabolic health.

Through its various actions, resveratrol provides a broad array of benefits that can help improve insulin sensitivity, activate longevity genes, and reduce chronic inflammation.^2,3

Multifaceted Effects

The effects of resveratrol extend to practically every organ system.

Among the potential benefits observed in a wide range of studies, resveratrol has been shown to:

• Promote longevity. Resveratrol intake is associated with longer lifespan in a range of model organisms. For example, short-lived flies fed different resveratrol concentrations had mean lifespan extension of 10% to 29%.^7-9 In bees, it increases the maximum lifespan by 38%.¹⁰
• Improve metabolic health. Metabolic health underpins the health of all systems in the body, and resveratrol supports optimal metabolism. Preclinical and clinical research show it can help improve insulin sensitivity and lipid levels, aid in control of diabetes, decrease body weight, and improve the mix of healthy intestinal flora.^3,11-19
• Protect heart parameters. In clinical and preclinical studies, resveratrol has been shown to improve blood vessel function and blood pressure. By these and other means, resveratrol can help fight underlying causes of cardiovascular disorders.^{2,15-17,20,21}
• Improve brain indicators. Data from preclinical studies has shown that resveratrol can reduce neuroinflammation and the accumulation of abnormal proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.^1,3,22-24 In a fruit fly model, a special form of resveratrol also conferred neuroprotective benefits.⁸
• Encourage immune and anti-inflammatory effects. Resveratrol has shown immunomodulatory effects in preclinical trials, which could bolster healthy immune function to defend against various pathogens and toxins. It also possesses anti-inflammatory properties.^1,3,20
• Promote anti-cancer activity. Preclinical studies show resveratrol has anti-cancer activity, blocking abnormal cell growth, killing aberrant cells, and preventing the spread of these cells in the body.³

With greater bioavailability, hydrogel resveratrol can maximize the potential to achieve these types of benefits.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

A Better Resveratrol at Last

• Resveratrol is a polyphenol compound found in various plants, particularly red grapes, some berries, and Japanese knotweed
• It has been shown in a number of different models to promote longevity, and has been studied for improving metabolic, cardiovascular, brain, and immune health.
• Until recently, resveratrol suffered from poor bioavailability.
• A new hydrogel formula uses plant-derived fiber to protect resveratrol from being metabolically broken down, improving the bioavailability of resveratrol by up to 10 times, allowing it to reach greater concentrations in the bloodstream, for a longer time.

Summary

Resveratrol has shown an ability in preclinical models and in different types of organisms to prolong life as well as to dampen an array of pathologic mechanisms.

In humans, resveratrol has been studied to target a number of disease mechanisms.

Poor bioavailability of resveratrol has long been an issue, but a new hydrogel formulation protects it, allowing greater bioavailability.

A clinical study has shown that this hydrogel resveratrol offers up to 10 times greater bioavailability than unformulated resveratrol.

Magazine Subscription