Resveratrol

RESVERATROL is the latest 'cool' discovery in a growing list
of natural antioxidant chemicals produced by our indispensible
neighbours on this planet, plants. Let's hear it for the plants! When will
we learn that one cannot beat Nature's systems, evolved over billions of
years, when it comes to fighting disease. Everything wants to be at the
top of the evolutionary pile, to guarantee survival of the species and
survival requires combat, in one way or another.

When humans are well nourished, both physically and spiritually (and I
don't neccessarily mean religion), we can survive most attacks from
invading micro-organisms, but when we are run down we seem to
succumb easily.

And so too with plants. Resveratrol in the grape (Vitis vinifera) is
found in the roots, seeds & stalks but much higher concentrations are
found in in the skin of the grape, which protects it against fungal and
micro-organism attacks. Resveratrol is found in much higher quantities in
red wine than in white, due to there being not much if it in the white skins,
which are discarded before vinification; I wonder whether Bacchus
preferred red or white wine?! Maybe he didn't care!

Other food sources of resveratrol include peanuts and mulberries and it
is found in quite large amounts in the dried roots & stems of the
Japanese Knotweed (Poligonium cuspidatum), obtainable mainly
through health stores. The Japanese Knotweed is commonly used, in
traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine, as a tonic for the circulation.

Peanuts contain around 1 micrograms per gram and red grapes about 80
but a glass of red wine storms into the lead with a whopping 600-700
micrograms! That should expunge any guilt next time you visit your wine
shop! "Just following doctor's orders"!

In fact, the relatively high wine intake amongst the French seems to
reduce incidences of cardiac disease, despite their love of good food.
Though this French Paradox seems to have some admirable health
benefits, it does not seem to protect them against liver disease, which
may be bad news for all of you about to fill up your third glass this
evening. The perceived wisdom amongst scientists who have studied
the beneficial effects of resveratrol say that two glasses daily are
optimum. I can now see people rushing out to buy 1/2 litre glasses - no,
that's cheating! Ah, what the heck, please yourselves!

Resveratrol also has antiproliferative actions, inhibiting cancer cell and
tumour growth, and is involved in inhibiting an important enzyme in
tumour growth. This clever little compound also reduces deposition of plaques on
blood vessels, stimulates the immune system in fighting cancer, inhibits
oxidisation of LDL-Cholesterol and, if that were not enough, also is a
good anti-inflammatory. Research continues and more beneficial
characteristics are being discovered daily.

ANTI AGING - The Holy Grail
Is there no end to what Resveratrol can do! As well as being a powerful
antioxidant it seem that there is great interest in it's anti-aging antioxidant
properties. According to an article in The Times. "..."It works by
binding to a class of proteins called sirtuins which regulate the
repair of cells and dramatically boosts their efficiency. Studies have
shown that it has an impressive anti-inflammatory action which, in
animals, has delayed the process of ageing and increased lifespan by up
to 50%." Just before you rush out to stock up with your favourite
'Chateau Colostomy', I would like to point out that tests on mice, fed a
reduced carbohydrate diet, also showed an increase in life span of 50%! The
report doesn't say if red wine was part of their diet!!

At the end of the day, to my way of thinking, as with everything in Life
moderation is the name of the game. Enjoy a glass or two with your
evening meal while your chat with your family and catch up on
everybody's daily events. Eat as much organic fruit & vegetables as you
can, take organic food supplements, exercise in moderation and learn to
be at peace with, and love, yourself. If you don't love yourself, how can
you love anyone else?

Fine Wines delivered to your door.
Maintain energy levels when back packing.
Relaxation and Art to help your body heal itself.