Why Resveratrol Might Be Your Best Ally After 40

Resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant found in various foods such as grapes, red wine, peanuts, and blueberries, is gaining attention for its potential benefits in promoting healthier aging. Research suggests that this compound may not only increase lifespan in certain organisms but also improve cognitive health, enhance metabolic function, and support heart health by positively affecting cholesterol levels. As we age, maintaining a sharp mind and a healthy body becomes increasingly important, and resveratrol may play a crucial role in that journey. While more human studies are needed to confirm these findings and determine optimal dosages, incorporating resveratrol-rich foods or supplements could be a valuable strategy for those looking to age gracefully. Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of resveratrol and explore how it might contribute to a healthier, longer life.

Today’s podcast dives into the fascinating compound resveratrol, highlighting its potential benefits for healthy aging. Resveratrol, an antioxidant found in foods like grapes, red wine, peanuts, and blueberries, may offer a range of advantages, from increasing lifespan to enhancing cognitive function and metabolic health. The discussion explores how resveratrol could mimic the effects of calorie restriction, which is linked to longevity, and its ability to improve insulin sensitivity and lipid profiles. Additionally, the hosts delve into its impact on brain health, particularly its role in potentially preventing Alzheimer's disease and improving memory retention. With insights into how to incorporate resveratrol into your diet and the importance of ongoing research, this episode provides valuable information for anyone looking to age well.

Takeaways:

Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant found in foods like grapes and red wine.
Research suggests that resveratrol may help increase lifespan in various organisms, including fruit flies.
It has potential benefits for brain health, possibly reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Resveratrol can improve insulin sensitivity, aiding in the prevention of type 2 diabetes.
This compound might also enhance memory retention and cognitive function in older adults.
Incorporating resveratrol-rich foods or supplements could support healthier aging overall.

To see the research sources for this podcast, please visit

https://40thru99.com/p/resveratrol-senior-health

This anti-aging podcast was sponsored by Muscadinex natural health supplements. The muscadine is America’s strongest source of grape resveratrol and other polyphenols.

Get 20 free 'senior mobility' exercise videos when you subscribe to our newsletter. Twenty easy stretches to help you stay flexible. No special equipment needed. Just a chair and comfortable clothes!

www.muscadinex.com/gift

Transcript

: 00:00:02

Welcome to the 40thru99 podcast. Healthcare research and news to help you age better. This podcast is for information purposes. It is not medical advice.

Consult your health practitioner before making any changes to your medications, diet, or lifestyle.

Tom: 00:00:21

Hey, 40thru99 listeners. Today we're doing a deep dive into some pretty interesting research. Yeah, it's all about a compound called resveratrol.

And we're going to look at why you might want to think about it as part of your healthy aging strategy.

Jane: 00:00:36

Especially for our listeners over 40.

Tom: 00:00:39

Exactly. So let's just start with the basics.

Jane: 00:00:44

Okay?

Tom: 00:00:44

What is resveratrol?

Jane: 00:00:46

So resveratrol is this.

Tom: 00:00:48

And where do we even find it?

Jane: 00:00:50

It's an antioxidant found in plants, specifically a polyphenol. And you can think of it like a natural shield against damage to our cells.

Tom: 00:00:59

Interesting.

Jane: 00:00:59

And you'll find it in grape skins.

Tom: 00:01:01

Okay.

Jane: 00:01:03

Red wine.

Tom: 00:01:03

Oh, I like that one.

Jane: 00:01:05

Peanuts, blueberries, even that. Japanese knotweed tea. It's called Itadori tea.

Tom: 00:01:11

Japanese knotweed tea. Now that's something I need to try.

Jane: 00:01:13

Yeah, it's pretty cool.

Tom: 00:01:15

But why? Why all this buzz about resveratrol? Well, especially when it comes to aging.

Jane: 00:01:20

Studies have shown that resveratrol can actually increase lifespan in a bunch of different organisms.

Tom: 00:01:26

Okay.

Jane: 00:01:27

Like yeast, fruit flies, fish, even honeybees.

Tom: 00:01:32

So you're telling me we could have longer living bees because of resveratrol?

Jane: 00:01:37

It's pretty wild.

Tom: 00:01:38

That's wild.

Jane: 00:01:39

Yeah. And it gets even cooler because researchers created the special resveratrol rich rice.

Tom: 00:01:46

Oh, wow.

Jane: 00:01:47

And they fed it to fruit flies.

Tom: 00:01:49

Okay.

Jane: 00:01:49

And guess what? Their lifespan increased by a whopping 50%.

Tom: 00:01:53

A resveratrol packed rice. That's amazing.

Jane: 00:01:56

Yeah.

Tom: 00:01:57

Science is pretty incredible.

Jane: 00:01:58

It is.

Tom: 00:01:58

But what about us humans? Can we expect similar results?

Jane: 00:02:02

So more research is definitely needed to confirm those kinds of effects in humans, but just the impact that resveratrol had on us aging in these studies, it's super exciting. It's really exciting because it suggests that this compound could really hold a key to healthier aging.

Tom: 00:02:20

So not a guaranteed ticket to 100, but maybe a way to boost our health as we age.

Jane: 00:02:25

Exactly.

Tom: 00:02:26

Okay.

Jane: 00:02:26

And, you know, one of the reasons for that is resveratrol's potential to act as a calorie restriction. Mimetic.

Tom: 00:02:34

Mimetic.

Jane: 00:02:35

Yeah, it's a mouthful.

Tom: 00:02:36

I'm lost.

Jane: 00:02:37

Think about it this way. Reducing calorie intake, okay. Without malnutrition, which is known as calorie restriction or CR, has been linked to longevity.

Tom: 00:02:48

Okay.

Jane: 00:02:49

Resveratrol kind of seems to mimic some of the benefits of CR.

Tom: 00:02:54

Interesting.

Jane: 00:02:55

Without us actually having to, like, drastically cut our calories.

Tom: 00:02:59

So we're basically tricking our bodies into thinking we're eating less.

Jane: 00:03:02

Pretty much.

Tom: 00:03:02

Okay.

Jane: 00:03:03

And that could be a good thing for our health, right?

Tom: 00:03:05

Yeah. I mean, that sounds pretty promising.

Jane: 00:03:07

Yeah. And studies have shown that it can improve insulin sensitivity.

Tom: 00:03:12

Okay.

Jane: 00:03:12

Reduce body weight, even increase the lifespan of mice on a high fat diet.

Tom: 00:03:17

Hold on.

Jane: 00:03:18

Yeah.

Tom: 00:03:18

Mice are living longer on a high fat diet?

Jane: 00:03:21

Pretty incredible, right? Yeah.

Tom: 00:03:22

That's amazing.

Jane: 00:03:23

Yeah. It's important to note that it doesn't mimic all aspects of calorie restriction.

Tom: 00:03:28

Okay.

Jane: 00:03:28

And we still need more research on its long term effects in humans.

Tom: 00:03:32

Right. We've got to be cautious, of course, but it's still pretty promising.

Jane: 00:03:35

Yeah, definitely.

Tom: 00:03:37

Besides this calorie restriction thing, what other benefits does resveratrol offer?

Jane: 00:03:42

Right.

Tom: 00:03:42

As we age, especially for us 40thru99ers?

Jane: 00:03:46

Well, let's talk about your brain. The research on resveratrol and cognitive health is especially exciting.

Tom: 00:03:52

So it's not just about living longer.

Jane: 00:03:54

Right.

Tom: 00:03:54

It's about living longer with a sharp mind.

Jane: 00:03:56

Exactly.

Tom: 00:03:57

I'm all ears.

Jane: 00:03:58

Alright, so resveratrol's potent antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties protect brain cells from damage. And here's the really crucial part.

Tom: 00:04:09

Okay.

Jane: 00:04:09

It can cross the blood brain barrier ... which not many things can do?

Tom: 00:04:14

The brain security system?

Jane: 00:04:15

Exactly.

Tom: 00:04:16

Not just anything gets in.

Jane: 00:04:17

Nope.

Tom: 00:04:18

So resveratrol's ability to get through means it can directly impact brain health.

Jane: 00:04:23

Exactly.

Tom: 00:04:24

Okay, so it's in there doing its protective thing.

Jane: 00:04:27

But what does that mean for us in practical terms?

Tom: 00:04:29

Well, there's promising research on resveratrol's role in potentially preventing and managing Alzheimer's disease.

Jane: 00:04:37

No, that's a big one.

Tom: 00:04:38

Right.

Jane: 00:04:38

Alzheimer's is a scary thought for a lot of us. Of course. How could resveratrol help with that?

Tom: 00:04:43

So it seems to work in a few different ways.

Jane: 00:04:46

Okay.

Tom: 00:04:46

It may help reduce amyloid beta.

Jane: 00:04:49

Okay.

Tom: 00:04:49

Which is a protein that builds up in the brains of people with Alzheimer's.

Jane: 00:04:52

Right.

Tom: 00:04:53

It also suppresses harmful inflammation in the brain.

Jane: 00:04:56

Okay.

Tom: 00:04:57

And finally, it might improve the function of mitochondria, which are the powerhouses of our cells, specifically in the brain.

Jane: 00:05:06

So it's like a triple threat against Alzheimer's, tackling it from different angles.

Tom: 00:05:09

Exactly.

Jane: 00:05:10

Okay.

Tom: 00:05:10

And these effects aren't limited to just potentially preventing Alzheimer's.

Jane: 00:05:13

Okay.

Tom: 00:05:14

They might improve memory in general.

Jane: 00:05:16

Okay. So Resveratrol for a sharper memory. Tell me more.

Tom: 00:05:19

Okay, so resveratrol can increase cerebral blood flow.

Jane: 00:05:23

... which is essential for delivering nutrients and oxygen to your brain.

Tom: 00:05:27

That makes sense.

Jane: 00:05:28

And studies actually show that it can improve memory retention in older adults.

Tom: 00:05:33

Something we all could use, right? More blood flow, better memory. Anything else it does for the brain?

Jane: 00:05:40

It can also enhance connectivity between different brain regions, making your brain work more efficiently.

Tom: 00:05:47

So it's like optimizing our brain's wiring for faster thinking.

Jane: 00:05:50

You got it.

Tom: 00:05:51

That's amazing.

Jane: 00:05:52

And it does this partly by increasing a protein called bdnf.

Tom: 00:05:56

Okay.

Jane: 00:05:57

Which is crucial for brain cell survival and forming new connections.

Tom: 00:06:01

Bdnf. Got it.

Jane: 00:06:02

Yeah.

Tom: 00:06:02

Another brain boosting term to add to my vocabulary.

Jane: 00:06:05

Right.

Tom: 00:06:06

So we've covered longevity, brain health and memory. We have anything else this wonder compound can do?

Jane: 00:06:12

Yeah, there's more.

Tom: 00:06:13

Okay.

Jane: 00:06:13

Resveratrol also has a positive impact on metabolic health.

Tom: 00:06:17

Which is especially important as we age, right?

Jane: 00:06:20

Exactly.

Tom: 00:06:20

Metabolism tends to slow down as we get older. So how can resveratrol help with that?

Jane: 00:06:26

Well, it improves insulin sensitivity.

Tom: 00:06:29

Okay.

Jane: 00:06:29

Which is key for preventing and managing type 2 diabetes.

Tom: 00:06:33

So another potential benefit for those of us watching our blood sugar.

Jane: 00:06:37

Right.

Tom: 00:06:37

How does resveratrol work its magic in this case?

Jane: 00:06:41

So think of it as a metabolic tune up.

Tom: 00:06:44

Okay.

Jane: 00:06:44

It helps your cells use glucose more efficiently, which is great news for managing blood sugar and insulin resistance as we age.

Tom: 00:06:52

Wow. It's like resveratrol is giving our bodies a metabolic makeover.

Jane: 00:06:56

Yeah.

Tom: 00:06:57

Does this mean it can also help with weight management?

Jane: 00:06:59

That's where things get a bit more complicated, because the research on weight loss is kind of mixed with some studies showing promising effects and others being less conclusive.

Tom: 00:07:10

So not a guaranteed weight loss miracle, but it might contribute to a healthier metabolic state.

Jane: 00:07:14

Exactly. And remember that calorie restriction effect we talked about earlier? That could play a role here, too.

Tom: 00:07:20

Tricking our bodies into thinking we're eating less. Makes sense. What about cholesterol?

Jane: 00:07:25

So resveratrol has shown some really impressive results in improving lipid profiles.

Tom: 00:07:32

Now, remind me, those are the good and bad cholesterol numbers we see on our blood tests.

Jane: 00:07:38

Studies show that resveratrol consistently reduces harmful blood lipids like triglycerides and LDL cholesterol, while increasing the good HDL cholesterol.

Tom: 00:07:49

So resveratrol might help keep our hearts healthy, too, as we age.

Jane: 00:07:53

Indeed.

Tom: 00:07:54

This is all fantastic information, but if resveratrol has so many potential benefits, why aren't we all taking it already?

Jane: 00:08:03

That's a great question.

Tom: 00:08:04

Yeah.

Jane: 00:08:04

And it really highlights the importance of ongoing research.

While the studies we've discussed are very promising, we still need more large scale human trials to confirm these findings, determine optimal dosages and understand those long term effects.

Tom: 00:08:21

Always good to be thorough.

Jane: 00:08:22

Absolutely.

Tom: 00:08:23

But it sounds like incorporating resveratrol into our diets, either through foods or supplements, could be a smart move for those of us.

Jane: 00:08:30

Yeah, I think so.

Tom: 00:08:31

Who want to age.

Jane: 00:08:32

Well, for sure.

Tom: 00:08:33

All right, so let's dive a little deeper into how resveratrol works.

Jane: 00:08:36

Okay.

Tom: 00:08:37

I'm ready for that cellular deep dive.

Jane: 00:08:39

Perfect. We've touched on some of this already, but it's worth taking a closer look. First, resveratrol's potent antioxidant properties.

Tom: 00:08:47

Now, those are the good guys that fight free radicals, right?

Jane: 00:08:50

Exactly. Free radicals are those unstable molecules that can damage our cells and contribute to aging and disease.

Tom: 00:08:58

Right.

Jane: 00:08:58

Antioxidants are like the superheroes. They come in and neutralize them, protecting our cells.

Tom: 00:09:05

Okay.

Jane: 00:09:05

Resveratrol is a super powerful antioxidant.

Tom: 00:09:09

Wow.

Jane: 00:09:09

Especially effective against the peroxyl radical.

Tom: 00:09:12

Peroxyl radical, Got it. Yeah. Another villain in the aging story.

Jane: 00:09:16

Right.

Tom: 00:09:16

And resveratrol is there to save the day.

Jane: 00:09:18

You got it.

Tom: 00:09:19

What about inflammation?

Jane: 00:09:20

Yes.

Tom: 00:09:21

We know chronic inflammation can contribute to a lot of age related problems. Does resveratrol have any impact there?

Jane: 00:09:27

Absolutely. It has potent anti inflammatory properties as well.

Tom: 00:09:32

Okay.

Jane: 00:09:32

It targets a bunch of pathways that are involved in the inflammatory process, helping to reduce chronic inflammation throughout the whole body.

Tom: 00:09:40

So it's like resveratrol is calming down those inflammatory fires that contribute to aging and disease.

Jane: 00:09:46

Yeah, you could say that.

Tom: 00:09:47

That's a good way to think about it.

Jane: 00:09:48

Yeah.

Tom: 00:09:49

And remember those sirtuins we mentioned earlier?

Jane: 00:09:51

Yes.

Tom: 00:09:51

Resveratrol activates them.

Jane: 00:09:53

Exactly.

Tom: 00:09:54

And those are the longevity promoting proteins, right?

Jane: 00:09:56

Yes. Sirtuins play a key role in regulating cellular processes, including inflammation.

And their activation by resveratrol has been linked to a bunch of positive effects.

Tom: 00:10:09

Oh, wow.

Jane: 00:10:09

From improving metabolic health to protecting against neurodegenerative diseases.

Tom: 00:10:15

So boosting sirtuin activity is a good thing.

Jane: 00:10:17

Yeah.

Tom: 00:10:18

Got it. Now, what about those mitochondria?

Jane: 00:10:21

Okay.

Tom: 00:10:21

We know they're essential for energy production. But how does resveratrol fit into that picture?

Jane: 00:10:28

We touched on this a bit earlier. But resveratrol seems to enhance mitochondrial function, which is super crucial for maintaining cellular health and energy levels.

Tom: 00:10:38

Keeping those energy powerhouses running smoothly.

Jane: 00:10:41

Exactly.

Tom: 00:10:42

Okay.

Jane: 00:10:42

And it does this in several ways.

Tom: 00:10:44

Okay.

Jane: 00:10:45

For one, it can increase mitochondrial biogenesis. It helps create new mitochondria.

Tom: 00:10:50

Wow.

Jane: 00:10:51

More mitochondria means more energy for you.

Tom: 00:10:53

I like that.

Jane: 00:10:54

Right?

Tom: 00:10:55

Yeah.

Jane: 00:10:55

And resveratrol can also improve the efficiency of existing mitochondria, making sure they're working at their best.

Tom: 00:11:02

Okay, so it's optimizing both the quantity and the quality of those little energy factories.

Jane: 00:11:07

Exactly.

Tom: 00:11:07

That's fantastic.

: 00:11:08

It is.

Jane: 00:11:09

And remember, mitochondrial dysfunction is a big hallmark of aging.

Tom: 00:11:13

Right.

Jane: 00:11:13

So by enhancing their function, resveratrol may actually be helping to slow down the aging process itself.

Tom: 00:11:20

Fascinating.

Jane: 00:11:21

Right?

Tom: 00:11:22

It's like resveratrol is giving our cells a youthful boost.

Jane: 00:11:25

I like that analogy.

Tom: 00:11:27

All right, we've covered antioxidants, inflammation and mitochondria.

Jane: 00:11:32

Yeah.

Tom: 00:11:32

What else is happening at the cellular level when resveratrol comes into play?

Jane: 00:11:36

Well, resveratrol also regulates apoptosis.

Tom: 00:11:40

Apoptosis? Remind me what that is again?

Jane: 00:11:43

It's programmed cell death.

Tom: 00:11:45

Oh, right.

Jane: 00:11:46

Yeah. And it's a normal and essential process that gets rid of those damaged or dysfunctional cells, preventing them from causing harm.

Tom: 00:11:55

So like a cellular cleanup crew.

Jane: 00:11:56

Exactly.

Tom: 00:11:57

Getting rid of the troublemakers.

Jane: 00:11:58

Right.

Tom: 00:11:58

Okay.

Jane: 00:11:59

And resveratrol makes sure apoptosis happens when it's supposed to happen.

Tom: 00:12:03

So it's like resveratrol is maintaining order within our cells.

Jane: 00:12:06

Yeah.

Tom: 00:12:06

Keeping things running smoothly.

Jane: 00:12:08

Exactly. And this regulation of apoptosis is another key mechanism behind resveratrol's anti aging effects.

Tom: 00:12:16

Wow.

This is all incredibly interesting, but I know a lot of our 40thru99 listeners are probably thinking, right, okay, how do I actually get more resveratrol into my life?

Jane: 00:12:25

Right. That's the million dollar question.

Tom: 00:12:27

Exactly.

Jane: 00:12:28

So. Well, we mentioned resveratrol is found naturally in foods like grapes, red wine, peanuts, and blueberries.

Tom: 00:12:35

So a glass of red wine with a side of peanuts and blueberries for a resveratrol boost. Sounds good to me.

Jane: 00:12:41

You know, enjoying those foods in moderation can definitely contribute to your resveratrol intake.

Tom: 00:12:47

Okay.

Jane: 00:12:47

But the concentrations are often relatively low.

Tom: 00:12:51

Okay, so maybe not enough to get all those amazing benefits we've discussed.

Jane: 00:12:54

Right.

Tom: 00:12:55

What about supplements?

Jane: 00:12:56

That's where resveratrol supplements come in.

Tom: 00:12:58

Okay.

Jane: 00:12:58

They can offer a more concentrated and consistent dose.

Tom: 00:13:01

Okay.

Jane: 00:13:02

Making it easier to achieve those therapeutic levels.

Tom: 00:13:05

Resveratrol supplements. Got it.

Jane: 00:13:06

Yeah.

Tom: 00:13:07

That's like a pretty practical way to add it to our routines.

Jane: 00:13:09

Uh huh.

Tom: 00:13:10

Any tips on choosing a good supplement?

Jane: 00:13:13

Yeah, quality is key.

Tom: 00:13:14

Okay.

Jane: 00:13:15

Look for a supplement from a reputable brand that's been independently tested for purity and potency. You don't want to be swallowing mystery ingredients.

Tom: 00:13:25

Definitely not.

Jane: 00:13:25

And of course, talk to your doctor before starting any new supplements.

Tom: 00:13:29

Especially if you have any underlying health conditions.

Jane: 00:13:31

Right.

Tom: 00:13:31

Or take other medications.

Jane: 00:13:33

Exactly.

Tom: 00:13:34

Okay. Great advice. Choosing a high quality supplement and checking with our doctor are key.

Jane: 00:13:39

Absolutely.

Tom: 00:13:40

Wow. This deep dive into resveratrol has been incredible.

Jane: 00:13:44

Yeah. It's really fascinating stuff.

Tom: 00:13:46

We've learned so much about its potential benefits and how it works.

Jane: 00:13:50

Absolutely.

Tom: 00:13:51

I'm feeling inspired to add some resveratrol to my life.

Jane: 00:13:54

Great.

Tom: 00:13:54

I think I need to try that Japanese knotweed tea.

Jane: 00:13:57

Yeah. Let me know how it is.

Tom: 00:13:59

But before we wrap up.

Jane: 00:14:00

Okay.

Tom: 00:14:01

I want to hear your final thoughts on resveratrol. For our 40thru99 listeners who are looking to age well. What's the main takeaway message here?

Jane: 00:14:11

Well, resveratrol shows a lot of promise for those of us looking to age well.

And the research we explored today highlights a ton of potential benefits, from longevity and brain health to metabolic function and even potential weight management.

Tom: 00:14:27

So not a fountain of youth, but a potential tool in our healthy aging arsenal.

Jane: 00:14:32

You got it.

Tom: 00:14:32

Okay.

Jane: 00:14:33

While research is ongoing, incorporating resveratrol rich foods or supplements, after consulting with your doctor, of course.

Tom: 00:14:40

Of course.

Jane: 00:14:41

Could be a valuable strategy for supporting your wellbeing as you age.