The total benefits of resveratrol are yet to be uncovered.  We have known for years that the antioxidant decreases our risk of cancer and heart disease, if it is taken in a bio-active form called trans-resveratrol, which can be absorbed through the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream.  Of course, if you buy cheap supplements or the wrong red wine, you are not likely to get the benefit.

The resveratrol-content of red wine varies, depending on where the grapes grew and how long the grapes were allowed to ferment with the skins still intact.  It is the skin of certain types of red grapes that contain the largest amount and that amount increases as the grapes are allowed to ferment.  Red grape juice is not a good source of the antioxidant, because it is not fermented.

To a lesser extent, the antioxidant is present in boiled peanuts, but raw ones have only a tiny amount.  It also occurs in large amounts in some medicinal plants, such as Japanese knotweed root.   The purpose of the antioxidant in the plant world is to protect it from disease, toxins and UV radiation from the sun.

Most healthcare experts recommend a good supplement, rather than a dietary source, because the resveratrol-concentration is more uniform and there is no risk of liver damage or alcohol abuse that can occur among red wine drinkers.

Of course, in order to determine the potency, a manufacture must test the raw ingredients.  The best manufacturer guarantees that 50mg of their extract will contain 50% trans-resveratrol.  If you do a little shopping around, you will see that most manufacturers neither list the amount or the potency.  If they do, you usually get a 25% trans-resveratrol concentration, which is not likely to be of any benefit.

But, let’s get to what those benefits are.  It is obviously very exciting, because it has researchers from around the world conducting studies.  Here are some of the things that they’ve been saying. 

• May help prevent colon, breast, stomach, throat and other types of cancer
• Increases insulin sensitivity, decreases unhealthy blood sugar levels, but does not cause     low blood sugar levels
• Extends the lifespan of short-lived fish
• Reduces inflammation, improves bone density, slows bone degeneration and may reduce the risk of head and neck cancer
• May be useful in treating antibiotic resistant infections
• Protects against the damaging affects of UV radiation (may prove beneficial for cancer patients requiring radiation therapy)
• Helps prevent heart disease

With all of this good news, there is a little bad news about the supplement industry.  In November, 2007, an independent laboratory tested 13 resveratrol supplements to determine if the potency listed on the label was accurate.  Only two  passed the test, but this supports the notion that you need to choose your supplements carefully.

Here’s my advice.  Your best choice for supplementation is one that contains resveratrol, carnosine, SAM-e and your basic vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.  If you tried to take these supplements individually, you would spend a lot more money and get only limited benefit.   See my website for more specific advice. -Thanks, Larry

Larry L. Taylor
http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/what-are-the-benefits-of-resveratrol-732218.html

My moms doctor told her that she has to drink a glass of red wine every night to get her good cholesterol levels up a little. What would be the best red wine for that? And it has to taste good.

I like Cabernet Sauvignon.

What are the benefits of green tea?  Is it better to drink the beverage or take a supplement that contains green tea extract?  Here you can learn about the benefit, as well as some precautions that you should take.

The first studies concerning the benefits of green tea were more like surveys.  Researchers noted the dietary habits of different groups of people from around the world.  They found several paradoxes that they could not explain with the knowledge that they had, at the time.

You have probably read that a high intake of dietary fat contributes to heart disease, high cholesterol and, of course, obesity.  Everyone knows that smoking is bad for your health.  Smokers have an increased risk of lung, stomach and throat cancer, as well as heart disease.  Knowing all of this, when researchers looked at the dietary and lifestyle habits of the Japanese, French and other cultures, there were some things that they could not explain.

Among Japanese smokers, for example, they saw a lower than expected incidence of stomach cancer, throat cancer and heart disease.  They also found that the smokers drank large amounts of green tea (a liter or more) every day.  When these results were released, news reports said that the benefits of green tea drinking “may” include the prevention of heart disease and cancer.

So, we started to see supplements containing green tea extract, mainly for those of us that don’t like the beverage or prefer to avoid the caffeine.  A liter could contain 200mg of caffeine or more, depending on the plant’s age and where it was grown.  Indian teas, for example, typically have more caffeine than those grown in China.

Another paradox was found among the French.  Researchers saw a lower than expected incidence of heart disease, despite a diet that is high in saturated fat.  The connection that they established there was to an antioxidant found in some types of red wine, which is often used for cooking and for drinking.  You may have seen supplements containing resveratrol, because of this link.

You see, over the years, there have been numerous studies concerning naturally occurring substances (antioxidants, anti-inflammatorys, antifungal, etc) found in plants and other sources that provide benefit to a person’s health, but to take any one of these nutrients alone is not likely to provide the desired benefit.  You will get more of the benefits of green tea extract, if a supplement manufacturer took the time to do the research required to determine which nutrients work together and what dosage is appropriate.

The precaution that consumers need to take when drinking the beverage has to do with the caffeine content.  Too much caffeine causes nervousness, anxiety, insomnia and other health problems. 

When it comes to supplements, the product should include no more than 100mg of the extracts.  Some studies indicate that the extracts can be toxic to the liver at high dosages.  You can get the benefits of green tea extract, safely, as long as you choose the right supplement.

Margaret Bell
http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/what-are-the-benefits-of-green-tea-717609.html