The benefits of red wine, more specifically the resveratrol component of red wine, have been well publicized ever since the September 2003 article in Nature, which detailed the molecule’s ability to extend the life of yeast cells. But resveratrol’s biggest claim to fame is its probable responsibility for the French Paradox – the fact that the red wine-drinking French have one-third the mortality from coronary heart disease as North Americans. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Resveratrol has passed the safety arm of three current ongoing human studies, two NIH cancer studies and one study by Sirtris Pharmaceuticals relating to diabetes.

The most notable aspect of the Sirtris research that’s ramped up a huge market buzz is the ability of resveratrol to slow the body’s aging process. The news is so revolutionary that it merited a write up in the February 5, 2007 issue of Fortune magazine. In a nutshell, resveratrol improves mitochondrial function and protects against metabolic disease by activating the SIRT1 enzyme, which stimulates the generation of new mitochondria in other bodily tissue, boosting the body’s metabolic rate and possibly slowing the effects of aging.

According to Bill Sardi, president, Resveratrol Partners LLC, (dba Longevinex), San Dimas, CA, these most recent developments within the supplement industry are but a mild ripple in relation to resveratrol’s market potential. “Resveratrol has limitless applications, since it is an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-estrogen, liver cleansing, anti-blood clotting, bone building, mood elevating, blood sugar-normalizing, HDL cholesterol-boosting, cancer fighting, brain cleansing molecule (eradicates beta amyloid plaque from the brain, believed to be the cause of Alzheimer’s disease),” he said. “As a drug, resveratrol may one day be used to treat fresh heart attacks and strokes, diabetes, as well as brain trauma.”

One hindrance to resveratrol’s growth is its inherently fragile nature. It’s vulnerable to molecular alteration from exposure to UV light (photoisomerization), which converts trans resveratrol to cis resveratrol, a form of the molecule that does not activate the Sirtuin 1 DNA-repair “survival” gene, believed to be largely responsible for the longevity promoted by resveratrol. “This may limit its use in foods, snack bars and beverages. Resveratrol does not withstand heat pasteurization in grape juice either,” observed Mr. Sardi. “A highly bioavailable version of resveratrol, which has been developed by Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, is now undergoing human trials as a diabetes drug.

Promising Formulations

As the resveratrol buzz reaches a fever pitch, companies will no doubt clamor to add a resveratrol product to their supplement lineup. But be warned, not all resveratrol products are the same. “Resveratrol compound is a naturally occurring phytochemical found in over 70 different types of plant species,” explained Antoine Dauby, marketing manager for Naturex Inc., South Hackensack, NJ. “Although Naturex offers a complete line of resveratrol extracts from grape skin (the most well known source of resveratrol), Naturex is also able to extract a much higher concentration of resveratrol from the Huzhang plant (Polygonum cuspidatum), commonly known as Japanese knotweed. This plant has been used in traditional Chinese medicine since the first century BC.”

Mr. Dauby said Naturex’s scientists have analyzed the Huzhang plant in depth, and have developed proprietary procedures for extracting the highest known concentrations of resveratrol from the plant. “This patented process allows for the production of powerful extracts with up to 98% purity,” he said. “Our scientists have also established a specific analytical method to guarantee the standardization level using our HPLC (Naturex owns more than 20 HPLC in-house). Standardization ensures a consistent and efficient amount of resveratrol.”

“The interest towards resveratrol is rocket climbing and so are the prices,” said Charlene Lee, director of marketing and sales for Cyvex Nutrition Inc.. Irvine, CA. “Companies are looking for highly concentrated extracts which drives the manufacturers to improve their extraction methods and develop better products.”

Cyvex’s BioVin full spectrum grape extract containing resveratrol, on the market since 1996, was recently complemented by the launch of a more potent grape/red wine extract called BioVin Advanced.

Much of the focus of resveratrol has been a result of it being found in wine. But many resveratrol products on the market are based on Polygonum cuspidatum. Jeff Wuagneux, president, RFI, Blauvelt, NY, believes there is going to be more of a need for resveratrol from grapes, which is a GRAS source rather than Polygonum cuspidatum. RFI’s OxyPhyte grape skin is standardized to 10% resveratrol and because it is made from grapes, is a GRAS source of resveratrol. The product is also standardized to an ORAC value.

Longevinex’s eponymous formulation is comprised of a proprietary array of nutrients designed around a “unified theory of aging” (see www.longevinex.com for more details). Longevinex asserts that all aging theories fall under this one theory, that the body ages at the rate at which it accumulates excess iron and calcium. Resveratrol, rice bran extract and quercetin help to control these minerals in special ways. Furthermore, lecithin, rice bran oil and quercetin help to improve resveratrol absorption and immediate bioavailability.

Part of the uniqueness of Longevinex is its airtight encapsulation and delivery system. Wine is stored in airtight, dark, cool bottles to prevent its spoilage and conversion to vinegar. Similarly, pure research-grade resveratrol is provided in opaque, airtight vials that are cold stored, and processed under nitrogen gas. This same process is followed to make Longevinex.

Mr. Sardi believes there is still much work to be done because, as he put it, “resveratrol supplements are currently living off of borrowed science.” “There is not one published study of a resveratrol dietary supplement so far, though resveratrol has been widely studied in lab dishes, animals and in wine,” he noted. Longevinex has launched a human pilot study, which is underway and will be completed sometime this year.

What’s to Come

Public demand for resveratrol products is currently small, but growing according to the Santa Monica, CA-based Rand Corp. think-tank, which budgeted an “anti-aging pill” into the future Medicare budget, signaling that the government sees the potential for this type of pill. But modern medicine is slow to adopt new technologies, especially one like resveratrol that would replace so many drugs. “Recognize that resveratrol, as a small molecule, can pass through cell walls and enter the cell nucleus that houses DNA, and favorably switch an untold number of genes, far more than current gene-targeted drugs,” said Mr. Sardi. “Resveratrol is part of a paradigm change. Chronic disease is mostly age-related. If aging can be slowed, which is what resveratrol promises, then the onset of age-related disease can be delayed for many years. This would result in an increased health span for adult Americans. And why treat each age-related disease when aging itself can be slowed?”