Although heart disease remains the #1 one killer for Americans, there seems to be far more fear and mystery associated with cancer. It’s certainly understandable that heart disease is less daunting. Unlike cancer, it typically issues many warnings along the way, such as elevated cholesterol levels, chronic inflammation, high blood pressure, etc. And heart disease tends to be fairly reversible, even in the later stages. Cancer is quite a different story. Few would disagree that because there is no “cure” and treatment options are agonizingly expensive, that all efforts we can make towards prevention are not only valuable─they may be lifesaving.
So how can you minimize your cancer risk? Fortunately, most of the lifestyle choices that help protect you from heart disease, stroke and diabetes also cut your cancer risk. Here are 5 key actions you can take:
• Avoid tobacco, in all forms, all the time
• Reach─and maintain─a healthy body weight
• Swap the white flour items for whole grains like brown rice and oatmeal
• Boost your daily intake of fresh, colorful fruits and vegetables
• Enjoy wine─especially red─in moderation
Wait, what was that last one? Yes, you read it right, though moderation is important. Too much wine─especially for women─and you may reverse the cancer-fighting benefits. So, just how does a daily glass of red wine help you defy cancer? It turns out that along with being heart-healthy, resveratrol-rich red wine exhibits specific anticancer properties, like its ability to suppress the spread of a wide range of tumor cells, including lymphoid and myeloid cancers; cancers of the breast, prostate, stomach, colon, pancreas, and thyroid; melanoma; head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and ovarian and cervical carcinomas. Wow, what a list!
Apparently, resveratrol concentrates in the liver and kidneys, protecting you from the multi-step process of carcinogenesis at various stages. It blocks the activation of carcinogens as well as suppressing tumor initiation, promotion, and progression.1 The European Journal of Cancer Research chimes in, stating that wine consumption may decrease the risk of cancer at several sites including cancer of the upper digestive tract, lung, colon, basal cell carcinoma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Moreover, resveratrol inhibits the metabolic activation of carcinogens, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and decreases cancer cell proliferation.2
Many studies have established that resveratrol exerts anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, while also regulating (in your favor) the multiple cellular events associated with cancer development─the "cancer cascade." Studies with resveratrol support its use not only for cancer prevention, but in treatment combinations as well.3
Although there is no magic bullet when it comes to protecting yourself from cancer, there is a series of daily choices that in total make a profound difference in both short term health and longevity down the line. So, embrace your wellness. A votre santé!
1 Anticancer Res. 2004 Sep-Oct;24(5A):2783-840
2 Eur J Cancer Prev. 2003 Oct;12(5):417-25
3 Curr Med Chem Anticancer Agents. 2003 Mar;3(2):77-93
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Zinfandel & Cholesterol: What’s the Connection?
You know by now that wine promotes a healthy heart, and you’re probably thinking “resveratrol.” Resveratrol certainly is the most widely recognized compound associated with the many health benefits of wine, but there are many other protective compounds that play major roles as well, including antioxidants, polyphenols, procyanidins, flavonoids, stilbenes and saponins. While these compounds have amazing benefits to offer, saponins deserve special mention when it comes to reducing cholesterol levels in the blood, according to Andrew Waterhouse, professor of Oenology at the University of California.1
Saponins, glucose-based plant compounds from the waxy skin of grapes that dissolve into the wine during its fermentation process, may rival resveratrol when it comes to promoting your health. Only here’s the beauty of it: they’re on the same team. Like resveratrol, saponins help reduce dangerous cholesterol levels, but by different means. While resveratrol appears to block cholesterol oxidation via antioxidant action, saponins work by binding to and preventing the absorption of cholesterol from food. Could this be a core piece in the French Paradox puzzle? It appears that saponins may also affect inflammatory pathways, which could also minimize your risk of heart disease and cancer (see below: Wine & Chronic Inflammation: What You Need to Know).
So what’s the Zinfandel connection? In general, Waterhouse found that while red wine contains up to 10 times the saponin levels as white wine, Zinfandel boasted the highest levels of all. Syrah had the second highest, followed by Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. With wellness in mind, you should target deeply pigmented red wines, which have typically spent the longest time in contact with their grape skins. This should be no hardship if you love rich, bold, complex reds. Also, wines with higher alcohol content are strongly linked with saponin levels, as alcohol may make the saponins more soluble in wine. In fact, the red Zinfandel Waterhouse tested was 16% alcohol. If this exciting information is news to you, it may just call for a toast with a generous glass of Zinfandel─the “saponin star.” In vino veratis!
1 American Chemical Society (2003, September 9). New Cholesterol Fighter Found In Red Wine. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 18, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com? /releases/2003/09/030909070840.htm
Saponins, glucose-based plant compounds from the waxy skin of grapes that dissolve into the wine during its fermentation process, may rival resveratrol when it comes to promoting your health. Only here’s the beauty of it: they’re on the same team. Like resveratrol, saponins help reduce dangerous cholesterol levels, but by different means. While resveratrol appears to block cholesterol oxidation via antioxidant action, saponins work by binding to and preventing the absorption of cholesterol from food. Could this be a core piece in the French Paradox puzzle? It appears that saponins may also affect inflammatory pathways, which could also minimize your risk of heart disease and cancer (see below: Wine & Chronic Inflammation: What You Need to Know).
So what’s the Zinfandel connection? In general, Waterhouse found that while red wine contains up to 10 times the saponin levels as white wine, Zinfandel boasted the highest levels of all. Syrah had the second highest, followed by Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. With wellness in mind, you should target deeply pigmented red wines, which have typically spent the longest time in contact with their grape skins. This should be no hardship if you love rich, bold, complex reds. Also, wines with higher alcohol content are strongly linked with saponin levels, as alcohol may make the saponins more soluble in wine. In fact, the red Zinfandel Waterhouse tested was 16% alcohol. If this exciting information is news to you, it may just call for a toast with a generous glass of Zinfandel─the “saponin star.” In vino veratis!
1 American Chemical Society (2003, September 9). New Cholesterol Fighter Found In Red Wine. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 18, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com? /releases/2003/09/030909070840.htm
Wine & Chronic Inflammation: What You Need to Know
As we continue to learn more about the many health benefits of wine, it comes to light that red wine in particular may help minimize disease-promoting, chronic inflammation in your body. Inflammation is, by definition, the body's basic response to injury, enabling your white blood cells to protect you from infection and foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses. In fact, your body’s basic inflammatory response─acute inflammation─is necessary to your survival.
Chronic inflammation however, which occurs when your pro-inflammatory immune cells are stimulated unnecessarily, is a different story. It appears that chronic, low-level inflammation─in response to stresses like smoking, high cholesterol and obesity─promotes the buildup of fatty deposits in the inner lining of the arteries called arterial plaques. These plaques can rupture, creating blood clots, leading to heart attack or stroke. Excessive inflammation is considered a critical factor in many diseases, including cancer, obesity, type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases. Inflammation levels in the body may be elevated years before one actually experiences a heart attack or stroke.
How do you know if you have dangerously elevated, chronic inflammation? The most widely used means of measuring inflammation levels in your body is the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein test (hsCRP). High levels of inflammation, as indicated by elevated C-reactive protein, have been associated with a greater risk of stroke as well as an increased rate of atherosclerosis progression. High C-reactive protein is also highly predictive of recurrent heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and cardiovascular death.1
So what's the good news? Well,if you’re interested in optimal health, it’s nice to know that you have some control over your own inflammation levels. You can minimize your risk of chronic inflammation by regular exercise, maintaining a healthy body weight, and increasing your intake of inflammation-fighting substances like red wine. Due to the complex mixture of bioactive compounds wine contains, including flavonols, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, and resveratrol, this unique beverage may help prevent age-related disorders like neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.2
Other clinical studies have suggested that red wine polyphenols can delay the development of atherosclerosis through their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.3 Phenolic compounds like resveratrol in red wine have shown anti-inflammatory activity in vitro and in vivo, protecting you by modifying pro-inflammatory gene expression.4 Other research shows that red wine helps to reduce plasma fibrinogen─the soluble protein that forms dangerous blood clots─while also decreasing C-reactive protein.5
In one study, Spanish researchers found that after four weeks of drinking two glasses of wine per day, women showed reduced blood levels of C-reactive protein, while their “good” (HDL) cholesterol increased measurably. Red wine had a more pronounced effect than white wine due to its higher concentration of antioxidant polyphenols like resveratrol. According to Dr. Sacanella who led the study, people who drink moderate amounts of wine─about a glass or two per day─may lower their risk of dying from heart disease by nearly one-third compared with non-drinkers. He advises that “a person who usually drinks up to this quantity of alcohol should maintain this healthy habit."6
There's no magic bullet to longevity, but rather a series of ingredients in a recipe for great health. And clearly, wine is one that you can feel good about including in moderation. Cheers!
1 J Periodontol. 2008 Aug;79(8 Suppl):1544-51
2 Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2009 Sep;33(9):1513-23. Epub 2009 Jun 10
3 Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2010 Jan 21. [Epub ahead of print]
4 Ann Ist Super Sanita. 2007;43(4):394-405
5 Atherosclerosis. 2004 Jul;175(1):117-23
6 Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Nov;86(5):1463-9.
Chronic inflammation however, which occurs when your pro-inflammatory immune cells are stimulated unnecessarily, is a different story. It appears that chronic, low-level inflammation─in response to stresses like smoking, high cholesterol and obesity─promotes the buildup of fatty deposits in the inner lining of the arteries called arterial plaques. These plaques can rupture, creating blood clots, leading to heart attack or stroke. Excessive inflammation is considered a critical factor in many diseases, including cancer, obesity, type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases. Inflammation levels in the body may be elevated years before one actually experiences a heart attack or stroke.
How do you know if you have dangerously elevated, chronic inflammation? The most widely used means of measuring inflammation levels in your body is the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein test (hsCRP). High levels of inflammation, as indicated by elevated C-reactive protein, have been associated with a greater risk of stroke as well as an increased rate of atherosclerosis progression. High C-reactive protein is also highly predictive of recurrent heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and cardiovascular death.1
So what's the good news? Well,if you’re interested in optimal health, it’s nice to know that you have some control over your own inflammation levels. You can minimize your risk of chronic inflammation by regular exercise, maintaining a healthy body weight, and increasing your intake of inflammation-fighting substances like red wine. Due to the complex mixture of bioactive compounds wine contains, including flavonols, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, and resveratrol, this unique beverage may help prevent age-related disorders like neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.2
Other clinical studies have suggested that red wine polyphenols can delay the development of atherosclerosis through their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.3 Phenolic compounds like resveratrol in red wine have shown anti-inflammatory activity in vitro and in vivo, protecting you by modifying pro-inflammatory gene expression.4 Other research shows that red wine helps to reduce plasma fibrinogen─the soluble protein that forms dangerous blood clots─while also decreasing C-reactive protein.5
In one study, Spanish researchers found that after four weeks of drinking two glasses of wine per day, women showed reduced blood levels of C-reactive protein, while their “good” (HDL) cholesterol increased measurably. Red wine had a more pronounced effect than white wine due to its higher concentration of antioxidant polyphenols like resveratrol. According to Dr. Sacanella who led the study, people who drink moderate amounts of wine─about a glass or two per day─may lower their risk of dying from heart disease by nearly one-third compared with non-drinkers. He advises that “a person who usually drinks up to this quantity of alcohol should maintain this healthy habit."6
There's no magic bullet to longevity, but rather a series of ingredients in a recipe for great health. And clearly, wine is one that you can feel good about including in moderation. Cheers!
1 J Periodontol. 2008 Aug;79(8 Suppl):1544-51
2 Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2009 Sep;33(9):1513-23. Epub 2009 Jun 10
3 Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2010 Jan 21. [Epub ahead of print]
4 Ann Ist Super Sanita. 2007;43(4):394-405
5 Atherosclerosis. 2004 Jul;175(1):117-23
6 Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Nov;86(5):1463-9.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Understanding the French Paradox
Many Americans are familiar with this phrase, especially those who appreciate wine. The paradox─which generally means something that is the opposite of what it should be─is the irony that the French have a lower incidence of heart disease than Americans, despite having a diet far higher in saturated fats. In fact, data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) indicates that the French actually eat four times as much butter, 60% more cheese, and nearly three times as much pork as Americans.
The term French Paradox was coined in 1992 by Dr. Serge Renaud─a scientist from Bordeaux University in France─after he completed his study of French men observing that their incidence of heart disease was only 40% of that experienced by American men. Dr. Renaud determined that moderate, daily wine consumption appeared to be the "key" to the Paradox, with his study finding that 2-3 glasses of wine per day wine reduced male death rates from all diseases by up to 30%.1 Many other studies have provided strong evidence linking moderate alcohol consumption with a reduced risk of heart disease, which is still the leading cause of death for Americans.2-6 In fact, drinking alcohol in moderation appears to reduce mortality from all causes by 30-50%.8
When 60 Minutes broadcast the French Paradox hypotheses in 1991─explained by both Dr. Renaud and Dr. R. Curtis Ellison of Boston University School of Medicine─the concept became an international phenomenon. Perhaps it’s no surprise that American wine consumption increased by over 40% as a result, which surely caused chuckles around French dinner tables. What bears noting is that although these breakthroughs occurred nearly 20 years ago, evidence has been mounting ever since to support the hypotheses that wine promotes a healthy heart, among other benefits. Stay tuned to learn more about the many ways that wine can promote your wellness.
1 The Lancet, Volume 355, Issue 9197, Pages 48 - 48 B
2 Age Ageing. 2009 Mar;38(2):206-12. Epub 2009 Jan 7
3 BMJ. 1996 Mar 23;312(7033):731-6
4 BMJ. 1996 Aug 10;313(7053):365
5 ACP J Club. 1996 Sep-Oct;125(2):50-1
6 BMJ. 1996 Aug 10;313(7053):365-6
7 BMJ. 1996 Dec 14;313(7071):1555; author reply 1555-6.
8 BMJ Vol310May1995
The term French Paradox was coined in 1992 by Dr. Serge Renaud─a scientist from Bordeaux University in France─after he completed his study of French men observing that their incidence of heart disease was only 40% of that experienced by American men. Dr. Renaud determined that moderate, daily wine consumption appeared to be the "key" to the Paradox, with his study finding that 2-3 glasses of wine per day wine reduced male death rates from all diseases by up to 30%.1 Many other studies have provided strong evidence linking moderate alcohol consumption with a reduced risk of heart disease, which is still the leading cause of death for Americans.2-6 In fact, drinking alcohol in moderation appears to reduce mortality from all causes by 30-50%.8
When 60 Minutes broadcast the French Paradox hypotheses in 1991─explained by both Dr. Renaud and Dr. R. Curtis Ellison of Boston University School of Medicine─the concept became an international phenomenon. Perhaps it’s no surprise that American wine consumption increased by over 40% as a result, which surely caused chuckles around French dinner tables. What bears noting is that although these breakthroughs occurred nearly 20 years ago, evidence has been mounting ever since to support the hypotheses that wine promotes a healthy heart, among other benefits. Stay tuned to learn more about the many ways that wine can promote your wellness.
1 The Lancet, Volume 355, Issue 9197, Pages 48 - 48 B
2 Age Ageing. 2009 Mar;38(2):206-12. Epub 2009 Jan 7
3 BMJ. 1996 Mar 23;312(7033):731-6
4 BMJ. 1996 Aug 10;313(7053):365
5 ACP J Club. 1996 Sep-Oct;125(2):50-1
6 BMJ. 1996 Aug 10;313(7053):365-6
7 BMJ. 1996 Dec 14;313(7071):1555; author reply 1555-6.
8 BMJ Vol310May1995
Wine and Metabolic Syndrome
Though we’ve all heard of diabetes, Americans are often less familiar with a disorder that can gain a foothold diabetes is actually diagnosed: metabolic syndrome. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, metabolic syndrome refers to a group of risk factors linked to being overweight and/or obese that increase your chance for heart disease and other health problems such as diabetes and stroke. This syndrome is surprisingly prevalent in our culture. In fact, some studies estimate that up to 25% of the American population is affected. 1
How do you know if you have metabolic syndrome, also referred to as syndrome X? The National Cholesterol Education Programmmes Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEPATP III) clinical definition of the metabolic syndrome requires the presence of at least three risk factors, from among these five:2
• Excess abdominal fat (apple shape)
• Low levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol
• High plasma triacylglycerols
• High blood pressure
• High fasting glucose
If you think you’re courting metabolic syndrome─or just want to ensure you keep it at bay─you should know that it is highly preventable with some basic, healthy lifestyle tactics. These include quitting smoking, moderate daily exercise, consuming a diet rich in fresh produce with minimal trans fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and salt, and trimming excess body weight. You also need to monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. You may be surprised to learn that there’s something else that may help, which you might actually enjoy: a daily glass or two of red wine.
Recent studies have demonstrated multiple beneficial effects of moderate wine consumption in protecting you from developing metabolic syndrome (MetS) and from its related medical complications. In fact, the association between moderate wine consumption and lower incidence of the MetS and atherosclerotic heart disease has been repeatedly documented in numerous studies on diverse ethnic groups.3
Additional research indicates that resveratrol from red wine can protect against the metabolic changes associated with high calorie diets in mice with induced insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia, detailing how resveratrol can help prevent the dangerous effects of effects of overeating, and prevent cardiovascular events.4 Dyslipidemia refers to any of several lipid abnormalities, including high levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, low levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol and high triglycerides (non-cholesterol fats).
Both low HDL and high triglycerides increase your risk of developing MetS, while all three boost your risk of heart attack. Alcohol in general, consumed in moderation is associated with a decreased incidence of metabolic syndrome and beneficial effects on plasma lipid levels, waist circumference and fasting plasma glucose (blood sugar).
Of all the components of metabolic syndrome, alcohol is most helpful in boosting HDL(“good)” cholesterol levels. However, the benefits are more pronounced among red wine drinkers because red wine polyphenols increase the activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), an enzyme which plays a key role in the development of metabolic syndrome. Decreased activity of this enzyme contributes to the development of insulin resistance, arterial hypertension and dyslipidemia.5
If you’re really health conscious, you may want to pay special attention to even one or two indicators of metabolic syndrome. The good news is that this syndrome is largely preventable with small daily adjustments. Take today for instance. How about an afternoon walk, a big, veggie-laden salad with dinner, and a glass of Zinfandel? Some would call that the good life. Here’s to your health!
1 Syndrome JAMA 287(3):356-359. PMID 11790215
2 Cell Biochem Funct. 2006 Jul-Aug;24(4):291-8
3 Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets(Formerly Current Dru, Volume 8, Number 2, June 2008 , pp. 89-98(10)
4 J Cardiometab Syndr. 2009 Spring;4(2):102-6
5 Pol Arch Med Wewn. 2007 Jul;117(7):306-11
How do you know if you have metabolic syndrome, also referred to as syndrome X? The National Cholesterol Education Programmmes Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEPATP III) clinical definition of the metabolic syndrome requires the presence of at least three risk factors, from among these five:2
• Excess abdominal fat (apple shape)
• Low levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol
• High plasma triacylglycerols
• High blood pressure
• High fasting glucose
If you think you’re courting metabolic syndrome─or just want to ensure you keep it at bay─you should know that it is highly preventable with some basic, healthy lifestyle tactics. These include quitting smoking, moderate daily exercise, consuming a diet rich in fresh produce with minimal trans fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and salt, and trimming excess body weight. You also need to monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. You may be surprised to learn that there’s something else that may help, which you might actually enjoy: a daily glass or two of red wine.
Recent studies have demonstrated multiple beneficial effects of moderate wine consumption in protecting you from developing metabolic syndrome (MetS) and from its related medical complications. In fact, the association between moderate wine consumption and lower incidence of the MetS and atherosclerotic heart disease has been repeatedly documented in numerous studies on diverse ethnic groups.3
Additional research indicates that resveratrol from red wine can protect against the metabolic changes associated with high calorie diets in mice with induced insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia, detailing how resveratrol can help prevent the dangerous effects of effects of overeating, and prevent cardiovascular events.4 Dyslipidemia refers to any of several lipid abnormalities, including high levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, low levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol and high triglycerides (non-cholesterol fats).
Both low HDL and high triglycerides increase your risk of developing MetS, while all three boost your risk of heart attack. Alcohol in general, consumed in moderation is associated with a decreased incidence of metabolic syndrome and beneficial effects on plasma lipid levels, waist circumference and fasting plasma glucose (blood sugar).
Of all the components of metabolic syndrome, alcohol is most helpful in boosting HDL(“good)” cholesterol levels. However, the benefits are more pronounced among red wine drinkers because red wine polyphenols increase the activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), an enzyme which plays a key role in the development of metabolic syndrome. Decreased activity of this enzyme contributes to the development of insulin resistance, arterial hypertension and dyslipidemia.5
If you’re really health conscious, you may want to pay special attention to even one or two indicators of metabolic syndrome. The good news is that this syndrome is largely preventable with small daily adjustments. Take today for instance. How about an afternoon walk, a big, veggie-laden salad with dinner, and a glass of Zinfandel? Some would call that the good life. Here’s to your health!
1 Syndrome JAMA 287(3):356-359. PMID 11790215
2 Cell Biochem Funct. 2006 Jul-Aug;24(4):291-8
3 Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets(Formerly Current Dru, Volume 8, Number 2, June 2008 , pp. 89-98(10)
4 J Cardiometab Syndr. 2009 Spring;4(2):102-6
5 Pol Arch Med Wewn. 2007 Jul;117(7):306-11
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Red Wine, Healthy Heart
By now, you may know that many of the cardiovascular benefits of red wine have been attributed to a natural compound called resveratrol. Resveratrol is a plant chemical─or polyphenol─found in red grape skin and seeds, among other foods. Red wine contains higher amounts of this compound than white wine because the process of winemaking extracts the polyphenols from the grape seeds and skins. The cardio-protective effects of wine have been attributed to both the alcohol itself, and the natural compounds it contains. Wine features a wide range of antioxidants, including resveratrol, catechins, epicatechins, and a class of flavonoids called proanthocyanidins.
Evidence continues to mount when it comes to resveratrol and heart health. For example, resveratrol-rich red wine has been shown to reduce damage to the heart while minimizing LDL (“bad”) cholesterol) and preventing dangerous blood clotting.1 Researchers have referred to resveratrol as “therapeutic promise for cardiovascular diseases.” At a very low concentration, this natural compound inhibits cell death, thereby protecting the heart from atherosclerosis, life threatening abnormal heartbeats called ventricular arrhythmias, and heart injury associated with poor blood flow. In fact, some scientists feel that resveratrol is literally preventive medicine.2
How else might resveratrol from red wine promote heart health? It appears that resveratrol protects against dangerous blood clots while also acting as a vasodilator, meaning it helps to widen blood vessels for healthy blood flow. All these effects seem to interfere with the development of artery-clogging plaque and blood clots.3 Resveratrol also helps to limit the dangerous effects of cardiac fibrosis─a hardening of the heart tissue that forces it to work harder to pump blood, causing further damage to the muscles that surround it.4
When a meta-analysis was performed on 19 wine/health studies, the conclusion was that 1.5 glasses of wine per day were highly beneficial in preventing cardiovascular events. Although some cardio protective effects were due to the alcohol itself─including boosting HDL (“good”) cholesterol─other heart-protective effects were clearly attributed to the specific actions of rseveratrol described here.5
And this is but a mere glimpse into the many studies detailing the heart-healthy benefits of resveratrol from red wine. Given the fact that cardiovascular disease remains the #1 killer for Americans, this information seems not only vitally important, but well worth a hearty toast─within the context of an overall healthy lifestyle, of course. Cheers!
1Int J Mol Med. 2001 Jul;8(1):3-17
2Recent Pat Cardiovasc Drug Discov. 2007 Jun;2(2):133-8
3Arch Mal Coeur Vaiss. 2006 Dec;99(12):1230-5
4 Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2005 Mar;288(3):H1131-8. Epub 2004 Oct 21
5 Ital Heart J. 2001 Jan;2(1):1-8.
Evidence continues to mount when it comes to resveratrol and heart health. For example, resveratrol-rich red wine has been shown to reduce damage to the heart while minimizing LDL (“bad”) cholesterol) and preventing dangerous blood clotting.1 Researchers have referred to resveratrol as “therapeutic promise for cardiovascular diseases.” At a very low concentration, this natural compound inhibits cell death, thereby protecting the heart from atherosclerosis, life threatening abnormal heartbeats called ventricular arrhythmias, and heart injury associated with poor blood flow. In fact, some scientists feel that resveratrol is literally preventive medicine.2
How else might resveratrol from red wine promote heart health? It appears that resveratrol protects against dangerous blood clots while also acting as a vasodilator, meaning it helps to widen blood vessels for healthy blood flow. All these effects seem to interfere with the development of artery-clogging plaque and blood clots.3 Resveratrol also helps to limit the dangerous effects of cardiac fibrosis─a hardening of the heart tissue that forces it to work harder to pump blood, causing further damage to the muscles that surround it.4
When a meta-analysis was performed on 19 wine/health studies, the conclusion was that 1.5 glasses of wine per day were highly beneficial in preventing cardiovascular events. Although some cardio protective effects were due to the alcohol itself─including boosting HDL (“good”) cholesterol─other heart-protective effects were clearly attributed to the specific actions of rseveratrol described here.5
And this is but a mere glimpse into the many studies detailing the heart-healthy benefits of resveratrol from red wine. Given the fact that cardiovascular disease remains the #1 killer for Americans, this information seems not only vitally important, but well worth a hearty toast─within the context of an overall healthy lifestyle, of course. Cheers!
1Int J Mol Med. 2001 Jul;8(1):3-17
2Recent Pat Cardiovasc Drug Discov. 2007 Jun;2(2):133-8
3Arch Mal Coeur Vaiss. 2006 Dec;99(12):1230-5
4 Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2005 Mar;288(3):H1131-8. Epub 2004 Oct 21
5 Ital Heart J. 2001 Jan;2(1):1-8.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
