In the natural environment, animals rarely reach the stage of senescence, proposing that the notion of aging is unique to humans. Representing 38.9 million people in the United States, one out of eight is 65 years or older.1 A newborn today has the life expectancy of 75 years as a boy and 80 years as a girl (AOA, Department of Health and Human Services; CDC 2008). Life expectancy is the average total number of years a human anticipates to live, while life span is the maximum number of years a human can live defined by the observed age of death of the oldest human. The most recognizable oldest person, Jeanne Calment – a French woman, lived to be 122.5 years.2 With that being said, life span has remained unchanged, but life expectancy increased almost 30 years in the last century. Today, more than ever, individuals are invested in increasing the longevity of life to maximize not only the quantity of years lived, but the quality.
With an aging population, it is no wonder products promoting healthy aging are so highly sought after and have been vastly developed in recent decades. Due to increased expectations surrounding standards of living and improved productivity later in life, the marketplace has seen an increase in anti-aging offerings. In a market of information overload, it is important to prioritize and validate claims to promote a product. With evidence-based science, resveratrol is no stranger to nutraceuticals and the anti-aging discussion.
Discovered almost seven decades ago, resveratrol (3, 4’, 5-trihydroxystilbene) is a polyphenolic phytoalexin produced naturally as a defense mechanism against environmental stressors by more than 70 species of plants – most commonly in the root of Japanese Knotweed. It can be found as a fat-soluble cis- or trans- isomer, the latter demonstrating more stability. Its bioavailability varies vastly if one consumes it or absorbs it under the tongue, the latter being more bioavailable.3 Trans-Resveratrol-3-O-glucuronides are the most common metabolites found in the plasma after administration. Administrating Resveratrol directly underneath the tongue allows for diffusion directly into the venous circulation. This advantage avoids the challenges of (1) having to be absorbed in the digestive system and (2) subsequent reduction by the liver before actual entrance into systemic circulation.
The popularity of resveratrol stemmed from its abundance in grapevines (Vitis vinifera) used to make red wine.4 Subsequent discussion has strongly suggested resveratrol accompanied by flavonoids (i.e. proanthocyanidins) and other polyphenols found in a full spectrum of grape extract and fermentation process in red wine contribute to “The French Paradox.” This concept has been suggested to explain the relatively high saturated fat-laden diet in France with yet relatively low incidence and prevalence of cardiovascular disease as compared to the United States.5
Although the rich source of resveratrol and other polyphenol compounds in red wine is enthusiastically promoted, one cannot consume enough resveratrol with moderate consumption of red wine. This reality has already ignited investments by pharmaceutical and nutraceutical companies to study and produce pure and stable extracts to provide suggested beneficial levels. It is no wonder resveratrol is among the top 10 anti-aging developments of the last three years and continues to be studied.