Resveratrol in the News #0007:    Resveratrol: Helping People Get a Better Tan

IS BEAUTY ONLY SKIN DEEP?
THE SURPRISE BENEFIT OF LOOKING GOOD ON THE OUTSIDE WHILE TAKING CARE OF THE INSIDE

There is no doubt about it. The Anti-aging Antioxidant Revolution has already begun and is gaining momentum as more and more scientific evidence comes forth. We have catapulted past the days of just taking vitamin and mineral supplements and are now dealing with exciting natural antioxidant compounds. When used in the right combination - synergistically - they can provide greater health benefits than when used alone. The sum of the parts may just be greater than the whole!

Recently, the remarkable news about Resveratrol, found in red wine, created such interest that nearly everyone has had to repeat the name out loud just so they are saying it properly. Examples of its benefits are as follows:

  1. Improves the number, health, and function of the mitochondria, the tiny structures inside almost every cell that produces 95% of our energy.
  2. Helps provide cardiovascular protection against damage from heart attacks and stroke.
  3. May extend life span. Activation of the anti-aging Sirtuin gene.
  4. Reduces oxidation of LDL-cholesterol bad cholesterol) that leads to atherosclerotic plaque formation in the arteries.
  5. Reduces blood clotting from platelet aggregation.
  6. Increases stamina.
  7. Helps to clear the type of plague that can cause Alzheimer's.
  8. Protects skin from UV (Ultraviolet radiation) damage.
  9. Stimulates nitric oxide that supports healthy blood vessels.

Resveratrol, as great as it is alone, loves to be a team player. Therefore, it is imperative to mention these other compounds:

  1. Red wine extract containing 95% Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs, Anthocyanins (grape skin extract), and Catechins (grape leaf extract).
  2. Quercetin.
  3. Alpha Lipoic Acid.
  4. Acetyl L-Carnitine (carnitine).

(The Red wine extracts and Quercetin are all Flavonoid compounds.)
All these compounds also have substantial benefits that are too long to list for the purpose of this article.

Healthy Skin – Healthy Looking Tan

I wish to review the benefits to the skin, most specifically, the tanning benefit that has become quite evident, especially now that we are in the summer season. Of course, this can apply to any situation in any season where there is significant direct or indirect sun radiation exposure. Examples are the beach, the pool, fishing, boating, walking, playing sports outside, tanning salons, driving with the windows or top down, snow skiing, etc., etc., etc.

Flavonoid consumption with the diet has been associated with lowered risks for cardiovascular disease and cancer. The so-called green tea polyphenols, or catechins, have gained attention as protective agents against UV-induced damage. Animal studies provide evidence that the tea polyphenols, when taken orally ameliorate adverse skin reactions following UV exposure, including skin damage, erythema (redness), and lipid peroxidation (oxidation). Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) are phytonutrients (phyto = plant based) that belong to the polyphenol family of antioxidants and possess a high free-radical-scavenging activity.

In addition to their antioxidant properties, the anti-inflammatory effect of OPCs has often been attributed to their ability to increase capillary resistance. OPCs have shown to protect collagen and elastin from degradation by collagenases and elastases. Indications are that there is good anti-inflammatory and skin hydration properties of 2 topical formulations – a cream and a lotion – containing OPCs. Additionally, the results of an important study suggest that a dietary supplementation with OPCs will further support skin care. Considering that the supplementation period in the study was relatively short with supplementation only for 4 weeks prior to the UV erythema test, a longer duration of supplementation or a higher dose of OPCs could establish their role in countering the inflammatory response in UV-induced erythema. The regular use of these products probably benefits skin care, especially as a defense against the development of erythema from UV exposure. It is important to note that the nutritional (taken by mouth) aspect is complementary to topical (placed on the skin) photoprotection. One major aspect regarding dietary photoprotection is the time frame. Another study showed that there is a time of approximately eight to ten weeks when protection against erythema formation becomes significant. Skin turnover and skin biochemistry therefore require this time frame, whereas protection by topical sunscreen is practically instantaneous.

Resveratrol taken orally also protects the skin from damage that leads to skin cancer. Remember, the same kind of damage that causes cancer also causes your skin to become leathery and wrinkled. Alpha lipoic acid also inhibits a protein molecule called NF-kB that triggers inflammation chemicals called cytokines. Alpha lipoic acid inhibits NF-kB better than any other antioxidant. It blocks the inflammatory enzymes that damage collagen fibers so that your skin stays smooth and flexible. It also prevents glycation that makes collagen stiff and rigid. Acetyl L-carnitine is necessary for the mitochondria to produce energy. It transports the right kind of fatty acids into the mitochondria for fuel, takes toxic waste out of the mitochondria, and delivers more fuel. Without enough acetyl l-carnitine your mitochondria won't be able to keep working and produce that beautiful energetic glow that lights up your skin. Red-wine polyphenols help generate nitric oxide. Nitric oxide stimulates the synthesis of collagen and subsequent healing of wound sites and damage to the skin. Healthy levels of nitric oxide scavenge some of the most damaging free radicals. Nitric oxide keeps the endothelial lining of blood vessel healthy and is critically important to keeping your skin as well as your heart and your love life in good shape.

Synergy is still the best strategy. It is wise to include an oral supplement of Red wine extract, Resveratrol, Quercetin, Alpha lipoic acid, and Acetyl L-carnitine if you are in the sun a lot. I enjoy being outdoors. I do not enjoy having to use heavy sunscreens every time I may be exposed to increased amounts of sun radiation. Certainly, taking Revatrol consistently over a significant period of time has afforded me the opportunity to allow these antioxidant compounds to penetrate all my organs. Remember, skin is the human body's largest organ system.

My personal observations are as follows:

  1. I have found that I obtain a deeper, healthier-looking, darker tan that is also much longer lasting than before I started consistently taking Revatrol. This is especially evident a week after I had returned from a recent beach vacation. This same effect has been duplicated as well from short weekend excursions where there was increased sun exposure.
  2. As I tan I find that I have avoided getting that pinkish to reddish lobster; shade of sunburn that is all too common in many people if they don't use a lot of sunscreen. I like having an even healthy tan appearance, rather than a paler look that would occur if I gobbed on a high SPF sunscreen all over.
  3. On a day where the sunburn index is particularly high, I have taken a full dose aspirin 325 mg, (not Tylenol or Advil) an hour before going out to give an added anti-inflammatory effect to try to avoid any potential redness.
  4. My complexion is medium and I have medium brown eyes. Those persons with a light complexion, with blond hair and blue eyes, will obviously have to make some adjustments. However, a patient of mine with this type of complexion happened to be taking 1 tablet of Revatrol twice a day for a while. After playing golf on a hot weekend in Florida, many of his friends had noted his healthy glow of a tan, as opposed to the reddish-pinkish hue. He did not use sunscreen on that occasion.
  5. Avoiding the redness or painful sunburn seems to allow you to steadily get the opportunity your skin needs to obtain that healthy-looking eye-appealing tan. Once that sunburn takes over, the battle is lost.

Science has demonstrated that the 5 compounds in Revatrol have a wide arrangement of health benefits in many of your body's internal organ systems. The skin, the largest organ system, is not forgotten by taking this oral supplement, and its benefits are now readily visible. With Revatrol we can see a healthier looking skin overall in time. The extra added benefit of a natural-looking longer-lasting tan on the exterior goes great with a healthier interior.

Cheers to your health,

William S Gruss, MD



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