(Ivanhoe Newswire) – We've heard red wine can be healthy in moderation. Now a new study says a large dose of one particular ingredient in red wine can ward off the effects of age on the heart, bones, eyes and muscles.
The research was done in mice. Previous studies have shown that restricting calorie intake by 30 percent or eating a nutritious diet every other day can delay the onset of age-related diseases, improve stress resistance and decelerate functional decline. However, a dietary restriction is not ideal for the frail, ill or elderly. Therefore, researchers were looking at other ways to achieve the same benefits without cutting calories. They focused on resveratrol, a protein linked to long life in many species. Resveratrol is a main ingredient in red wine.
Study authors say they found mice that were given resveratrol saw many health benefits. The benefits did not necessarily extend their life, but improved their overall quality of life. Specifically, researchers say resveratrol induces gene activity patterns in multiple tissues that parallel those induced by dietary restriction and every-other-day feeding.
Researchers say these findings confirm the feasibility of creating oral treatments that mimic the health benefits of dietary restriction. Resveratrol treatment is already being tested in clinical trials for Type II diabetes.
SOURCE: Published online in the journal Cell Metabolism on July 3, 2008
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