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Press ReleaseHarvard Doctor Says Natural Molecule May Avert Adverse Health Effects of Over-Eating During the HolidaysBOSTON, Dec. 2, 2003 -- Between Thanksgiving and the Christmas Holidays Americans will gain about seven pounds in body weight, but the adverse health effects may possibly be averted, says a Harvard Professor, whose laboratory recently uncovered a natural molecule that counters the effects of high-fat diets.David Sinclair, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at the Department of Pathology at Harvard Medical School, whose laboratory conducts research on the health effects of calorie restriction and aging, found a "reversal factor" that mimics the healthy properties of calorie restriction. Diets that severely trim down calorie intake in animals and humans reduce insulin levels, raise "good" HDL cholesterol, lower triglycerides and generally improve health as well as promote longevity. Now, says Dr. Sinclair, science has a molecular mimic that could avert many of the undesirable health effects of over-eating. Last August, Dr. Sinclair's laboratory reported that resveratrol, a molecule found in red wine, is capable of imitating what calorie restriction does, which is to increase cell's defenses against damage as well as give cells more time to repair their DNA. "Our work could explain the French Paradox," says Sinclair, referring to the fact the French eat high calorie, high-fat diets, have elevated cholesterol levels, but do not suffer the same health consequences as do North Americans who eat similar diets. Far fewer French who regularly consume red wine experience heart attacks or strokes than Americans, notes Sinclair. Red wine, preferably made from pinot noir grapes from vineyards located in moist northern climates such as New York, Oregon, Washington, Canada and Northern France (Burgundy region), provides more bio-available resveratrol than white wine produced in more dry climates. However, a new dietary supplement which preserves resveratrol in an airtight capsule, similar to a corked wine bottle, may be able to provide the healthy properties of wine without the alcohol, calories or sulfite-preservative headaches, says Sinclair. "Our laboratory found red wine extracts, or resveratrol pills, were biologically inactive since they don't duplicate the airless environment like a bottle of wine," says Sinclair. But a new dietary supplement, called Longevinex(TM), which provides 15 milligrams of stabilized resveratrol in an airtight capsule, is the first to provide stabilized resveratrol, says Sinclair. The manufacturer of Longevinex(TM) says their product provides about the same amount of resveratrol found in three to five glasses of the best bottled red wine. Longevinex(TM) (www.longevinex.com) features a patented airtight capsule that preserves resveratrol similar to what a corked bottle of wine does. The product was developed under the direction of Dr. Sinclair, who serves as a consultant to the manufacturer. Tests are underway to confirm that this dietary supplement actually mimics the healthy benefits of red wine. "There is likely to be a lot of consumer interest in the idea of countering the adverse health effects of over-eating now that weight gain and obesity have become such a large public health problem," says Dr. Sinclair. Resveratrol is catching the eye of the pharmaceutical industry as well - this promising molecule is in clinical trials for its ability to treat oral herpes and cancer. Four companies have research projects underway including Sirtris, a developmental drug company started by Dr. Sinclair. These companies may spawn a new class of resveratrol-like drugs, though testing is likely to take years to complete. Contact: David Sinclair, Ph.D. Tel: 617-432-3931 Fax: 617-432-1313 Website: http://www.longevinex.com Knowledge of Health, Inc. 457 West Allen Avenue #117 San Dimas, CA 91773 Tel: 909-596-9507 Fax: 909-596-9189 |
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