| Scientists have discovered two ingredients found | | | | reason to try the grape seed," says Melinda Sothern, |
| naturally in some food and wines and doctors say in | | | | a professor of Public Health at LSU Health Sciences |
| a supplement formula, these ingredients may increase | | | | Center. |
| mitochondria and turn on longevity genes. So, is it a | | | | "If you're taking safe doses and everything seems to |
| Medicine Man Potion or a Real Alternative for Mankind | | | | be okay. Is that a problem if that's going to help you |
| to increase life expectancy? | | | | exercise and do more physical activity? I don't view |
| This clinically proven discovery has created a stir in | | | | that as a negative. But from a pure scientific |
| the research world. Could substances found in red | | | | standpoint, there is no data to conclusively say that it |
| grapes, peanuts, dark chocolate, red wine and | | | | actually works," says Dr. Kim Edward LeBlanc, |
| blueberries hold a key to living longer, feeling better, | | | | chairman of the Department of Family Medicine at |
| looking younger fighting cancer, reduce insulin for | | | | LSU Health Sciences Center. |
| Diabetes patients, lower cholesterol and being | | | | "Remember these words that Mackie said it: 'I think |
| thinner? Several anti aging scientists and doctors are | | | | it's going to have a profound effect on mitochondrial |
| leaning towards the possibilities this discovery will | | | | function,'" stated Fitness expert Mackie Shilstone of |
| bring about. | | | | East Jefferson General Hospital. |
| "We find that resveratrol is the best molecule we | | | | The mitochondria that Mr.Shilstone is speaking of |
| know of to increase healthy lifespan and the mice | | | | about are the small power packs of each cell. When |
| end up being resistant to diseases of aging like | | | | we are young we have lots of them, as we age we |
| diabetes, cancer, heart disease and can even run | | | | begin to lose them, they become weak and inactive, |
| twice as far on a treadmill," says Dr. David Sinclair, a | | | | making us lose energy, lowering our immune system |
| biologist and pathologist at Harvard Medical School. | | | | and become susceptible to getting ill. |
| "People are actually feeling more energetic, being able | | | | "Now if you improve mitochondrial function, you |
| to walk farther, often times especially older people | | | | make the muscle more effective, that being the |
| can extend their walks, which is really great sense of | | | | heart muscle, that being the biceps, the triceps during |
| well being, sleeping better, less aches and pains," says | | | | your exercise you will be actually more efficient. In |
| Dr. Jamie McManus, a clinical research director at the | | | | theory, I think this will improve stamina and I think will |
| Shaklee Company. | | | | improve strength," adds Shilstone. |
| This research biologist and family physician are | | | | "This particular molecule seems to be able to turn off |
| representing the makers of Vivix; a cellular anti-aging | | | | and on, sort of change the activity of different |
| tonic that they say in one teaspoon has the same | | | | genes in our body that regulate things like obesity. It |
| amount of resveratrol equal to 100 glasses of red | | | | really looks to regulate how the little energy |
| wine. Adding a powerful antioxidant called polyphenol | | | | storehouses in our cells work. So not only does it |
| in the form of an extract from the muscadine grape. | | | | have an effect on obesity but it does seem to have |
| Vivix is a high concentration you couldn't receive | | | | an effect on aging and it seems to have an effect |
| from eating normal amounts of food and together | | | | on some cancers as well," says Dr. Henri Roca in the |
| they say have been clinically proven in the lab | | | | Department of Family and Integrative Medicine at |
| working to slowing down and rebuilding the four | | | | LSU Health Sciences Center. |
| mechanisms of aging in our cells. | | | | But without conclusive human studies doctors don't |
| And they say there is an additional effect. | | | | know how much can help or how much would not |
| "The mice lost weight and they looked much better, | | | | only hurt you, but interact in a bad way with the |
| you could really tell the difference between the | | | | medications you are taking. |
| mouse that was taking resveratrol and the control | | | | Still the scientists behind Vivix stand by their product. |
| animal," adds Dr. Sinclair. | | | | "What we see is resveratrol just like exercise is really |
| Other experts say, yes, there does seem to be | | | | effective at boosting the number and activity of |
| promising results with resveratrol for anti-aging, but | | | | these mitochondria within cells. The good news is |
| they don't think we are there yet because science | | | | that resveratrol has been in human clinical trials |
| lacks the studies on humans. | | | | already and the results there been positive that |
| "I think it's promising but I think we have a long way | | | | we're seeing the same metabolic physiological effects |
| to go, It does have these principles that get rid of | | | | that we saw in the mice translating into people," says |
| the oxidative damage from eating the unhealthy | | | | Dr. Sinclair. |
| foods or from just everyday toxins in the air, so it's | | | | Resveratrol has also been shown to reduce |
| probably going to make you feel better, then maybe | | | | inflammation which in some studies has been |
| make you want to exercise more. I mean that's a | | | | associated with obesity. |