Is resveratrol the magic bullet against ageing?

The search for the mythical fountain of youth may have ended with Ponce de Leon, but millions of us hold out hope that science will discover the secret to beat ageing, the special formula that will keep our skin, and our insides, from displaying the wear and tear of our years. Found in red wine, red or purple grapes, some berries, and dark chocolate, resveratrol is a naturally-occurring polyphenol compound that has been touted as a potential remedy for a range of age-related conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease.


Said to contribute to the "French paradox"—the observation that people living in France tend to eat a lot of cheese, butter, and other fatty foods yet have a low incidence of heart disease—resveratrol consumption has been found to mimic a calorie-restricted diet (which studies have shown can play a role in longevity) and decrease chronic inflammation in the body.

The Benefits of Resveratrol: Can It Really Help?
Much of the research pointing to the benefits have been laboratory or animal-based studies. So far, research on resveratrol's effectiveness in humans has yielded mixed results. Here's a look at some key study findings:


Heart Health
For a review published in Clinical Nutrition in 2015, researchers analysed six previously published studies on the effects of resveratrol on blood pressure, and concluded that resveratrol didn't significantly reduce blood pressure. Higher doses of resveratrol (over 150 mg per day), however, were found to significantly decrease systolic blood pressure (the top number on a blood pressure reading). 

Another review, published in the International Journal of Cardiology in 2015, examined the effectiveness of resveratrol on cardiovascular risk factors. After analysing 10 previously published studies, researchers concluded that the analysis did not suggest any benefit of resveratrol supplementation on heart disease risk factors, including levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, and C-reactive protein or CRP (a blood protein that is raised when there is inflammation, including in heart disease).

Ageing
There's some evidence that resveratrol may not prolong life, according to research on people living in Tuscany who consume a diet rich in resveratrol from food sources like red wine. In a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine in 2014, 783 men and women 65 years or older were followed from 1998 to 2009.



During that time, intake of red wine (as measured by urine levels of resveratrol metabolites), didn't change the likelihood of dying from any cause, the incidence of heart disease or cancer, or markers of inflammation.

Cancer
A number of preliminary studies suggest that resveratrol may have anti-cancer effects. In a 2016 animal study, for instance, resveratrol suppressed ovarian tumor regrowth after chemotherapy. Published in Cancer, the study found that resveratrol inhibited the uptake of glucose by cancer cells (many cancer cells depend on glucose as their energy supply).

Despite these findings, the data from the limited human clinical trials have shown inconsistent outcomes and the American Cancer Society cautions that randomised clinical trials are needed to confirm the cancer-fighting effects of resveratrol. (There is also some concern that resveratrol may influence levels of oestrogen and other hormones.)

Sources of resveratrol
Trans-resveratrol is a form of resveratrol commonly found in supplements. Proponents often claim that trans-resveratrol is the most stable form of resveratrol.

In addition to food sources, resveratrol is also found in Japanese knotweed (Polypodium cuspidatum), grape seed extract, cissus quadrangularis, and white mulberry (Morus alba). Pterostilbene is a compound related to resveratrol.

Possible Side Effects

Little is known about the safety of long-term or high dose use of resveratrol. Since resveratrol may possess oestrogen-like properties, some medical experts recommend that people with hormone-sensitive cancers (including cancers of the breast, ovary, or uterus), pregnant women, and children avoid taking resveratrol.

In addition, resveratrol could interact with blood thinners like warfarin, aspirin, and ibuprofen, which may raise your risk of bleeding. According to one study, high-dose resveratrol supplementation was associated with fever, reduced blood cells, and decreased blood pressure.

There is some concern that high doses of resveratrol supplements could lead to kidney problems in some people. Supplements haven't been tested for safety and due to the fact that dietary supplements are largely unregulated, the content of some products may differ from what is specified on the product label. You can get tips on using supplements here.

Since the compound was first described in 1992, resveratrol has been studied for its much-touted benefits on the brain, heart, and lifespan, but recent research casts doubt on the notion that resveratrol supplements can help you live longer or lower your risk of heart disease or cancer.

If you're wondering whether a daily glass of red wine or piece of dark chocolate will improve your health, some researchers note that consumption of red wine, dark chocolate, and some berries has been found to decrease inflammation and have heart-healthy benefits, and suggest that other compounds in these foods may contribute to these benefits.


It's impossible, however, to get anywhere near the doses used in studies from food sources. Many of the studies have used a dose of about 100 mg or more of resveratrol, while a 5-ounce glass of red wine only has about 1 mg of resveratrol.


It's important to note that increasing your intake of red wine comes with a trade-off. Consuming too much may raise your risk of high blood pressure, liver damage, obesity, and some forms of cancer.

To boost your intake without consuming alcohol, try eating foods like grapes, raspberries, plums, blueberries, cranberries, grape tomatoes, and pomegranate (all of which are rich in resveratrol and a range of antioxidants and nutrients).

If you're still considering using resveratrol supplements, talk to your healthcare provider before starting your supplement regimen to weigh the pros and cons and discuss whether it's appropriate for you.

References:

1. Liu Y, Ma W, Zhang P, He S, Huang D. Effect of resveratrol on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clin Nutr. 2015 Feb;34(1):27-34.
2. Sahebkar A, Serban C, Ursoniu S, et al. Lack of efficacy of resveratrol on C-reactive protein and selected cardiovascular risk factors--Results from a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Int J Cardiol. 2015;189:47-55.
3. Semba RD, Ferrucci L, Bartali B, et al. Resveratrol levels and all-cause mortality in older community-dwelling adults. JAMA Intern Med. 2014 Jul;174(7):1077-84.
4. Tan L, Wang W, He G, et al. Resveratrol inhibits ovarian tumour growth in an in vivo mouse model. Cancer. 2016 Mar 1;122(5):722-9.

Worried about Parabens in your Beauty Products?

Most people know, or at least have a vague idea that parabens are potentially dangerous; yet many don’t know what parabens are, what they do, or what the controversy is actually about. So let's start with the basics:

Approximately 85% of Health and Beauty Products Contain Parabens

Parabens are preservatives, used in 90% of typical grocery items and, according to the American Chemical Society, approximately 85% of health, beauty, and personal care products. They extend the shelf life of items containing water, and are one of very few preservatives able to prevent the growth of bacteria, fungi, yeast, and mould–which is why they’re so popular.. You’ll find them in food, drugs, packaging, makeup, moisturiser, sunscreen, hair care, skincare, and shaving products, commonly listed under methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, isopropyl-, butyl-, isobutyl-, and benzylparaben–though that’s not an exhaustive list. And because people ingest parabens orally as well as through the skin, most Americans have them in their bodies at all times. I have previously written about this in an earlier blog: http://yaso-shan.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/truth-about-parabens.html

A 2017 University of California, Berkeley study suggests parabens might be more dangerous than previously thought–even in small amounts.

The controversy surrounding parabens has to do with their chemical structure; it’s similar to that of oestrogens, which are linked to an increased risk of breast cancer and reproductive problems.

But the furore really took hold in 2004, when a British study showed “traces of five parabens in the breast tumours of 19 out of 20 women studied.” From there, the media ran stories about the possibility parabens, often found in deodorants and anti-perspirants, being linked to breast cancer–even though the study never claimed a causal relationship, and was later found invalid. Even so, many people immediately grew–and have remained–uneasy.

The short answer is no, parabens haven’t been definitively linked to health risks. A 2005 study concluded it’s “biologically implausible that parabens could increase the risk of . . . breast cancer.” But they are known to increase the growth of breast cancer cells, and to mimic oestrogen in the body. And a 2017 study suggests parabens might be more dangerous than previously thought–even in small amounts. It’s no surprise, then, that many consumers would rather leave parabens out of their quests for health and beauty.

Are Parabens Necessary?

Many people aren’t convinced they’re safe: animal studies in vitro have shown certain parabens to be potentially risky, the CDC is continuing long-term studies on their risks, and the European Union has severely restricted their use, citing possible risks to human health—-particularly in products designed for children. It is worth noting that not all products need preservatives for instance, products that don’t contain water won’t need preservatives like parabens, and those that do can be preserved in other ways.


(It’s important to note, however, that certain alternatives for parabens, however, contain allergens, skin irritants, and sensitizing ingredients. Digging deep into this issue means getting skilled at reading labels, to ensure you aren’t replacing a potentially dangerous ingredient with one proven to be risky.)

Do Parabens Cause Cancer?

The official word from the American Cancer Society is: “Although at this time there are no clear health risks from parabens in food, drugs, cosmetics, and skin care products, people concerned about exposure to parabens can avoid products containing them.”

Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, cosmetic products and ingredients, other than color additives, don’t need FDA approval before they go on the market.

The FDA takes a similar “safe until proven unsafe” stance; in partnership with the CDC, it conducted Cosmetic Ingredient Reviews in 2003 and 2005, and stuck with findings from 1984: There isn’t enough evidence to prove parabens dangerous in cosmetics, food, or food packaging, despite studies noting their ability to (weakly) mimic oestrogen in animal studies.

But there is enough information to give many consumers pause. For example, the European Union agrees that the dangers of parabens have NOT been conclusively proven; but over the past five years, it has restricted, further restricted, and banned certain parabens. 

Groups like the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (a project of Breast Cancer Prevention Partners) second that thought. Their main concern is that “parabens are known to disrupt hormone function, an effect that is linked to increased risk of breast cancer and reproductive toxicity.” They’ll tell you parabens have been linked to reproductive, immunological, neurological and skin irritation problems (which is true, in animal studies). And, if parabens are eventually linked to cancer in humans, women will primarily be affected: they use significantly more personal care products than men do, meaning they’re exposed to far more parabens.

The FDA’s website states that no studies have proven a link between parabens and cancer in humans; but many–based on a number of animal and laboratory studies–believe it’s just a matter of time. They aren’t comforted by the FDA’s insistence that, “Studies have shown . . . that parabens have significantly less estrogenic activity than the body’s naturally occurring estrogen. Parabens have not been shown to be harmful as used in cosmetics, where they are present only in very small amounts.”

What The Experts Say

Experts in the beauty industry also disagree about parabens, but some of their concerns have to do with skin sensitivity. In short, those in the industry are likely to remain divided–at least until a conclusive body of research rolls in. But one thing virtually every skincare expert does agree on is that fragrance-free products are best for your skin–a hidden perk, given how many parabens are used in fragrances. And the fact that manufacturers aren’t required to disclose fragrance formulas; labels that don’t list parabens may still contain them under Fragrance/Parfum. Going fragrance free will also help you avoid parabens.

Reference: 
If you are worried about preservatives or indeed parabens in your skincare product, take a look at the full article at: https://www.reviews.com/research/know-parabens-beauty-products/

DHEA - too good to be true?

Still undergoing research, with many questions still unanswered by the medical community, 5-Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA looks like a promising solution to the discomforts caused by ageing. This naturally produced steroid hormone  originates in the adrenal glands, but the form used in medical treatment is generally sourced from soybeans or sweet potato.Though over the counter plant-sourced DHEA used to be available commercially in the early nineteen-eighties, the FDA discontinued availability because of concerns regarding the truth of its health claims. In the early nineties over the counter DHEA supplements became available again, but with the caveat that research was still being conducted about the efficacy of the product. Because DHEA levels are abundant in humans during youth and rapidly decline in the twenties and thirties, DHEA is studied in connection with ageing. Could the sudden decline of this hormone have anything to do with the effects of ageing?

DHEA is the hormone that preserves our skin's youth. As we age, our skin's DHEA levels rapidly decline until at age 60 they are 40% or less than the levels at age 30. Our Anti-Ageing Skin Treatments can normally contains 1% DHEA, as well as a unique blend of herbs known to preserve and protect our skin from ageing and sun damage.

Equally, Anti-Agring Moisturising Creams with 1% DHEA is on the cutting-edge of the anti-ageing revolution in skin care. The only skin cream that is guaranteed to repair and reverse the effects of age and sun damage to the skin. It fades and removes the blemishes and spots associated with ageing and sun damaged skin

Men and women under 30 can also use this cream to treat over exposure to the sun and elements, or to treat sunburn, psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis. DHEA levels in young women are also the marker for breast size. Women with higher levels of DHEA have naturally larger breast size.

The active ingredient is DHEA, which is a hormone produced by the adrenal gland. It is the most abundant hormone in the blood system, and is found in even higher levels in the skin. The body's natural production of DHEA falls from about 30 mg a day at age 25-30 to under 6 mg per day in men over 50 and after menopause in women.

Ageing skin is skin that is no longer being replenished with DHEA. This is one of the principal causes of wrinkling, brown ageing spots, and the lack of elasticity. In fact, DHEA levels in the skin of men and women over age 50 is just 20% of the level present in men and women under 30. It has been scientifically demonstrated that the topical application of our Anti-Ageing Hormone Cream with DHEA will reverse ageing and over exposure to the sun. Both men and women who have applied our Anti-Ageing Moisturising Cream to both face and hands have reported the rapid fading of brown spots, the reduction and elimination of wrinkles, softer and younger looking skin, and other pleasant effects.

The Anti-Ageing Moisturiser Cream with DHEA should be applied continuously for 20 days before improvements become obvious. Amazing results are generally seen after treatment for thirty days. If treatment is then discontinued, beneficial results will diminish and age and brown spots will gradually reappear.

DHEA is the most important hormone present in the skin. Topical application to the skin will replenish this vital hormone and stimulate the skin's immune system, specifically the skin's sebaceous glands, increasing the skin's metabolism and activity. DHEA has been shown to have many other beneficial effects including the prevention or slowing the growth of skin cancers, tumours, and it is an established treatment for psoriasis, eczema, seborrhoea, and dermatitis. It relieves dry skin and is very effective in the treatment of burns of all types.

Anti-Aging Moisturising Cream should be applied daily to the hands and face and any other part of the body desired. For best results, it is suggested that the Anti-Aging Moisturiser be used together with an oral supplement of DHEA tablets or our Triple Hormone Tablets containing DHEA.

Many large cosmetic companies offer highly publicised anti-ageing wrinkle creams. What they fail to tell you is that these products actually speed the skin's ageing process and increase skin cancer risks. Clinical studies in the USA and Europe show the effects of these creams to be temporary at best and damaging in the short-term and a leading cause of skin ageing in the long-term. Read the DERMATOLOGY TIMES report and discover what the beauty tycoons like some brand-name manufacturers do not want you to know about their dangerous products THE WRINKLE CREAM FRAUD.

Look out for creams that contain none of the listed dangerous alphahydroxy and glycolic chemicals.

The Truth About Parabens

I have been interested in natural skincare for as long as I can remember, ever since I developed sensitive skin and went through significant episodes of very bad eczema when anything and everything would trigger the symptoms. Since that time, there has been a plethora of new skincare products on the market, not all of them for eczema mind, but nevertheless useful and beneficial for skin health. More than most, the cosmetic and beauty industry has seen a significant expansion of skincare in general with many of them making some outrageous claims (the biggest selling claim is of course is in the gamut of anti-wrinkle gems all purporting to reverse the signs of ageing and resuming our youthful glow to the ‘beautiful’ and ‘flawless’ state it once was! This is big business and unsurprisingly, there are is tough competition to formulate the best skincare that can achieve this without resorting to drastic measures such as surgery.The last few years has seen a noteworthy expansion of the natural skincare products market with a trend leaning towards products that are free of synthetic chemicals such as sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate or SLS, parabens, phthalates, artificial preservatives, over-manufactured and processed products as well as synthetic fragrances often made from petrochemicals. An increasing number of people are concerned about what they put on the skin and worried about the health consequences of such harsh synthetic chemicals which may accumulate in the body.

The long standing controversy over one such chemical is parabens which generated interest (alarm actually!) some years ago when it was linked to cancer with reports of its carcinogenic properties. In particular, was the concern that its presence in anti-perspirant and deodorant products was somehow linked to the onset of breast cancer. Since then, there has been a lot written about parabens especially as a ‘chemical nasty’ and we should avoid it at all costs. So let’s look at this concern and examine the real truth about parabens.

Parabens are a class of chemicals widely used as preservatives not only in the beauty and cosmetic industries but also in the food industry. They are effective preservatives (bactericidal and fungicidal) and therefore commonly found in toiletries such as shampoos, shaving gels and body washes as well as in a range of skincare products such as moisturisers, sun creams and make up to keep the products free from harmful microbes. For this reason, they are also found in a range of food products as preservatives (with FDA and EU authorisation) and commonly found labelled as E numbers E218 (methylparaben), E214 (ethylparaben), E216 (propylparaben) and butylparaben. Less common parabens include isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, benzylparaben and their sodium salts. Quite often, a combination of these and other preservatives are used to broaden the spectrum of their preservative action. All commercially used parabens are synthetically produced, although some are identical (molecular, biochemical and structural) to those found in nature. Parabens are found naturally-occuring in a variety of foods such as blueberries, apples, blackcurrants, carrots, onions, grapes, yeast extract, natural vanilla extract, wine vinegar and cheese; the human body is perfectly capable of processing parabens detected by the presence of their breakdown products in urine. Parabens have a long-established use as preservatives since the 1920s and have a safety record that's widely accepted by the scientific community.

Given the relative abundance of parabens in nature, it is hard to imagine the fuss over its alleged cancer risk but nevertheless, we need to examine these claims. So where did it all start? A study conducted in 1998 demonstrated that some parabens have mild oestrogenic activity. This means that they mimic oestrogen, an important hormone (in both men and women) that has been previously shown to accelerate the growth of some cancers (in particular, oestrogen-dependent cancers). However, this oestrogenic activity was extremely weak (almost minuscule - to give some idea, it was reported at being 100,000 times weaker than the main and most powerful of the oestrogens: oestradiol). However, the mutagenic effects (trigger for cancerous change) of oestrogen is dependent on free radical chemistry and is not simply a matter of whether an oestrogenic effect (however weak) is exerted so the point of this research is questionable to say the least. However, this initial research led to other studies into this 'carcinogenic effect', notably whether parabens were present in breast cancer tissue in the belief that parabens in anti-perspirants and deodorant products were linked to breast cancer.  A 2004 study revealed that traces of parabens were indeed present in breast cancer tissue (in 18 out of 20 samples) but equally, parabens were also found in 9 of their 'blank controls', some of which were in significantly higher quantities than the tissue samples, later shown to be a contamination of the glassware.  We can safely rule out this study as credible as it is incredibly flawed.

It needs to be noted that parabens have never been used in and are not present in approx. 95% of anti-perspirants and deodorants on the market  since most are alcohol-based or with an aerosol mechanism which precludes the necessity for further preservative action; alcohol is a potent preservative. Therefore, the link between anti-perspirant & deodorant products and breast cancer is extremely tenuous at best. But nonetheless, the lack of removal of these toiletries from sale only served to consolidate the fear and public concern fuelled by rumour in an email circular, the origins of which are difficult to establish. It is also worth noting that anti-perspirants also contain aluminium-based products and zirconium salts as their active ingredients; studies into whether these ingredients are carcinogenic rather than parabens is currently being considered. The mere action of inhibiting the sweating process by blocking sweat pores under the arm doesn't seem natural and does warrant some investigation at the very least! Sweat is an excretory product of the body containing a number of toxins that are destined to be released from the body, NOT to be reabsorbed back into the blood. Could this be having an impact in breast cancer development?

A more recent study was conducted into detecting the presence of parabens in  samples of breast cancer tissue taken from 40 women diagnosed with the disease - the results of which were published in March 2012. One or more paraben esters were detected in 158 of the 160 samples studied (99%) and 96 of the samples (60%) contained all five of the most common esters. Further, the authors noted that there was a disproportionate incidence of breast cancer in the upper quadrant of the breast nearest the armpit with a significantly higher level of n-propylparaben in the axilla region closest to the armpit (than in the mid regions). The other 4 parabens were equally distributed across all parts of the breast.
Let's have a closer look at this data:

• drainage route of the axillary lymph nodes travel through the armpit as a first point of contact -any breast cancer tissue will undoubtedly show the presence of substances; the study was only looking for parabens
• sources of the parabens not determined - given the relative abundance of parabens (food, water, environmental oestrogens or xeno-oestogens and toiletries etc...), it did not establish where they were from
• 9 of the 40 women have never used underarm products - the parabens must have come from elsewhere
• other risk factors in breast cancer - all major breast cancer campaign groups reiterate that this is a multifactorial disease meaning that the causes are attibuted to many reasons. The 3 biggest factors are age, gender and family history (genetic). Other equally important factors include diet, lifestyle (eg. smoking), stress , HRT, the contraceptive pill, not having children and environmental oestrogens (xeno-oestrogens)
• study did not demonstrated cause and effect merely the presence of parabens in breast cancer tissue. It did not compare paraben levels in other parts of the body and this study is very small (only 40 women were studied)
• the study did not examine healthy breast tissue (as control or comparators)

Breast cancer charities are right in their condemnation of the manner in which this study was publicised highlighting that this creates further worry and fear about parabens. The point of this research still baffles me - looking for parabens in any body tissue tissue is likley to yield positive results given the relative abundance and our exposure  to parabens (both natural and synthetic). Identifying the source(s) of the parabens, then establishing cause and effect in addition to using healthy controls is essential. Many people do not understand RISK (which is very different to CAUSE) so making this distinction is paramount whenever conducting research into this.
To date, there is no link or convincing scientific evidence that parabens affect breast cancer risk. Further, there are no strong epidemiological studies in the medical literature that links breast cancer risk with anti-perspirant use, and very little scientific evidence to support the claim. To substantiate this, a carefully designed epidemiological study published in 2002 compared 813 women with breast cancer and 793 women without the disease showed that there was no link between breast cancer risk and anti-perspirant or deodorant use, or indeed underarm shaving (thought to introduce parabens into the area via open cuts or nicks results from this process). Parabens are safe with FDA approval and EU authorisation for use in internal products (foods and medicines) and external products (toiletries, cosmetics and topical medicines). It needs to be borne in mind that preservatives are necessary as the natural oxidation process of ingredients in a product can quickly go rancid producing more lethal and toxic subtances which can be worse than any imagined risk from parabens. However, there is no doubt that further work is necessary rather than recycling pointless pieces of small-scale research which are poorly constructed  and designed - surely this is worse than useless?
So what about alternatives?

• consider discarding the use of anti-perspirants or deodorants if you are worried - but remember to wash regularly if you want to avoid body odour and maintain your social life!
• switch to products which are natural or organic, reading all labels carefully but remember, products without preservatives will go rancid very quickly and may produce toxins which can be more dangerous
• natural preservatives in toiletries can include key essential oils, neem oil, sweet orange oil, vitamin E, honey , grapefruit seed extract and potassium sorbate amongst others.... However, all of them have their limitations despite the claim on 'natural'. For instance, grapefruit seed extract is a natural antibiotic and antiseptic (true) but the process of extraction is done under chemical synthesis involving catalysts and reagents under extreme heat. Some commercial preparations are known to include methylparaben and triclosan and the so-called natural grapefruit seed extract has not been shown to provide any antimicrobial protection whatsoever, rather it's the parabens preserving the product

So be careful when dismissing parabens - many of the big players in the cosmetic industry extol the virtues of their products being 'free of parabens' like it is something of a claim when in fact, you are likely to encounter a host of other ingredients in them that offer little or no preservative action. All synthetic preservatives have been tested for safety and effectiveness (microbial challenge tests) and are found in a range of products. These include benzylalcohol, tetrasodium EDTA, phenoxyethanol and germall plus amongst others. Be careful when considering ditching parabens and coming to immediate conclusions without weighing up all the evidence. There will always be radical alarmists eager to sensationalise for the sake of making headlines. Personally, I am more worried about the quality of the air I breathe and the traces of medicines in the drinking water than I am about parabens!

For more information, please refer to:
www.fda.gov (US regulation authority for foods, drugs and skincare products)
www.colipa.eu (EU legislation and product labelling)
www.cancer.gov (US cancer information website)
http://www.cancer.org/Search/index?QueryText=parabens&x=0&y=0 (news items about parabens)
www.personalcarecouncil.org (US information on personal care products their ingredients)