Resveratrol is found in many foods & is promoted as having many health benefits, for both humans and animals. Indeed, research has shown Resveratrol can provide significant antioxidant properties - protecting cells & tissues from damage. Research has also shown it can provide anti-inflammatory, antibacterial & anticancer effects; protect the heart & be beneficial for the nervous system.
HOWEVER - (note the capital letters) there are significant CAUTIONS with Resveratrol. Research has shown there can be significant negative affects of Resveratrol use.
For a start, it is poorly absorbed unless produced in very particular forms. More importantly though, the beneficial effects are very DOSE DEPENDANT. Get the dose right - effects are beneficial. But get the dose wrong - effects can be reversed & actually be harmful to the animal.
Harmful effects including actually increasing oxidative damage to cells. (Not the desired antioxidant effects) The length of treatment time was important, with negative effects increasing with length of treatment. The age of the patient was also a factor, with oxidative stress increasing in aged patients.
Long term use has resulted in negative affects to the kidneys and liver, with patient death attributed to kidney failure. Liver toxicity, diarrhea and skin changes also reported.
Interaction with other medications is also a side-effect of Resveratrol. Resveratrol has also been shown to interact with clearance mechanisms in the liver; this can potentially lead increasing both bioavailability and toxicity risk of medications.
The correct dose (for a particular disease & for a particular animal) can only be achieved through careful research. Therefore until such information becomes available, Resveratrol will not be used in our products.
Salehi B, Mishra AP, Nigam M, Sener B, Kilic M, Sharifi-Rad M, Fokou PVT, Martins N, Sharifi-Rad J. Resveratrol: A Double-Edged Sword in Health Benefits. Biomedicines. 2018 Sep 9;6(3):91. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines6030091. PMID: 30205595; PMCID: PMC6164842.
https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals/resveratrol
