Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Avoiding Resveratrol Scams

Resveratrol is being touted as a real-real fountain of youth after a Harvard study shows amazing results in lab animals, where lab rats lived 30% longer!

The Harvard study showed that Resveratrol activates the SIRT-1 aging gene! The original research for Resveratrol (the findings on the SIRT-1 “rescue” gene) was purchased by Glaxo Wellcome for $750,000,000, so there is something to this Resveratrol research.


The active chemical in Resveratrol

But there is a problem! Because Resveratrol is derived from grape skins, it’s considered a food supplement and not under regulation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Hence, there are loads of Resveratrol scams. The Resveratrol Scams take two forms:

- Billing scams – They offer a “free trial” of Resveratrol, and then charge your card for large dollar amounts.

- Impotent Resveratrol – The most annoying of the Resveratrol scams involve the sale of “fake” Resveratrol, concoctions without the real active chemical. The fake Resveratrol contains cis-resveratrol, an isomer which is used in many Resveratrol pills, but which has no health benefits whatsoever

Why is Resveratrol Important?

Most people first heard about Resveratrol from this 60 Minutes report on Resveratrol, showing a Harvard laboratory study where fat aging rats actually became healthier and thinner, living over 30% longer than a control group.

This science article notes a real longevity factor associated with the SERT1 gene, and the Harvard research is clear that Resveratrol affects the SERT1 gene.

People who have been taking Real Resveratrol claim that it actually changes gray air back to your original color, with side effects like instant weight loss and increased stamina!

Take the time to watch this:



Resveratrol is the active antioxidant in red wine, but highly concentrated, with as much in a pill as dozens of bottles of wine.

Separating the Resveratrol facts from the hype

As it is, Resveratrol is made from grape skins, and as, such, Resveratrol is considered a food supplement and not a drug. Hence, there are all sorts of hype and Resveratrol scams all over the web Here is some of the hype:



This place offer a free trail of Resveratrol, but BEWARE, there is a boatload of complaints about free trials of Resveratrol, where they subsequently charge your card over $80 without consent.

Of more concern, how do we know that we are getting “real” Resveratrol and not some placebo?

Finding reputable Resveratrol sellers

So, where is a safe place to buy “real” Resveratrol? I decided to try Amazon, where there are dozens of people selling Resveratrol, some charging over $1,000 for 100 capsules (at 100 mg).
We chose this source of Resveratrol because their web site claims that this was the “research grade” Resveratrol that was used in the Harvard study. The Amazon page notes:

“Transmax is currently being used by more medical schools and universities in human clinical trials than all other supplement brands together.

Our quality, integrity and experience meet the rigid standards of these institutions Transmax contains no cis-resveratrol, the isomer which is used in many other supplements but which has no health benefits”

This might still be a scam, but Amazon allows this to be published, so we assume that this is the “real Resveratrol” . . .