Resveratrol May Be Natural Exercise Performance Enhancer
A recent study published in the May edition of the Journal of Physiology suggests that resveratrol may enhance exercise training and performance.
Resveratrol is a natural compound found in some fruits, nuts and red wine. It came to scientific attention during the mid-1990s as a possible explanation for the "French Paradox"—the low incidence of heart disease among the French people, who eat a relatively high-fat diet.
In the study the researchers found that high doses of resveratrol improved physical performance, heart function and muscles strength in laboratory settings.
The results were similar to what you would expect to see from extensive endurance training.
Lead researcher, Jason Dyck, said "We immediately saw the potential for this and thought that we had identified 'improved exercise performance in the shape of a pill.' "
Dyck, from the University of Alberta, plans to being testing resveratrol in diabetic patients with heart disease.
"I think resveratrol could help patient populations who want to exercise but are physically incapable. Resveratrol could mimic exercise for them or improve the benefits of the modest amount of exercise that they can do," says Dyck. "It is very satisfying to progress from basic research in a lab to testing in people, in a short period of time."
A Note of Caution
Although laboratory tests have suggested that resveratrol may help prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer, many health experts believe it is premature to recommend widespread supplementation.
A 2011 systematic review with 21 co-authors concluded that, "the published evidence is not sufficiently strong to justify a recommendation for the administration of resveratrol to humans, beyond the dose which can be obtained from dietary sources." 2
References
-
V. W. Dolinsky, K. E. Jones, R. S. Sidhu, M. Haykowsky, M. P. Czubryt, T. Gordon, J. R. B. Dyck. Improvements in skeletal muscle strength and cardiac function induced by resveratrol during exercise training contribute to enhanced exercise performance in rats. The Journal of Physiology, 2012; 590 (11): 2783 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2012.230490
- Vang O and others. What is new for an old molecule? Systematic review and recommendations on the use of resveratrol. PloS One 6(6): e19881. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0019881, 2011.
