Ingredient Repository · Ingredient

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Ingredient

Resveratrol

A natural stilbenoid polyphenol that supports sirtuin pathway activation, cardiovascular wellness, and metabolic balance.

What it is

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) is a natural stilbenoid phytoalexin synthesized by plants such as Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum), red grape skins, and berries in response to environmental stress. In dietary supplements, standard extracts yield highly purified trans-resveratrol, the bioavailable isomeric form. Resveratrol functions physiologically as an activator of sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), modulating cellular metabolic pathways, mitochondrial biogenesis, and vascular redox balance.

Also known as: Trans-Resveratrol, Polygonum cuspidatum extract

What it does

  • Supports cellular longevity pathways via SIRT1 and AMPK enzyme activation.
  • Provides vascular antioxidant support to assist healthy nitric oxide production and blood flow.
  • Supports metabolic balance and healthy glucose regulation already within normal ranges.

Amplified by probiotics

Unformulated trans-resveratrol undergoes extensive rapid phase-II hepatic and enterocyte glucuronidation and sulfation, yielding low systemic concentrations of free resveratrol. Intestinal probiotic bacteria express specific microbial glycosidases and reductases that hydrolyze conjugated resveratrol metabolites back into free bioactive trans-resveratrol, extending its systemic residence time. Simultaneously, probiotic short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly butyrate, act synergistically with resveratrol to downregulate NF-κB nuclear translocation and inflammatory cytokine transcription in the intestinal mucosa. This combined action reinforces epithelial tight junction integrity and enhances enterocyte transport efficiency, amplifying cellular antioxidant defenses.

Typical dose

100–500 mg/day

The evidence

Evidence: moderate

Human clinical trials demonstrate that trans-resveratrol supplementation improves arterial stiffness, endothelial vasodilation, and metabolic markers in adults (Bhatt 2012, Evid Based Complement Alternat Med). High-dose randomized trials confirm upregulation of muscle SIRT1 and AMPK pathways with improvements in metabolic efficiency (Poulsen 2013, Diabetes).

  1. Bhatt JK, et al. Resveratrol supplementation improves glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:256421. PubMed ↗
  2. Poulsen MM, et al. High-dose resveratrol supplementation in obese men: an inverted U-shaped curve of metabolic health. Diabetes. 2013;62(4):1186-1195. PubMed ↗

Safety & who should check first

Well tolerated at standard supplement doses up to 500 mg/day; higher doses (>1000 mg) may cause mild GI upset. Consult a physician if taking antiplatelet/anticoagulant drugs; avoid high doses during pregnancy.