Resveratrol Pills a Hot Item for Boomers Seeking Anti-Aging Benefits

Ever since the first studies showed a possible link between resveratrol (a substance in red wine) and anti-aging there has been an explosion in sales of dietary supplements containing the ingredient according to a recent story in the Wall St. Journal.

Not surprising scientists are urging caution noting the difference between the speed at which marketing works versus longitudinal double-blind tests. Some even question whether it's safe for human consumption at least in the dosages being marketed.

The hype kicked into gear with the publishing of two studies which showed that resveratrol "was found to boost endurance and prolong life span in laboratory mice." This is great news for anyone with a pet lab mouse who's getting on in years but the relevance to humans is not yet understood. One key point missed by those who jumped on the results was that the amount of resveratrol daily consumed by the mice was the equivalent of hundreds of glasses a wine or dozens of dietary supplements. To date no human studies have shown much in the way of benefits.

It is worth reminding as the WSJ did in their article that supplement manufacturers are not required to demonstrate efficacy in order to market a product.

All that said, the data is indeed promising and represents one of many paths at which science is tackling the issue of longevity.

As with almost all products in this category caveat emptor.

Tags outside of LifeTwo: resveratrol anti-aging