My Resveratrol Experience

New Resveratrol Article In Fitness Magazine

2010-02-02T11:25:04-05:00

The February 2010 issue of Fitness Magazine, published an article written by Richard Laliberte titled, "Resveratrol: The New Weight-Loss Supplement?" The article features personal accounts by women in their 20's and 30's. The article also highlights some nice fact finding regarding the potential physical fitness benefits of resveratrol, completed by the writer.

While the article is focused mainly on how resveratrol effects women, I think it is a worthwhile read for men as well. Laliberte provides useful information, both positives and safety concerns, for those interested in taking resveratrol as a potential fitness enhancer. Enjoy the read!

Resveratrol, Endurance Enhancer or Placebo Effect?

2010-01-17T22:04:56-05:00

20 months of Resveratrol use and I am still not finished questioning whether or not Resveratrol provides endurance benefits. It would be nice to see real research results, providing those who take resveratrol with definitive answers, however it looks like we will just have to wait for them.

The questions I often ask myself are the following:

Does resveratrol increase my endurance above and beyond the maximum levels that would be obtained without taking it?
Does resveratrol quicken the amount of time it takes to maximize my endurance, but not provide an ability to go over what the maximum would be without it?
Does resveratrol not have anything to do with my endurance levels or possibly hurt it?

I've read "stories" and articles where they discuss professional athletes in biking, mixed martial arts (MMA), swimming, running, and other active sports, taking resveratrol as part of a supplement routine. The question is, is it working?

I can not look to anyone other than myself to try and determine the answers to these questions. For one thing, resveratrol may not effect one person like it effects another. So I took some time the other day to sit back and recall the activity levels throughout the course of my life. Now I am young by most people's indication of "old" and "young", however, I am past what many would consider their prime from an athletic perspective.

Here is what I was able to recall from my memory:

In my early teens I was active, playing baseball, tennis, and skiing. Like most active teens my endurance level was high, I was able to play 5 sets of tennis with limited rest. Skiing from 9am to 9pm was easy with just taking a break for lunch and dinner. During my early teens I don't recall doing much aerobic activity though as most of the sports I played were anaerobic in nature.

My late teens things changed slightly. I hit the gym hard, focusing more on building muscle mass. I was always on the "small" size and I wanted badly to put on mass. I put my time in at the gym and did less of the organized sports and anaerobic activity. I went from about 140lbs to 175lbs from the time i was 17 to 21. My body fat percentage remained low throughout the course of the increase in weight, never exceeding 10% and typically coming in at 6-8%. Putting on weight was hard!

I graduated college and everything changed. I didn't have the time (so I thought) to workout, play sports, or watch what I ate. I quickly fell into a routine where not being healthy was easy, so I just went with it. For the first few years the effects didn't show. From the ages of 22 to 32 I simply "let myself go." A ski trip brought me back to reality. I couldn't make it down one run without stopping numerous times to catch my breathe. At that moment I vowed to never let something like that happen again.

This is where resveratrol came into the picture for me. I was back in the gym and I was 32 years old. I was enjoying my new approach to being healthy. I ate better, I worked out 3-4 days per week, and I researched.

I started taking resveratrol shortly after getting into my new fitness regimen. I went from getting winded walking up a short flight of stairs, to being able to go through a rigorous gym routine without needing more than a 30 second break. It happened fast. My recovery speeds seem to get shorter and shorter. I felt less winded and was able to push myself to workout harder and faster.

I now feel like I did when I was in my early teens, perhaps even a little better! Now, I am not saying this is because of resveratrol; I worked hard, ate properly (for the most part), and got the help of a trainer in the gym. But, there is something inside me that makes me believe the recovery would not have been so fast had it not been for the resveratrol.

I am now 34 years old and I feel great! There is no possible way I will allow myself to fall back to the horrible physical conditioning of my twenties. For now, I will keep taking resveratrol and keep a close eye on the results of future professional research.

Live Longer,

Markus

Resveratrol: 2009 Year In Review! Bring on 2010!

2010-01-03T15:00:46-05:00

As far as health crazes go, Resveratrol, certainly took the top spot in many categories in 2009. What started out as a relatively unknown antioxidant with potential anti aging capabilities turned into a debauchery of deceit by on-line marketers.

Once the big names mentioned it on prime time TV it only took a few days for the marketing machine to start it's work. Unfortunately, this also spawned a numerous amount of "on the fly" resveratrol companies selling products with poor quality or very little, if any, good manufacturing practices.

It got so bad that between Acai Berry and Resveratrol the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) had to update and change laws regarding what type of promotional activities are legal and which are not. The use of celebrity endorsements without permission or undocumented product claims is no longer acceptable; this is a good thing! I commend the FTC for stepping up and protecting the consumer.

While I firmly believe that product promotion is a positive method for companies to sell products, it must be done in an ethical manner. This means bloggers, site owners, and anyone else must promote products in a way that is consistent with ethical practices.

All websites that make money from promoting products or placing ads need to have disclosures that are clear for consumers. You will notice here on My Resveratrol Experience those disclosures are posted in numerous places and on every page.

There were also numerous positive advancements in Resveratrol research. Just search Google Scholar for the term Resveratrol and you will see several research studies published on 2009. Many were very promising, but all of them required further research before determining whether or not Resveratrol truly is beneficial to humans in the long run.

Resveratrol has a promising 2010 ahead of it. Consumers are more aware of what to look for with regards to purchasing resveratrol. More and more research studies are underway and results are expected in 2010. While we might not get definitive answers, we are getting closer and closer to the answer of this question, "Does Resveratrol Work?"

Live Longer,

Markus

Resveratrol Interview For University Journalism Student

2009-12-06T20:27:14-05:00

I was recently contacted by a University student requesting information on resveratrol for an article she was writing for her Journalism class. I asked her to provide me with a list of questions that I could respond to and after doing so, I thought the question and answer session would be a good post for this blog.

Once the article is complete I will be posting it on 'My Resveratrol Experience' with the author's permission.

The Interview:

First, where do you get it (resveratrol)?

I purchase the resveratrol I use from a company called RevGenetics. There are numerous companies online, and in stores, that sell resveratrol and it has become very difficult for consumers to determine which products are of a higher quality. I always recommend that consumers look for companies who sell products using a "full disclosure" approach. This means they are very clear with regards to the amount of resveratrol (trans-Resveratrol specifically) in their product, the percentage of purity, that they follow FTC and FDA guidelines where applicable, and they disclose their independent analysis test results publicly.

How much does it cost you, let's say on a monthly basis, to buy you dose or Resveratrol?

Resveratrol ranges in price, however, the product I take from RevGenetics is $41.12 per month. I have seen prices that are much less and some that are $70.00 or more. Personally, I am more concerned with quality than I am with the price, within reason of course.

Have you had trouble getting it, have you gotten caught in scams in the beginning?

I like to think of myself as a savvy consumer; I do my research prior to purchasing a product and I know, if something sounds to good to be true, then it usually is. So, no, I was not caught by any scams in the beginning. Also, at the time I began taking Resveratrol the scams were not as present as they are today. Unfortunately, some of the scams look extremely real and use illegal tactics to sway consumers into purchasing their products. Many use celebrity endorsements without consent and there are numerous lawsuits currently in process regarding this. I have also tried to point out on my website what people should look out for with regards to these scams. Here are links to articles I have written on the subject: Articles on Scams & Resveratrol Scam - Take The Money and Run!

Second, why did you start using it?

I was introduced to Resveratrol via another hobby of mine, stock investing. While searching for some "up and coming" new companies I came across Sirtris Pharmaceuticals. At the time Sirtris was making pharmaceutical grade resveratrol (SRT501) and what they call NCE's, New Chemical Entities. After reading about the company and being introduced to Resveratrol via their research I found the basis to be very interesting. It made sense to me that making your cell's "healthier" would help you fight off diseases of aging, and possibly other ailments. Shortly after I came across Sirtris, I was at my gym, and someone who's opinion I respect regarding health, brought up that he took Resveratrol. Shortly after that conversation, GlaxoSmithKline bought Sirtris for $720 million. At this time I felt there was validity with regards to Resveratrol and after doing some of my own research felt it was worth a try.

What were you expecting as results from taking it, and are you satisfied with the results?

I was hoping to feel more healthy in general. At the time I was rather unhealthy and I was hoping with a new fitness routine, better diet, and resveratrol I could help get myself back into better shape and health. As far as being satisfied, I am very satisfied with my overall improved health. I can't attribute my results specifically to Resveratrol, but my personal belief is that it helped get me to where I am today.

Is there a difference between what companies tell us will happen and what really happens?

I think at this point any company that makes "absolute" claims are really doing the consumer, and the anti aging field, a major disservice. There just hasn't been enough research to say definitively that Resveratrol will do the same in humans that it has done in rats and mice. The research looks promising so far, but we just don't know for sure at this stage of the game. I can only hope that when all is said and done, Resveratrol can cure, or help treat, the major diseases it is being tested on, such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

Would you recommend someone start using it and why?

I am not one to recommend health products to people. I am willing to share my experiences with people, but I think it is up to each individual to decide whether or not resveratrol, or any supplement, is right for them. People need to do research and check with their doctor before taking Resveratrol. It is possible that it could interact with other medications and people need to be careful when ingesting any product.

What are those "benefits that outweigh the side effects" that people are talking about on the website?

People have reported many different side effects from taking Resveratrol. These are user reported, and not scientifically proven, so it is hard to tell what is actually being caused by the Resveratrol itself. That being said, I think it is important for people to share the good and the bad when it comes to Resveratrol. Some people have reported stomach pains, arthritic type symptoms, caffeine buzzed feelings, and several other effects. Many people are ok with these effects because they feel the benefits of resveratrol outweigh them. It all depends on the user. You also have to keep in mind that placebo effect can play a role with regards to what people "feel" they are experiencing when taking drugs or supplements.

With regards to physical benefits many users have reported increased energy, fat and weight loss, clearer skin, lower bad cholesterol and higher good cholesterol, improved eye sight, and increased mental clarity. Personally, I have noticed increased energy, healthier looking skin, mental clarity, increased body fat loss, and an increased tolerance to colds and flu's. For instance, I took Resveratrol for almost two years and during that time did not get sick. I stopped taking it for a few weeks and got sick twice in that time period. Prior to taking Resveratrol, I caught a lot of colds and got the flu just about every year. This could be a coincidence but I am leaning toward believing the resveratrol played a role in keeping me healthy. I also was able to lower by my body fat by over 8% in a relatively short period of time. Under one year. While adding a significant amount of muscle mass, strength, and improved endurance.

There are also "unseen" benefits that are potentially being gained. The anti aging benefits of resveratrol are the primary reason many people take it. This one is very hard to gage because it is difficult to measure whether or not lifespan is being extended. Many people are willing to live with potential side effects for the benefit of living an extra 20 years in a healthy manner.

Third, why the website and how popular is it?

When I was looking for information on Resveratrol I had a very difficult time gathering information. There were research studies to evaluate, however, I am not educated in the medical or scientific fields, I am a numbers guy. I did my best to get through the research and "self " teach myself about the terminology and procedures used in studies. That was all well and good, but I really wanted to know from people who used resveratrol what experiences they were having. I was unable to find this information but I knew there had to be others out there looking for similar information. So I decided at that time to create a website, MyResveratrolExperience.com, where I could share my experiences, pass along information I found on Resveratrol, and also give others a place to share their own experiences. To this day I still believe there are no other resveratrol websites like it on the web. It has grown in popularity and over 200,000 people have visited the site in the past 12 months.

How many testimonies have you received?

I am not sure what the actual numbers are but the site has hundreds of user comments and I have received emails from hundreds of other people. Some ask questions, while others share their own story.

Is there a resveratrol community?

The most well known community is found at the Immortality Institute's Website. It can be found here: Immortality Institute

Have you ever met some of these people face to face?

No, I have not met anyone face to face, but I have spoken to several site visitors through email.

Do you hold seminars?

I don't hold seminars because I don't feel I am qualified to do such a thing. I am more interested in facilitating user interaction and giving people a place to share and locate useful information.

Last, what about recent studies?

There are studies being published every month that have to do with Resveratrol. I can't say I read them all but I try to keep up with the important findings. I am extremely interested in reading the results of Sirtris's Phase II Trials. I also make it a point to pay extra attention to research studies that use humans as the subjects. There are several underway and I think we will get some useful information regarding the effectiveness of Resveratrol over the next two years.

Do you think Resveratrol is as effective as they say it is?

I think that depends on who "they" are that you refer to. Personally, I like to believe the science makes sense. I look forward to the science surrounding the benefits of Resveratrol to either be proven or disproved so we can move on with definitive answers.

Have you ever doubted the product you're using?

I have doubted Resveratrol as I tend to be skeptical of such possibilities. However, over time my doubt has turned into enthusiasm toward the potential benefits. As for the specific product I use, I believe they are a good company that is working toward providing quality products. It is a business however, and businesses are entitled to make money. Some people forget that fact when discussing the price and profitability of supplement suppliers. As long as it is done legally they are entitled to get paid for providing a quality product.

Resveratrol - A Compilation of User Reported Side Effects!

2009-11-12T21:59:42-05:00

The most commonly searched information by people who are looking to take, or already take, resveratrol is information on side effects. Since research to date on humans is limited, officially reported side effects are virtually non-existent.

Throughout this website there are user comments posted that are personal accounts regarding individual resveratrol usage experiences. Some of these accounts detail negative side effects, others positive, and some a little of both. I wanted to make it easier for these accounts to be found and have created this post to detail many of those accounts. You will find some previous user comments highlighted below along with links to other articles on this site specific to side effects.

Please keep in mind these are user experiences and have not been backed by scientific evidence. However, I feel it is important information to share and urge those to share their own resveratrol side effects (good and bad) in the comment section below.

Important Links:

Share Your Resveratrol Experience

Stomach Sensitivity & Resveratrol

Side Effects Aren't Always Negative, are they?

Resveratrol Side Effects Are Anecdotal At Best - Both The Positive & The Negative!

Side Effects of Resveratrol: A User Compilation! (Part 1)

Resveratrol Side Effects: User Feedback, The Positives! (Part 2)

A Few Random Comments:

Maxine commented on July 18, 2009

"I am 63 years female with diabetes... I cut my foot on a piece of broken glass in the kitchen about three weeks ago and have been puzzled about how quickly it healed. Occasionally I think about it and wonder why. Just today I was trying to figure out which foot was cut. It was not until I read the comment by one of respondents that I realized that the resveratrol was the reason."

Cindy commented on June 4, 2009

"... I started taking a 200 mg supplement of Resveratrol. While I noticed a up tick in my energy level I also noticed that my wrists ankles and knees started to ache....much like when the weather is bad..."

L.W.F. commented on July 11, 2009

"...Men usually find it difficult to talk about prostate cancer but I want to share this, in the event that there is some substance to the benefits of Resveratrol. I dealt with my cancer in April 2002. Brachytherapy was the chosen route to deal with this problem. The medical team keeps me on a six month PSA review. The PSA over the years has been holding in the .24 area,which is low, except I always felt it should be lower. I didn't want this coming back. I started taking Resveratrol about 6 weeks ago and just had another PSA reading. Much to my surprise the PSA has dropped to .14. Good news for me and I wanted to share this as there is no other known reason."

Pdiddy commented on September 27, 2009

"...I got severe back and side pains that lasted all day, and only stopped when I went off of it. Maybe because I started off at 125 mg? But on the positive side, I am a type 1 diabetic, and my blood sugar levels stabilized like crazy! I also received a turbo boost energy wise. But the back pains were too much."

Julie commented on October 27, 2009

"Right away I noticed I was only able to sleep about 2 hours at a time (I was already suffering from severe insomnia and inability to sleep longer than 5.5 hrs per night on my best nights, for the past 2 1/2 years or so). The next thing I noticed was I hardly need to eat anymore! I love this, but I have not lost an ounce so far. My goal is to lose 15-20 lbs. The other side effect I noticed was a soreness in my achilles tendons, particularly as I lay in bed at night, trying to sleep or go back to sleep, and a very unpleasant pulsating pain in my right groin, where the adductor muscle attaches to the tendon in my hip area. That has stopped, mercifully. I'm also having pain and tightness in my other hip (where the femur attaches to the hip bone) after I use a treadmill, which I do for an hour, though this becomes less severe if I manage to get to the gym more frequently than twice a week."

ResForum.org - A Newly Launched Resveratrol Website by Dr. David Sinclair & Dr. Mark Boguski

2009-11-04T20:10:50-05:00

I recently had the pleasure of communicating with Dr. Mark Boguski regarding a new project he and Dr. David Sinclair, have begun working on. In response to the growing concerns regarding a lack of quality resveratrol information on-line, both Sinclair and Boguski have launched an informative web site, ResForum.org.

ResForum.org provides information about resveratrol in an "easy to understand" format starting with, what is in my opinion, a must read e-book titled, "The Resveratrol Fact Book: Your Questions Answered." The e-book is well written and provides useful facts and also dispels some common resveratrol myths.

As the name states, ResForum.org, also provides visitors with a forum where people can share personal experiences and exchange information about resveratrol. The community is young, but already showing promise as a reliable source of information sharing. I recommend ResForum.org to anyone interested in learning more about resveratrol.

About The Site Owners:

David Sinclair, Ph.D., is well respected in the aging research field with over 40 peer reviewed publications. He is the co-founder of Sirtris Pharmaceuticals (recently acquired by GlaxoSmithKline) and currently sits on their Scientific Advisory Board. Sinclair is also a Professor of Pathology at Harvard Medical School and a director at Glenn Laboratories for the Biological Mechanisms of Aging. (more about David Sinclair)

Mark Boguski, M.D., Ph.D., like his partner above, is on the faculty of Harvard Medical School and also the Department of Pathology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Dr. Boguski has served on the board or consulted for numerous companies such as Merck & Co. and Orion Genomics. (more about Dr. Mark Boguski)

Resveratrol Personal Update: Breaks, Sickness, and Continuation

2009-11-01T22:05:55-05:00

Regular "My Resveratrol Experience" updates will resume!

In some of my previous articles I mentioned my supplement regimen, including how much resveratrol I take. Part of this regimen is that I like to take a break from all supplements every 2-3 months. In the beginning of October I decided to take an extended break from resveratrol and the vitamins I am taking. Wouldn't you know... I ended up with a sinus infection and bronchitis beginning in the middle of October.

Now this could all just be a case of coincidence, but it certainly got me thinking. I haven't been sick with anything more than a sniffle in over two years. During this two year time period I began "getting" healthy again which included working out, an improved diet, taking resveratrol, and adding vitamins to my diet. Needless to say I wish there were a way to tell if not taking the resveratrol or vitamins was the cause of me getting sick this month. I guess I'll never know for sure!

Since I have not provided a personal update in a long time I want to recap what I have been doing with my health plan lately. I have continued to eat fairly well. I have a realistic diet that enables me to eat foods I enjoy while maintaining a balance with healthy foods.

Prior to my supplement break I was taking 500mg of 99% Micronized Resveratrol in powder form mixed with juice in the morning. However, I am going to switch back to capsule form simply because it is easier and less time consuming. I will be taking 250mg on non workout days and 500mg on the days I train. I also take a multi-vitamin twice per day.

Prior to the bronchitis I was feeling extremely healthy. I had energy, mental clarity, and was making positive gains in the gym. I can't attribute this to resveratrol for sure, but I feel like it does have something to do with my progress.

I will be getting back to releasing regular articles on a weekly basis. If any important news comes out I will be sure to post it here for your viewing pleasure. As always, please feel free to contribute to the site by asking questions, sharing your own experience, or helping out one another.

Live Longer,

Markus

Resveratrol & Type II Diabetes: New Research

2009-10-24T14:47:24-04:00

Recently, research from UT Southwestern led by Dr. Roberto Coppari, showed that when resveratrol was directly injected into rats fed a high caloric and fat laden diet showed a decrease in insulin level while those on the placebo injection actually showed an increase. This research was different than the research we have seen in the past because in this study the resveratrol was injected directly into the brain. Researchers in this study felt there was not enough evidence to suggest that oral consumption of resveratrol from red wine or supplements would deliver the same effect because the resveratrol does not pass from the blood stream into the brain.

This new research provides direction for further research and for companies looking to create resveratrol based drugs to battle diseases of aging, such as Sirtris Pharmaceuticals and Elixir Pharmaceuticals. They can now focus on finding ways to get the resveratrol to pass from the blood stream into the brain. The study authors further claim that these findings also show that resveratrol activates sirtuins in the brain which may also be responsible for the calorie restriction mimetic effect of resveratrol.

We are still a long way from knowing exactly how and why resveratrol works and if this can be replicated in humans. The good news is there are highly reputable Doctors and Researchers currently working on figuring out how to increase our lifespan while living healthier at the same time.

Live Longer,

Markus

New Resveratrol Scam Alert: What Looks Like News Isn't Always News!

2009-08-23T20:48:53-04:00

Deceptive New Marketing Techniques Takeover The Internet Supplement Market!

In the world of sales, whether on-line or offline, misleading the consumer is not an uncommon practice. The newest misleading sales technique is the "fake" Breaking News web-page.

The website is created to look like an official "news" website written by "real" reporters. The sites often have names that resemble the real local news companies in your area. For instance one might see a website with a news report regarding the medical breakthrough of resveratrol on www.WXKU6.com (example only).

These sites look professional, have traditional news media images and videos, and feel just like the real thing. The problem is these sites are nothing more than a sales tool used to sell you a product. This new tactic has unfortunately hit the resveratrol and supplement markets. Consumers need to question the validity of the reports and news they read.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is now stepping in and creating new legislation for the on-line markets. The days of using celebrities names without their permission and using deceptive marketing practices are over. (well until the crafty marketers figure out ways to get around the legislation) The celebrities are also fighting back with many suing these supplement manufacturers directly. Oprah Winfrey's company Harpo recently sued resveratrol manufactures who used her name to help market resveratrol products. (See Business Week Article)

More importantly you need to protect yourself and be diligent about the products you purchase on-line. If something is offer to you for FREE make sure you read the "fine print." As we all know just about anything good in life is not free. You have to pay for it one way or another. Good products cost money to make and money to buy.

Do your best to protect yourself from the bad seeds and protect your hard earned money. Buy quality well respected products and always DO YOUR RESEARCH!

Live Longer,

Markus

Resveratrol's Popularity Hits the Mainstream!

2009-07-28T22:43:02-04:00

Is the growth and popularity of resveratrol a good thing?

I was recently standing in the check-out line of a local convenience store when I heard the word "Resveratrol" from a conversation between two people in an adjacent line. I could not make out exactly what they were talking about but this wasn't the first time I've heard the "word" used lately.

Since the airing of resveratrol segments on 60-Minutes, Barbara Walters, and Oprah, just about everyone has heard of the "Red Wine Miracle Substance." I had to stop and ask myself whether or not this popularity was a good thing or not.

I took a look at both sides of the argument and came up with the following:

The Good... More people will have the ability to potentially benefit from Resveratrol. More awareness means more people will most likely begin using it.

The Bad... People won't take the time to research exactly what they are putting in their bodies. Their friend says take it so they do.

The Good... More and more Doctors are becoming aware of resveratrol which can ultimately make it safer for people to take. Doctors who are aware can properly recommend, or not recommend, resveratrol based on their patience needs. This means any negative drug interactions can be looked for and avoided.

The Bad... Most people will not discuss their supplement regimen with their Doctors. If you can buy it "over-the-counter" then it must be safe. This is not always true and you should always consult with a physician prior to starting a new diet or supplement.

The Good... People are becoming more aware of how important good health is. Any focus on health is a good aspect of resveratrol's popularity.

The Bad... Resveratrol is not a "wonder drug" that cures all and makes you lose weight just because you take it.

Of course along with this popularity we also get companies who are in it strictly for the money. While I see absolutely nothing wrong with making money from your business, it is disgraceful to flat out lie and manipulate people into buying your products. Stick with the reputable companies who have solid fundamentals.

One of the greatest benefits I see is the potential for increased research. As more people start talking and asking Doctors about resveratrol, the more likely research money will be used to figure out if it's the real deal or not. While I have my hunches about this, I certainly would like to know for sure!

Live Longer,

Markus

Other My Resveratrol Experience Articles:

Micronized Resveratrol - My Personal Choice!

Resveratrol Scam: Warning and Consumer Alert!

Resveratrol Side Effects: User Feedback, The Positives! (Part 2)

Take Part in The "Fresh Air" Fund's 2009 NYC Half Marathon on August 16th!

2009-07-18T13:53:13-04:00

The Fresh Air Fund, a NYC based non-profit agency, is hosting their summer half-marathon in NYC on August 16th. If you are in the NYC area and would to participate you can get more information at freshair.org where you can sign-up to be a runner, sponsor, or contribute to the fund.

Please take a moment to read the information below, visit the freshair.org, and if you can please contribute to a great cause!

What is the Fresh Air fund?

"Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund, a not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer experiences in the country to more than 1.7 million New York City children from disadvantaged communities. Each year, thousands of children visit volunteer host families in 13 states and Canada through the Friendly Town Program or attend one of five Fresh Air Fund camps."

A little about Last Years Event:

"Last summer's NYC Half-Marathon Presented by NIKE was a huge success for The Fresh Air Fund, and we couldn't have done it without all of our Fund-Racers! Thank you to the dedicated runners who participated through our team and to everyone who came out to support us! We raised more than $125,000 which will go directly to our free programs for NYC children."

If you can't make it to the event but would like to contribute to this wonderful organization you can donate here: Give to the Fresh Air fund

Resveratrol Supplements While You are Pregnant?

2009-07-13T17:28:49-04:00

Are taking supplements safe while you are expecting?

I am not a Doctor or an expert on this subject but I wanted to share my thoughts regarding this topic. This is just my personal opinion and thought process.

I've read several accounts on-line of people taking resveratrol or other supplements while they are pregnant. I have been emailed by numerous people asking me if it is safe to take resveratrol while they are pregnant. These questions and accounts concern me.

If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant you need to ask your Doctor whether or not they feel taking supplements are necessary. There is nothing wrong with going on-line and gathering information but you SHOULD NOT base your decisions on this information.

While this may seem like common sense to many of you, it is important to take extra caution when you are pregnant. Many supplements, resveratrol included, have not been researched enough with regards to their effects on pregnancies. The truth is many supplements haven't been studied enough for those who are not pregnant either.

A little less then a year ago my wife and I had our first child. I remember being eager to learn and ask questions when we went for her routine Doctor visits. I was the typical new father-to-be. Never feel like you cannot ask your Doctor a question. If they don't know the answer on the spot, a good Doctor will get back to you after looking into it further.

My thoughts regarding resveratrol while you are pregnant are rather simple; don't take it, it's just not worth the risk.

Live Longer,

Markus