Resveratrol improves the heart health of patients with heart disease

75 patients with stable coronary artery disease were supplemented with a grape extract supplying Resveratrol, a conventional grape extract without Resveratrol or inactive placebo for the first six-months of this year-long study. The dosages were doubled for the second six-months of the study. Only the Resveratrol rich supplement had an impact on cardiovascular health.

Those on Resveratrol rich grape extract experienced a 10 % increase in adiponectin. Adiponectin helps burn belly fat, reduces inflammation in the arteries and the heart, protects the liver and decreases fatty damage in the liver. Adiponectin also decreases the risk of developing diabetes. The paradox of adiponectin is the following; although it is released from fat cells, less and less adiponectin is released as people gain weight on their belly.

Resveratrol rich grape extract also reduced PAI-1 by 19 %. PAI-1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1) blocks the degradation of blood clots. Elevated PAI-1 is seen in obesity and metabolic syndrome and it increases the risk of developing a blood clot. (I don’t think most Americans realize that the majority of deaths in our country are due to blood clots; Jerry Hickey, R.Ph.). Additionally, Resveratrol controlled 6 key transcription factors that impact inflammation through their effects on genes. Resveratrol additionally controlled 27 genes involved with inflammation and cell damage.

Using Resveratrol in patients with heart disease has definite cardiovascular benefits. It could reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke by inhibiting PAI-1 and improper signals that trigger dangerous clotting and also by improving adiponectin levels. The study is published online ahead of print, January 2013 in the journal Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy.