Resveratrol and the Metabolic Syndrome

The metabolic syndrome is a serious health condition that affects about 35 percent of adults and places them at higher risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke and diseases related to fatty buildups in artery walls. The underlying causes of metabolic syndrome are obesity, being overweight, physical inactivity and genetic factors. In recent decades, the prevalence has increased dramatically in the United States. Lifestyle interventions including dietary modification, physical activity and weight loss form the basis of treatment for these patients. However, research has shown that even when people are able to incorporate these changes, they often revert back to their usual lifestyle resulting in weight gain and continued risk for diabetes and heart disease. Resveratrol, a natural plant derived compound found in grapes, peanuts and red wine, has been found to reverse some of the features of the metabolic syndrome (insulin resistance, high triglycerides, high blood pressure) in rodents. These improvements occurred without weight loss, and were proven to be a direct result of resveratrol ingestion. Other studies reveal improvement in cardiovascular health, tumor suppression, and longevity. However, there are few studies investigating these beneficial effects in humans. In a systematic review of resveratrol research, the authors conclude that "in contrast to the lacking data of resveratrol in humans, the animal data are promising and indicate the need for further human clinical trials." Of the small clinical studies that have been done, the results are encouraging. Improvement in triglycerides, blood pressure and insulin resistance were noted. Resveratrol was well tolerated without serious side effects. These studies, however, did not recruit subjects with the metabolic syndrome, nor were they tightly controlled. The investigators propose to prove that resveratrol, administered to subjects with the metabolic syndrome, under controlled conditions of weight stability, common diet, and strict compliance with the study drug, will improve the symptoms of the metabolic syndrome, thereby decreasing the chance of developing diabetes or heart disease.