Resveratrol, is the supplement made (in)-famous by Dr. David Sinclair from Harvard, in his excellent book Lifespan – mandatory reading for anyone serious about bio-hacking. Although the considerable longevity benefits of resveratrol have only really been proven in mice and it, for obvious reasons is too early to tell for humans, nonetheless both David Sinclar and I, take it each morning as part of our longevity protocol. So, although resveratrol will not directly have any impact on short term hair loss, long term it could have an enormous impact (it is stated that resveratrol has the same effect on humans as it has proven to have on mice) as it will slow down and in some cases even reverse your ageing. Let’s dig into what resveratrol is and why it is believed to have longevity benefits.
What Is Resveratrol?
Resveratrol is a naturally occurring antioxidant that is found in food and can also be added to food supplements and hair vitamins.
Studies have shown that Resveratrol has a number of positive effects on health and even on hair. If used regularly, this antioxidant can have significant effects on reducing the symptoms of hair loss that are the cause of numerous conditions.
Because it boosts the immune system, Resveratrol can significantly help to reduce hair loss for conditions that are related to the immune system and skin illnesses such as psoriasis.
Studies are still ongoing when it comes to this antioxidant, however, we already know enough to be confident about its positive implications on our hair. Plus, because this is an antioxidant that naturally occurs in certain foods, there are no side effects from its consumption.
Resveratrol Sources and Scientific Background
The best natural sources of Resveratrol are grapes and nuts.
The effect of Resveratrol on the human body comes from the natural process that occurs in plants which contain Resveratrol.
First, it is a polyphenol – a micronutrient that naturally occurs in plants. Some plants produce it to protect themselves against pests, diseases, infection, and even ultraviolet damage from the sun. Resveratrol makes the skin of these plants stronger, similar to the way that it makes human skin stronger, which means that the plants are better protected from outside dangers.
On a deeper scientific level, Resveratrol activates “longevity” enzymes that are known as Sirtuins – a family of signalling proteins involved in metabolic regulation (note. basically, it fools your body to think it is starving, like intermediate fasting, activating autophagy for example). Sirtuins are localized within the mitochondria, the parts of a cell where respiration and energy production occur. The mitochondria are vital for the overall health of any organism. Therefore, because Resveratrol can boost the strength and health of mitochondria, it results in the overall health boost of our cells and thus our entire body.
When Resveratrol activates the Sirtuin protein, it boosts the metabolic process within the cell. The better our mitochondrial function, the better our cells can function and regenerate themselves, which is a crucial step for healing and detoxifying our bodies.
Currently, the best health benefits of Resveratrol according to recent research are connected with the health of our heart, skin, and hair. Although research that looks at the immediate connection between Resveratrol and hair loss is still in its early stages, enough is already known to make us confident about the health benefits that this antioxidant has on hair follicles.
Benefits of Reveratrol for Hair and Health: Conclusion
To conclude, the use of Resveratrol has many positive benefits on your overall health and the strength of your hair. If you suffer from symptoms of hair loss, thinning hair, or receding hairlines, this antioxidant could provide you with some relief to the problem.
Other health benefits connected to Resveratrol include anti-inflammation properties, better cardiovascular health, better metabolic function, better endothelial function, and anti-ageing effects.
Although Resveratrol is found in natural foods, which should be consumed daily in measured amounts, in order to provide the full benefits of this antioxidant, to get the full longevity boost, there is simply no other way than taking it as a supplement.