Q: What is reservatrol? Will it help me in the gym? If so, how much should I take?

A: You mean resveratrol, but it’s not you fault for misspelling the name of this powerful antioxidant. Many websites mistakenly list this supplement as reservatrol. Resveratrol, known as 3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene, is a natural polyphenolic compound found mainly in the skin and seeds of grapes. It’s one of the compounds that scientists believe give red wine the health benefits it imparts. Some types of plants, such as grapes, produce resveratrol in response to stress, injury, fungal infection, or ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In humans, it may help to prevent certain types of cancer and heart disease, as well as extend lifespan, bolster muscle endurance and even help with fat loss. A recent study from the Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology reported in the journal Cell that mice given resveratrol run twice as far before reaching exhaustion as those given a placebo. It also helped them avoid fat gain despite eating a high fat diet. So yes, Reveratrol can help you in the gym by increasing your muscle endurance and possibly helping with fat loss. Resveratrol has also been shown to work as what’s called a selective estrogen antagonist and agonist. That means that it can block estrogen production when estrogen levels are too high and yet increase estrogen production when estrogen levels are too low. That can help you to maintain balanced estrogen levels in your body. Try taking 100-500 mg of resveratrol or grape seed extract (Vitis vinifera) in the morning and 30 minutes prior to exercise.

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