There are a ton of natural treatments and cures out there. But it’s rare to find one that we’d call a true “miracle.” This one definitely fits the bill… by a long shot.
Here’s the latest.
A group of researchers out of Maastricht University Medical Center found that this compound could potentially help you get fitter. The study appears in a recent issue of Cell Metabolism.
Over 30 days, they examined 11 obese – but otherwise healthy – men. Some got a placebo. The others took 150 mg of this key ingredient. But that was it. Their diets didn’t change. They didn’t start exercising.
After just a few weeks, these men experienced the kind of metabolic changes you’d expect from restricting calories or endurance training. What’s more, systolic blood pressure decreased and levels of liver fat and blood sugar also dropped.
So what was this miraculous compound? It’s one supplement you should be taking already anyway…
Resveratrol.
That’s right. The anti-aging wonder we’ve been talking about for years has even more benefits than previously thought.
This was the first study of its effects on obese people. And the results mirror earlier efforts in animals.
Here’s how it worked…
The resveratrol slowed the sleeping metabolic rate in the subjects.1 Sounds counterintuitive, I know. But what that means is that the body required less food to produce enough energy. It made cells burn fuel more efficiently… as if they were elite athletes.
According to the researchers, “We demonstrate beneficial effects of resveratrol supplementation for 30 days on the metabolic profile in healthy obese males, which seems to reflect effects observed during calorie restriction.”2
As an added bonus, they found that it was perfectly safe. Not one reported adverse effect.
Study author Patrick Schrauwen points out that he doesn’t believe it’s a weight loss solution. But he’s quick to add, “It seems to make you metabolically healthier without weight loss.”3
That’s significant. Especially if you’re carrying around a few extra pounds.
And just a few weeks ago, a new study out of Korea had similar findings. These Yeungnam University researchers extracted resveratrol from grape skin. And they concluded that it helped regulate lipid metabolism… and “may be useful for preventing obesity.”4
We’ve written extensively about resveratrol before. It’s a powerful antioxidant. It has been shown to fight heart disease, slow down the effects of aging, stop breast cancer development and slash your risk of Parkinson’s. Studies also show that this natural compound has specific bone-building benefits.
You can get resveratrol by drinking red wine. The super compound is also present in peanuts, mulberries, and blueberries.
The recommended dose varies.
Take, for instance, a University of Buffalo study recently published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.5 Researchers found that 40 mg of resveratrol can have significant benefits. That’s a pretty small dose. Studies continue to examine the risks and benefits of large doses (400 mg and up). Some doctors say you can take up to 1,000 mg per day.
But keep this in mind… It’s nearly impossible to get even 40 mg of resveratrol from food. But you can get it in supplement form. The super compound comes in capsules and extracts. It also comes combined with other supplements. You can find these online or at most health food stores.
Of course, if you need to lose weight, you must make changes to your diet. But now you know you’ll also want to supplement your efforts with this truly amazing compound.
Editor’s Note: Extra weight from a slower metabolism is just one more thing we have to worry about as we get older – especially going into the holiday season. But recent studies show that the symptoms of aging are just like any others. They can be treated or eliminated. Go here to discover how to get the details on specific ways you can stop the clock – and even turn it back.
References:
1http://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/abstract/S1550-4131%2811%2900386-X
2http://www.lef.org/newsletter/2011/1104_Resveratrol-Mimics-Calorie-Restrictions-Effects-on-Metabolism.htm
3http://abcnews.go.com/Health/w_DietAndFitnessNews/red-wine-ingredient-resveratrol-mimics-calorie-restriction-obese/story?id=14852698#.UG2a4fV2N8E
4http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22977681
5http://jcem.endojournals.org/content/95/9/E1.abstract