PCOS NUTRITION CENTER BLOG

Resveratrol, a component of red wine and grapes, has been shown to offer numerous health benefits in helping to improve both metabolic and reproductive aspects in women with PCOS.

What is Resveratrol?

Resveratrol, an antioxidant found in the skin of grapes, berries, red wine and peanuts, has shown encouraging results for helping restore hormone balance and fertility in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Resveratrol has been known for anti-aging, anticancer, and cardioprotective properties. Rich in polyphenols and antioxidants, resveratrol has been shown to have the potential to fight inflammation as well as reduce cholesterol and insulin in other populations.

Resveratrol in red wine has been suggested to be the secret to the “French Paradox,” a reason why people living in France have low levels of heart disease despite a high saturated fat diet (comprised mainly of cheese and butter) and high rates of smoking.

People with PCOS tend to have higher levels of male hormones such as testosterone and insulin which can lead to infertility and type 2 diabetes. Traditional treatments for PCOS have included nutrition and lifestyle modifications, insulin sensitizing medications, birth control, and ovulation inductors. Research into the role certain dietary supplements, like resveratrol, has started to get more attention as women with PCOS want safer and more natural treatments to improve their condition.

Resveratrol may help support*:

Cardiovascular system*

Neurological health*

Healthy aging*

Glucose & insulin regulation*

Inflammation*

Lowering adrenal & ovarian androgens*

Oocyte quality and maturation*

Menstrual regularity*

Resveratrol for PCOS

As a potent antioxidant, resveratrol might be effective at improving fertility by improving egg (oocyte) quality and maturation, both of which can be limited in people with PCOS, as well as lowering testosterone and insulin levels. Here is what the research has shown about the benefits of resveratrol for PCOS patients.

In a triple-blind randomized control trial, 62 PCOS patients were randomly assigned to two groups. All patients took resveratrol 800 mg/day or placebo for 40 days orally from the beginning of their previous menstruation cycle until the oocyte retrieval day. A significant mean difference was seen in the FSH, LH, TSH, and testosterone between the two groups and the high-quality oocyte rate and high-quality embryo rate were higher in the resveratrol group.

A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found that resveratrol (1,500 mg) over a period of 3 months led to a 23% reduction in total testosterone levels and 22% reduction in DHEA sulfate levels. The other good news was that women who were given resveratrol improved their insulin levels. In fact, fasting insulin levels dropped by a whopping 32% during the three-month study.

PCOS women, between 18-40 years, were randomized to either 1000 mg resveratrol or 1000 mg placebo for 3 months. At the end of the study, it was found that women who received resveratrol had a statistically higher regular periods, as compared to those who got placebo (76.47% vs. 51.61%), and lower hair loss (32.10% vs. 68.00%).

A similar study found resveratrol, as compared with placebo, was associated with a significantly higher rate of improvement in the ovarian morphology. Women who received resveratrol had a more dominant follicle than those getting placebo, with a significant reduction in the ovarian volume.

Previous animal studies involving mice did find that resveratrol improved androgens, insulin, leptin and resulted in weight loss.

Resveratrol Combined with Quercetin

Synergy between resveratrol and quercetin indicates that the two compounds together may be more beneficial than either one taken alone. The PCOS Nutrition Center Resveratrol Protect is an exciting combination of two powerful antioxidants, resveratrol and quercetin.

Quercetin has been called “king of the flavonoids” because of its powerful antioxidant properties and its ability to support a healthy inflammatory response in the body. Quercetin is found in many foods such as red onions, apples, olive oil, dark berries and grapes, capers, salad greens, and culinary herbs such as dill, cilantro, watercress, and radicchio. (Quercetin contributes to the bold colors of these foods.) Laboratory studies show an anti-inflammatory effect of quercetin, including inhibition of histamine release which may make it helpful for allergy sufferers.

Resveratrol for PCOS: What to Know

Before you uncork that bottle of cabernet know this: the amount of resveratrol in 1,500 mg (as used in one study) is the equivalent of drinking between 100 to 200 liters of wine a day. Overall, resveratrol does not appear to have side effects and is well tolerated.  No major side effects were stated in long-term clinical trials. In fact, resveratrol has been found to be safe and well-tolerated at up to 5 g/day, either as a single dose or as fraction of multiple-day dosing schedule. Risks to pregnant women or to babies in utero are unknown.

Resveratrol may decrease the effectiveness of certain medications, including blood thinners, cholesterol-lowering statins, immunosuppressive pharmaceuticals, and chemotherapeutic agents.

Sources

Bo S. Six months of resveratrol supplementation has no measurable effect in type 2 diabetic patients. A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial. Pharmacol Res. 2016 Sep;111:896-905.

Beata Banaszewska et al. Effects of Resveratrol on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial. J ClinEndocrinol Metab 2016;101: 3575–3581.

Ortega I, Duleba AJ. Ovarian actions of resveratrol. 2015;Ann N Y Acad Sci.Aug;1348(1):86-96.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.