Resveratrol: Increases Propensity for Migraines

There is much talk today about the next "fountain of youth" discovery - Resveratrol. Resveratrol is a natural substance found in many plants, including grapes, peanuts and Japanese Knotweed. The introduction of resveratrol as a "cure-all" with such claims as its being an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory anti-cancer, antiviral, anti-aging, as well as a weight-loss and performance enhancing panacea, has given rise to its recent popularity.

We are concerned with the effect that resveratrol has on the occurrence of migraines. Or more to the point - we are warning migraineurs not to drink Resveratrol.

Resveratrol is a basic substance found in red wine - in fact, that is how the properties of resveratrol were discovered; however, in resveratrol dietary supplements the concentration is much higher. A 5-ounce glass of red wine provides about 0.30-1.07 mg of resveratrol; by comparison, a dietary supplement can provide 100 mg of resveratrol per capsule. Since we know that red wine can easily trigger migraine headaches, it follows that taking resveratrol could do the same.

Headache is a reported side effect of taking resveratrol. These headaches can start within a day or two of first taking resveratrol and can continue for an extended length of time after stopping resveratrol. This is true even for those who do not get migraines.

The reason why resveratrol triggers migraines is that it promotes vasodilation by enhancing the production of a naturally occurring substance in the body called nitric oxide. If you have been following the migraine research of Tuliv, you have seen that nitric oxide is one of the most prominent factors involved in a migraine headache.

Our recommendation is to avoid resveratrol if you get migraines. If you are going to try it, do so with a controlled test and keep track of your results. You may want to print and use our headache dairy for such a purpose.

To learn more about what triggers to avoid and why, please visit www.tuliv.com or click here to print our list. If you are in doubt about what may be triggering your migraines, please email me at Lyle@Tuliv.com for assistance.

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References:

1. Resveratrol Increases Nitric Oxide Synthase, Induces Accumulation of p53 and p21WAF1/CIP1, and Suppresses Cultured Bovine Pulmonary Artery Endothelial Cell Proliferation by Perturbing Progression through S and G21 - Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology [T-c. H., J. M. W.] and Brander Cancer Research Institute [G. J., Z. D.], New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York 10595 http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org
2. Resveratrol stimulates nitric oxide production by increasing estrogen receptor -Src-caveolin-1 interaction and phosphorylation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. - Klinge CM, Wickramasinghe NS, Ivanova MM, Dougherty SM. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292, USA http://www.biotivia.com/
3. Upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene expression after 24 to 72 hours incubation. Resveratrol-enhanced. eNOS expression and activity - Dirk Taubert, MD, PhD, Reinhard Berkels, PhD, Department of Pharmacology University of Cologne, Cologne, German- 2003 http://www.circ.ahajournals.org

Note: After posting this article on Tuliv Blog, I received the following comment from Bill Sardi, Resveratrol Partners LLC. He admits that this product does cause headaches, but explains the reason differently. In any case, no one who gets migraine should use this product.

"Resveratrol does not induce headache by vasodilation. It induces headache among those who are anemic. Fertile women have menstrual migraines, similar condition. Resveratrol is a copper-chelating molecule and it can drop the hemoglobin level a bit, inducing anemia. It is not intended for child-bearing females or growing children (yes, it will give many of them a headache). It should be consumed in relatively low dose in supplements, no more than 350 mg. If headaches, Achilles heel tendonitis, anxiety reactions, stiff hands, skin rash, flu-like symptoms occur, you may be anemic and should stop taking resveratrol."
Bill Sardi, Resveratrol Partners LLC, dba LONGEVINEX

If you have any questions about this article or migraine prevention, please call 1-866-367-5953 or send email to Questions@Tuliv.com.

Call and visit with a migraine specialist at 1-866-367-5953 (outside the US and Canada call 405-692-4395). All calls are considered personal and confidential. There is no cost or obligation for your call.

Send Emails to Questions@Tuliv.com .

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