The magnificent 7

The magnificent 7: Our ingredient picks for 2011
3. Polyphenols

Why we like it now:

Polyphenols, and more specifically resveratrol (and more recently its methylated analogue pterostilbene) gained cache at Harvard in anti-aging studies that showed resveratrol in particular could extend the life and performance of a range of creatures from yeast to mice, even primates. That it can be found in red wine (pinot noir in particular) has only helped its sex appeal. That it is easily degraded, on the other hand, has not helped matters. The Harvard researchers who pioneered research can give you 700 million reasons why he likes it, courtesy of GSK, which bought Sirtris for about that much. Pterostilbene contains two methoxy groups and one hydroxyl group while resveratrol has three hydroxyl groups. This is important because the hydroxyl groups make it more easily eliminated from the body, so pterostilbene may have higher potential for cellular uptake.

What science says:

Old mice fed resveratrol with their basic diet had marked reductions in a host of aging signs, from reduced cataracts to preserved bone mineral density, increased aortic elasticity and greater motor coordination. However, they didn't live any longer than controls.5,6 A lower-dose study comparing reservatrol to Longevinex (a finished product also containing quercetin and IP-6) showed mimicking of life-prolonging calorie-restricted diet with both, while the blend had additional gene-expression effects.7 In a National Cancer Institute study published in November 2010, pterostilbene showed superior bioavailability and total plasma levels of both the parent compound and metabolites compared to resveratrol.8 The first human clinical on pterostilbene will get under way this year, focusing on cholesterol and blood pressure-lowering effects.

Our favorite delivery system:

Reactive by nature, these compounds perform best in supplements.

Get it here:

Chromadex, Draco, DSM, Cyvex, OptiPure, Polyphenolics, Sabinsa

http://www.functionalingredientsmag.com/article/Ingredient-Focus/the-magnificent-7-our-ingredient-picks-for-2011.aspx

http://www.depsyl.com/

http://back2basicnutrition.com/

http://bionutritionalresearch.olhblogspace.com/