My DH started on Resveratrol in january. We went on vacation, and took a cruise with friends from Miami, then stayed at their home for a few days in Florida Before leaving for home. DH became very crotchety those last few days, and I thought it might be just stress from being away from home. At the same time he came down with a cold, and complained about burning urine... We went to the Doctor upon returning home, and i stopped the Resveratrol just to see if that was causing the burning urine. he got over the cold, and I began the Resveratrol again. Last week my step son came up to help me paint the house. DH got very crotchety again, actually Jealous of his son who was helping me and I guess feeling inadequate about not doing the painting himself. (he's 85 and has back problems, besides the AD) Anyway, I'm wondering if the change in personality (he's usually very pleasant) could be the Resveratrol or just the stress of something different. Anyone have these kinds of reactions to new things being added? I'm not stopping the Resveratrol, he hasn't complained about burning urine, and of course I am home now, so I can check the doctor, but i thought it was interesting that this happened. The reason I was so quick to blame the Resveratrol was because when he has been on other meds, like pain killers after his rotator cuff surgery, the same thing happened, the crankiness, I mean.
Resveratrol is a non-prescription product which our dr also recommended. It is the antioxidant found in red wine. One pill supposedly provides more resveratrol than a whole bottle of wine! I can't tell whether or not it has helped.
Resveratrol is one of those supplements that some people believe may help. There is enough anecdotal evidence, and a reasonable rationale, for clinical trials to now be under way. There are two trials, one that is recruiting and one that is just getting going.
However, from what I've seen, it may not be the resveratrol itself, but possibly some other component in certain preparations ... or else a second component makes the resveratrol much more effective. All resveratrol supplements are not created equal.
Chris, because this is not a regulated drug, the usual web sites for researching side effects don't have anything. Some of the other sites that appear to have info are actually trying to push resveratrol as the cure for everything.
The best thing I've found (haven't spent a lot of time on this) is a consumerlab.com report (requires registration), posted elsewhere at:
Although adverse effects of resveratrol in people have not been reported, its safety has not been well evaluated. Short-term studies in healthy animals have shown side effects only at extremely high doses (over 300 mg per kilogram). Long-term side effects are not known.
Resveratrol has mild estrogenic activity that has not been evaluated in humans. Until more is known, women with estrogen-sensitive conditions, including some cancers, are advised to consult a physician before taking resveratrol.
Particularly due to potential anti-growth factor properties, resveratrol should not be used by children nor by woman who are pregnant, nursing or trying to conceive.
Resveratrol reduces the activity of enzymes involved with drug metabolism. Whether resveratrol interferes with drug therapies in humans has not been studied and individuals taking prescription medications are advised to consult a physician before taking resveratrol because of potential drug interactions.
Because resveratrol demonstrates antiplatelet (blood-thinning) activity, individuals taking blood thinners are strongly advised to consult a physician before taking resveratrol because of potential drug interactions.
Actually he is involved in a test with Mt sinai Hospital, NYC. Maybe the way he's acting would be normal, regardless. Last night he had some sort of Nightmare... Sudenly, at 4 AM he began yelling, "What the h..l is wrong with you" then tried to jump up, and fell out of bed. Even then still yelling, and thinking he was yelling at me. Honestly, I got nervous, and didn't put my hand on him to help him up, Just spoke softly, until he came to himself. After awhile, in bed, he apologized to me, didn't know why he had been so nasty. i assured him, he was having a bad dream, but honestly, he has not been his nice easy going self lately. Maybe it has nothing to do with the Resveratrol, who knows. this disease is just such a horror.
Chris, you might want to take a look at the potential side effects of his OTHER meds. If the resveratrol is interfering with their metabolism, it might cause them to build up in the bloodstream (so he's effectively over-medicated) or not be as bioavailable (so he's effectively undermedicated.) I'd certainly talk to the doctors involved in the test.
Funny, I wish I'd read what was said here before we were at the doctor today. i mentioned his anger, which actually I didn't mention here, but he has been having what i called temper tantrums lately, especially when I try to give him a shower. They didn't think his personality changes were due to the Resveratrol, and since I've been kind of hit and miss with it, they wanted me to try a little longer with Concord Grape juice, NOT wine, and see how it affected him. OK, I'll give it one more shot, and will report back. thanks for all your input. c