Pterostilbene is New
Pterostilbene has not received much attention in the past, now it is arousing attention. This natural compound is a powerful anti-oxidant that has been found in the skins of red grapes and also in blueberries. It is more abundant in blueberries than in red grape skins. Chemically Pterostilbene is defined as a stilbenoid and is related to resveratrol. Because Pterostilbene is considered the key compound found in blueberries, it is anti-cancer, anti-hypercholesterolemia, and anti-hypertriglyceridemia, and it is believed to fight off cognitive decline. It is also considered to be anti-diabetic; more research is needed to verify this quality.
The current research is expanding our understanding of Pterostilbene. Agnes Rimando, a chemist at ARS’s Natural Products Utilization Research Laboratory in Oxford, Mississippi has been working with it and finds Pterostilbene will reduce blood glucose for diabetics. She also found it is fungicidal. As the research has continued, it was found in 2002 when an animal study using mice discovered Pterostilbene was as effective in fighting cancer as resveratrol. They also found it to be a powerful anti-oxidant. In total, all of the studies, both past and current, have identified the following benefits:
Anti-Cancer Effects: Rimando at UIC conducted research in which his team found the rat mammary glands, being used in the project, resisted cancer because the pterostilbene was such a powerful anti-oxidant and exhibited cancer resistance in similar concentrations as resveratrol would have.
Rimando’s team continued to develop data from their on-going research to explain pterostilbene’s anti-cancer effects. Pterostilbene demonstrated that it and other analogs of resveratrol strongly resist an enzyme, cytochrome P450. Cytochrome P450 enzymes activate a variety of compounds called procarcinogens. These compounds act to turn cigarette smoke or pesticide into carcinogens.
Diabetes: It was found that pterostilbene performed in a manner similar to the drug Metformin. Pterostilbene was shown to lower blood glucose in rats as much as 56 percent, and at the same time it raised insulin and hemoglobin to almost normal level.
Cognitive Decline: There was an animal study using 40 rats that were all 19 months of age. This study was designed to divide the rats into groups and feed them a normal diet or a diet containing blueberry, strawberry or spinach extracts. It was found that the rats fed the blueberry extracts experienced a reversal in motor-skill reduction caused by aging and other cognitive impairments. All of the diets listed above showed a reduction in motor skill decline, but none of them came close to what the blueberries did.
Pterostilbene, in another animal study, performed in such a way to resist precancerous tumor growths in the colon. The genes involved with inflammation were prevented from causing tumors in the colon leading to colon cancer. Pterostilbene influences gene expression and when it is combined with resveratrol, it has the ability to activate a large number of genes whose job is to prevent disease. Pterostilbene has the ability to reduce cholesterol levels and resist heart disease. Its ability to lower cholesterol is just as powerful as the prescription drug, Ciprofibrate, which is used to lower cholesterol and triglycerides. Pterostilbene does not have the side effects of Ciprofibrate and anyone can take the supplement.
Pterostilbene influences gene expression and if resveratrol is combined, it can activate a large number of genes whose job is to prevent disease. After examining data from research, the scientists discovered that many of the same genes that help give extension to life are influenced very favorably when plant extracts such as resveratrol and pterostilbene are ingested. This gives support to blood lipids and triglyceride levels and supports and promotes good heart health.
Cognitive decline is a common problem encountered by people as they age. But if they add pterostilbene to their diet, the cognitive decline will be lessened or eliminated. Lowering blood glucose is another benefit of pterostilbene, and one that makes it a strong anti-diabetic. An animal study using rats produced data proving it lowered blood sugar as well as Metformin, a well known anti-diabetic drug. Some researchers believe pterostilbene is stronger and more beneficial than resveratrol.
Pterostilbene is produced by blueberry plants and also by red and black wine grapes. The chemical called phytoalexins is stronger in the red and black wine grapes. Research has also found that the phytoalexins are 60 to 100 times more powerful than resveratrol as an anti-fungal agent. Pterostilbene and resveratrol work together to support their gene expression. It will work to reduce fat cells, increase fat oxidation, reduce blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and provide anti-cancer protection. Resveratrol and pterostilbene are best ingested together as a daily supplement.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a Doctor and do not give medical advice; this is a news report and cannot substitute for the advice of a medical professional.
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