31.01.2011, 14:49 6745

Red wine pill to combat heart disease and cancer

A new drug, called resveratrol, derived from an antioxidant found in grape skins, cures heart disease and cancer, Biotivia makers claim, the agency reports.

Almaty. January 31. Kazakhstan Today - A new drug, called resveratrol, derived from an antioxidant found in grape skins, cures heart disease and cancer, Biotivia makers claim, the agency reports.

A supplement producer claims its 'wonder pill', which includes a substance found in red wine, can prevent heart disease and cancer, Daily Mail reported.

A pound-a-day red wine wonder pill that claims to ward off heart disease, cancer and diabetes is to go on sale in Britain for the first time.

Makers Biotivia claim the resveratrol supplement - derived from an antioxidant found in grape skins and naturally present in red wine - is as beneficial as exercise.

They say the drug can also protect against Alzheimer's as well as delaying the ageing process and tackling obesity-related health problems.

But other experts warn that the benefits are unproven in humans and that it should not be used as a replacement for regular exercise and a healthy diet.

Some studies have indicated that resveratrol could work by preventing the build up of fatty deposits in the arteries caused by high cholesterol. The pill goes on sale at Nutri Centre health stores next month. On Biotivia's website it costs just over 30 pounds for a month's supply.

However, although some positive results have been found in animal studies, there has been no published research to show it works in humans.

Even the animal studies used doses equivalent to 2,000mg a day, while doctors advise that humans should take a daily dose of no more than 50mg.

And they warn that it can cause unpleasant side effects such as insomnia, joint pain, diarrhoea and acne.

Biotivia claims the pill can help prevent cancer by triggering the death of malignant cells. They say it effectively protects against a high-fat, high-calorie diet and even though people would still be overweight they would be less likely to suffer from related health risks.

Some studies have shown it can help reduce inflammation inside the arteries and prevent blood cells sticking together and forming a clot.

Research in 2009 showed the benefits of resveratrol, which is also found in raspberries, blueberries, cranberries and peanuts, extended to helping people to think clearer.

Northumbria University researchers found adults given the supplement performed better in mental arithmetic tests.

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