On the January 25, 2008 airing of CBS’s news magazine “60 minutes” reporter Morley Safer introduced the public to the benefits of resveratrol, a substance that heretofore was known primarily in the confines of research labs. And to the glee of many wine aficionados Safer revealed that red wine was a leading source of resveratrol. Doctors caution “imbibers” that despite the benefits of resveratrol available in red wine this is not carte blanche to drink to excess.

In the segment Dr. Christopher Westfall (who along with biochemist David Sinclair has been studying the benefits of resveratrol since 2003) stated, “We all may soon be taking a drug that just might beat the clock, a simple pill that could delay the inevitable. Our goal is to prevent and forestall many of the diseases that strike us as we reach 50, 60, and 70. All with one pill.” When Safer asked Dr. Westfall if resveratrol could turn a 70-year-old into a 35-year-old Westfall replied, “”That might be pretty hard to do. But I think if we’re on a train heading one direction, we can slow down that train. I think we can slow down these genes that control the aging process.”

And just what are the benefits of resveratrol? Reports from scientists claim that it may:

* lower the risk of heart disease

* lower cholesterol levels

* boost metabolism and help speed attempted weight loss

* increase sex drive

* help protect against Alzheimer’s disease

If you’re like a lot of people you’re thinking, “Sign me up!” so you can begin enjoying the benefits of resveratrol for yourself. As stated earlier, red wine appears to be an excellent, albeit impractical source of resveratrol. The good news is that it’s not the wine per se, but the grapes used to make the wine that contain the resveratrol you’re looking for. Fortunately, there are many reputable companies manufacturing dietary supplement pills that contain high levels of resveratrol.