Resveratrol may prevent leading cause of blindness

An antioxidant found in grapes may hold the key in preventing some of the leading causes of blindness. A recent study conducted by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis revealed that resveratrol which is found in red wine grapes? may be an effective treatment for those suffering from diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. In the study, researchers caused the formation of abnormal blood vessels in the eyes of mice by using laser treatments. Resveratrol was then used to treat the mice. What they discovered is that once the mice received the resveratrol, the abnormal blood vessels began to disappear. Researchers then studied the blood vessel cells and found a specific pathway was responsible for resveratrol's protective effects. This pathway had not been discovered in previous studies of resveratrol. The new pathway could be a new target for future therapies. Researchers think the new pathway may play a part in both age-related eye disease as well as those diseases associated with angiogenesis. Resveratrol is taken orally which makes it attractive as a therapy as well. Dr. Paul Krawitz recently announced Reziva, a unique resveratrol product. Unlike other manufacturers' products, in which the resveratrol is derived from a roadside weed known as Japanese Knotweed, Reziva is derived from the same red grapes that are used to make French red wine. Reziva contains no alcohol or sugar. Elise Ervin Staff Writer