Pterostilbene
Background
Everyone is talking about Pterostilbene, the potent antioxidant that has been making headlines as an anti-aging supplement, with Pterostilbene-based formulas going for as much as $50 a bottle.
They want to know: what is this new anti-aging supplement and what makes it so powerful?
Pterostilbene is dimethylated derivative of resveratrol, a phenol in the stilbenoid family. For those of you who don’t already know, stilbenoids are hydroxylated derivatives of stilbene.
Stilbene is not, as its name would suggest, a lazy lentil, rather it is one of two stereoisomers.
If you’re a science major, you probably already know that stereoisomers are not guys with fetishes for sound systems, rather they are isomeric molecules that share the same molecular formula and sequence of binding atoms.
Pterostilbene is a dietary supplement that is still being researched to this day to determine its exact biological effects.
Trials are underway to see if Pterostilbene would be advantageous to those suffering from age-related neurological disorders. One such study examined its antioxidant activity and found that it exerted a vast array of effects on multiple systems in the body.
But that is just one piece of the proverbial puzzle where this protective pill is concerned. Below you will discover the full extent to which Pterostilbene may be beneficial to human health.
Blood Sugar Regulation
Pterostilbene has been shown to promote healthy blood sugar. In a twelve-week study that used ninety-seven adult participants, 67% of those patients came a3>way with ideal glucose levels.
Longevity
Trans-pterostilbene is not the Kaitlyn Jenner of stilbenes, rather it is the Bruce Jenner of bioactive chemicals, supporting health and endurance and alleviating irritation.
It helps you stay fit by serving as a caloric restriction mimetic, enabling the body to release adiponectin, something which is key to the healing process. There is much speculation about Pterostilbene’s ability to help users live longer by drastically depleting cognitive and cellular stress levels.
Heart & Muscle Protection
Pterostilbene inhibits blood reperfusion damages by enabling a specific pathway that is part of our body’s injury response. When administered to bodybuilders, Pterostilbene maximized the thickness of their quadriceps.
In fact, Pterostilbene has caused quite the chatter in bodybuilding forums with users posting about its insulin-like effects and more. And its cardiovascular benefits are well-documented as it famously lowers cholesterol and supports heart health.
Burns Fat / Helps With Weight Loss
Daily supplementation of Pterostilbene is linked to notable weight loss. A study conducted using mice showed reduction of fat mass by between 15% and 22% based on how much Pterostilbene was given to them.
A study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry also showed that Pterostilbene possesses antiobesity properties.
According to the team’s findings, this is due, at least partially, to diminished lipogenesis in adipose tissue and an uptake in fatty acid oxidation in the liver.
Replenishes Brain Cells
As noted above, Pterostilbene exerts antioxidant effects; these effects assist in the health of brain cells. Research reflects that Pterostilbene promotes strong motor function and enhanced cognitive capacity in those afflicted with memory disorders.
Good For Eyesight
Pterostilbene has been proven to protect corneal epithelial cells from harmful inflammation. It achieves this by way of an anti-oxidative pathway.
It shields your ocular surface against a range of damaging elements including straining and oxidative stress. This makes it an ideal tonic for those suffering from dry eye.
Anti-Cancer Effects
That’s right, Pterostilbene exhibits anti-cancer effects, raising cell death and diminishing cell reproduction. It also occludes the generation of blood vessels, an integral part of tumor growth and cancer cell development.
Those already diagnosed with lung cancer can see a reduction in cancer cell migration when taking Pterostilbene in sufficient doses.
Certain dosages of Pterostilbene have also decreased the rate of pancreatic cancer and melanoma by limiting glucocorticoid production.
In women with breast cancer, Pterostilbene reactivates estrogen receptor-alpha receptor production and lowers NF-KB production.
Mental Health Benefits
Pterostilbene is beneficial to the brain in a multitude of ways. Pterostilbene levels in the hippocampus results in the release of dopamine.
It causes a reduction in brain cell death and optimizes the vitality of brain cells in persons with Alzheimer’s disease.
Some have said that a low dose of Pterostilbene is a “potent neuromodulator” in aging patients with memory issues.
Mood & Mind
Pterostilbene is believed to be an anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) agent in low doses and studies show that it substantially improved mood in lab mice who were given cognitive tests. In fact, Pterostilbene supplements are marketed as cognitive enhancers due to its calming effects.
Staying Power
Not only is Pterostilbene highly bioavailable but it is has a half-life that is substantially longer than its cousin, Resveratrol. While Resveratrol’s bioavailability is 20%, Pterostilbene’s is a whopping 80%, and its half-life lasts 105 minutes versus Resveratrol’s measly 14 minutes.
It’s In What You Eat
Many people already know that Pterostilbene can be found in blueberries, but that’s not the only place you’ll find it. Pterostilbene occurs naturally in grape leaves, almonds, red wine, peanuts, mulberries, red grapes and cocoa.
The bad news is that the pasteurization process involved in US almond production may nullify the stilbene content, but the good news is, keep munching away on those blueberries as they contain 52-99 nanograms of Pterostilbene per gram.
Why Take Pterostilbene Supplements?
While the majority of foods containing Pterostilbene are fun and healthy things to munch on, the amount of the compound contained within each one is so minimal that experts doubt any benefits could be unlocked as a result of eating them.
We are talking trace amounts versus the sufficient dosages in each supplement.
Dosages
The proper dosage of Pterostilbene varies depending upon weight and other factors. If you are taking it to relieve anxiety or improve your mood, the following amounts are recommended:
- 5.5-11 mg (150 lb person)
- 7.3-14.5 mg (200 1b person)
- 9-18 mg (250 lb person)
If you are taking Pterostilbene for lipid and glucose metabolism, the following are the right amounts for you:
- 215-430 mg (150 lb person)
- 290-580 mg (200 lb person)
- 365-730 mg (250 lb person)
Knowing When & What To Believe
A lot of the Pterostilbene supplements on the market sell you on the idea that Pterostilbene unleashes jaw-dropping cognitive effects, treating it like a miracle drug and, while some evidence does point to its health benefits, it is important to remember that there have been limited human trials.
As a matter of fact, one source reports that 5-10 mgs of Pterostilbene in mice failed to have any anxiolytic effects, “suggesting,” they say, “a bell-curve that may favor lower dosages such as is found in food consumption rather than higher dosages from supplementation.”
That said, there are those who swear by Pterostilbene for a variety of reasons. It currently holds a five-star customer rating average on Puritan Pride’s website and nootropic reviewers like Nootriment and Supplement Police have sung its praises.
In a five-star review on Amazon, one customer wrote, “Great product, awesome price, even better results!” Another customer who, as it happens, is an orthomolecular textbook author (you know those guys are a hoot) gave this long-winded diatribe: “I have no way to compare brands, but pterostilbene is a vital nutrient.”
Stacking
Pterostilbene is often stacked with other nootropics including Resveratrol. Most commonly, it is paired with Alpha GPC and L-Theanine. Some manufacturers offer Pterostilbene as part of their own proprietary blends.
These include:
Onnit’s Alpha Brain (Ingredients: Pterostilbene, Huperzia Serrata, Alpha GPC, L-Theanine, Bacopa Monnieri, L-Leucine, Vinpocetine, Uncaria Tomentosa Extract, Phosphatidylserine, Oatstraw, Tyrosine and Vitamin B6)
Maven Labs’ Brainstack (Ingredients: Pterostilbene, Huperzine A, Caffeine, L-Theanine, Alpha GPC, Magnesium, GABA, Mucuna Pruriens, Bacopa Monnieri, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Lions Mane, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12).
Qualia (Ingredients: Noopept, Huperzine A, Phenylethylamine, Uridine Monophosphate, Phosphatidylserine, Hordenine HCI, Vinpocetine, Theobromine, Pure Energy (Pterostilbene bound to Caffeine), Vit B1 as Benfotiamine, Vit B3 as Niacinamide, Vit B5 as Calcium Pantothenate, Vit B6 as Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate (P-5-P), Vit B12 as Methylcobalamin, Vit C as Ascorbic Acid, Vit D3 as Microencapsulated Cholecalciferol, BioPQQ, Quercetin, Curcumin, Algal DHA, Green Tea Extract: 98% polyphenols, 45% EGCG, Bioperine, Bacopa Monnieri: 55% Bacosides, Mucuna Pruriens: 98% L-Dopa, Ginkgo Biloba: 24% glycosides, 6% terpene lactones, Coleus Forskohlii: 20% Forskolin, Artichoke Extract: 5% Cynarin, Rhodiola Rosea: 3% Rosavins, 1% Salidrosides, Lion’s Mane: 30% polysaccharides, ActivAMP Gynostemma, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, N-Acetyl Tyrosine, DL-Phenylalanine, Taurine, L-Theanine, Centrophenoxine, Citicoline (CDP Choline), Alpha GPC, Lithium Orotate, Magnesium Threonate, Zinc Picolinate)
On Trackmystack.com, users offer stacking suggestions for different purposes from longevity to physical performance. Users should consult with their physician before taking Pterostilbene or stacking it with other supplements.
Where To Buy
Pterostilbene is readily available almost everywhere and can be purchased from innumerable sources online. You can buy cheap Pterostilbene from Absorb Your Health, Puritan’s Pride, Vitacost, Amazon, Life Extension and a whole lot of others.