If you had your choice of the super antioxidant, resveratrol, or an injectable cosmetic procedure to combat anti aging, which would you choose? Tough question? Let's examine the latest injectable cosmetic procedure and then we'll take a look at resveratrol.
Dysport is a protein extracted from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It is the first FDA approved competition for Botox as a way of removing facial lines without surgery.
Botox, manufactured by Allergan, was introduced in 2002 and grew into a huge business as the number one cosmetic procedure in the U.S. The French drug maker, Ipsen, is hoping to attract some of that business away from Botox.
This newest wrinkle defeater was first used for the treatment of motor disorders and a variety of involuntary muscular spasms, including cerebral palsy. Further development led to treatment of various neuromuscular disorders. It has been used safely in Europe for years but was not approved by the FDA for release in the U.S. until July, 2009.
The procedure to erase facial wrinkles is quite simple. Minute amounts of the new botulinum toxin are injected into the facial muscles under frown lines. The procedure lasts about 10 to 20 minutes and no local anaesthetic is required. The muscles slowly relax over the next few days after treatment. The frown muscles will then not be able to contract.
It has not been proven if either one of the two injectable procedures is superior to the other. In clinical trials the same type of positive results were reported for both treatments as well as similar occasional unwanted side effects. The side effects include headaches and bruising at the injection site. Also, misplaced injections can cause drooping of the eyebrow or eyelid. The procedure should not be used if a person is pregnant, breastfeeding or has a neuromuscular disease.
Dysport is a prescription drug and should only be administered by medical professionals. It is also not interchangeable with Botox.
Okay, now what does resveratrol have to offer?
As a super antioxidant it has become the hottest topic in anti aging. In fact, it is so popular that a small start up company, Sirtris, was purchased for almost $750M by one of the large pharmaceutical companies because they were so impressed with test results on studies run by Sirtris.
This antioxidant is produced by plants as a reaction to environmental stress such a fungal infection and insect attacks. Researchers believe it acts much the same way in other life forms.
SIRT1 is a very important protein that regulates heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) and keeps it active. When HSF1 is more active then more cells are protected against an accumulation of damage. When we start to age our Sirt1 levels decrease and our cells can't respond to stress or other outside factors as well as they once did. Now research is pointing to the theory that resveratrol can activate the SIRT1 protein!
We already know it can lower blood sugar levels, bolster the immune system, fight inflammation and protect against heart and blood vessel disease.Most recently, researchers say it could be used to treat major illnesses such a sepsis, appendicitis and peritonitis.
It truly is loaded with health benefits and is so readily available. It's most abundant source is red wine and grapes but can also be found in other food sources such as peanuts and Japanese knotwood. In addition, for convenience, resveratrol may be obtained as a supplement. As with any other supplement, your physician should be consulted first.
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