What is Pterostilbene? The Better Resveratrol?

What is Pterostilbene?

Pterostilbene is an antioxidant found in many plants including almonds, grape leaves and vines, blueberries and related Vaccinium berries, peanuts, dracaena plants, and Indian kino. It is a polyphenol with a structure similar to resveratrol. In general, animal research has found pterostilbene to have similar yet stronger effects on health than those found for resveratrol.

Pterostilbene vs. Resveratrol

Due to slight structural differences, pterostilbene is more fat-soluble than resveratrol. This difference improves the bioavailability of pterostilbene. Pterostilbene is well absorbed, easily distributed throughout the body, and can cross the blood-brain barrier—factors that are unusual for many natural, health-promoting polyphenols.

Pterostilbene has just one hydroxyl group while resveratrol has three. Hydroxyl groups facilitate metabolization (the way to get rid of the molecule) by the body. Fewer hydroxyl groups make it harder for the body to eliminate the molecule — no bad thing when the molecule has benefits. The upshot is that pterostilbene's slightly different molecular structure allows it to cross cell membranes more easily and hang out in the body longer than resveratrol.

Sources of Pterostilbene

Pterostilbene was first discovered as a compound in sandalwood. Pterostilbene food sources include blueberries and other deeply hued berries such as cranberries, bilberries, lingonberries, huckleberries, and red grapes. Typically, pterostilbene is found in the highest concentrations in fruit, leaves, and heartwood in the plants known to contain it.

Other plant sources of pterostilbene do exist, but they're not necessarily edible. Several plants that contain pterostilbene are used in ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine as natural remedies for a variety of health conditions. These include bark from the kino tree (also called heartwood), which is used to promote healthy blood sugar and weight loss; a shrub called "ku ma du" that's used for the treatment of hypertension; and Chinese rhubarb, or "da huang," used to treat digestive disorders.

Health Benefits of Pterostilbene

To date, pterostilbene sure sounds impressive, with research suggesting this compound plays a role in fighting cancer, reducing inflammation, managing diabetes, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, improving neurological function, countering the aging process, and more. It should be said, though, that most studies on pterostilbene are lab and animal studies, and there's a need for more rigorous human clinical trials. But the fact that pterostilbene-rich plants have been used for hundreds, if not thousands, of years in both ayurvedic medicine and traditional Chinese medicine is certainly evidence in this antioxidant's favor.

Here are some of the exciting ways pterostilbene may help boost your health—plus, tips on the best and safest way to reap the benefits:

1. Anti-aging and Antioxidant Effects

Pterostilbene has been shown to help reduce damage from free radicals, like vitamin C and vitamin E. In the published research, pterostilbene has been found to display direct antioxidant effects along with upregulating antioxidant enzymes and defenses throughout the body. It is hypothesized that many of the potential health benefits found with pterostilbene are related to its antioxidant effects.

Pterostilbene has also been shown to increase levels of glutathione, another antioxidant that's been linked to everything from improved detoxification to reduced oxidative stress in mitochondria. Mitochondria are the energy powerhouses of our cells and play a role in most age-related diseases, and they also make sure you have enough energy to function optimally. Some evidence even suggests that pterostilbene and resveratrol may mimic the effects of calorie restriction, a practice that has been shown to increase life span and help prevent age-related disorders.

2. Blood Sugar Balancing Effects

Several animal studies have found that supplementing with pterostilbene lowers blood glucose levels, which suggests that this antioxidant may play a role in protecting against diabetes and improving insulin sensitivity. In one study, a dose of 20 mg/kg pterostilbene decreased blood glucose levels by 42 percent and body weight by 20 percent in mice. Some researchers speculate that pterostilbene acts in a similar way to the antidiabetic drug metformin. One proposed mechanism for regulating blood sugar is that pterostilbene reduces oxidative stress in the liver and kidneys.

3. Brain Protecting Effects

Alzheimer's disease rates have been increasing as the world's population continues to age. And unfortunately, there are no accepted disease-modifying treatments. As it currently stands, even with standard treatment, once an individual develops Alzheimer's, it's a slow, inexorable decline that eventually leads to memory loss, disability, and death.

Pterostilbene seems to offer neuroprotective benefits due to its antioxidant activity, which helps prevent oxidative stress in the brain. In one study on mice, researchers concluded that pterostilbene may help preserve cognitive function and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, in part by reducing inflammation. Regular consumption of blueberries, the most potent natural source of pterostilbene, has also been associated with slower rates of cognitive decline. Berries also contain flavonoid antioxidants called anthocyanins, which likely play an important role in brain and overall health.

4. Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Increased inflammatory activity within the body has been associated with a number of chronic diseases. Nitric oxide is a signaling molecule that can play an inflammatory role in immune responses. Cyclooxygenase (COX) is a separate inflammatory signaling molecule that is inhibited by aspirin and ibuprofen. Both of these inflammatory signaling molecules appear to be inhibited by pterostilbene. Excess levels of both enzymes have been related to several chronic diseases.

5. Blood Sugar Balancing Effects

Several animal studies have found that supplementing with pterostilbene lowers blood glucose levels, which suggests that this antioxidant may play a role in protecting against diabetes and improving insulin sensitivity. In one study, a dose of 20 mg/kg pterostilbene decreased blood glucose levels by 42 percent and body weight by 20 percent in mice. Some researchers speculate that pterostilbene acts in a similar way to the antidiabetic drug metformin. One proposed mechanism for regulating blood sugar is that pterostilbene reduces oxidative stress in the liver and kidneys.

6. Support Cardiac health

Through a number of mechanisms already described, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, pterostilbene also appears to help protect from heart disease. Studies have found that, again, in animal models, pterostilbene protects the heart from damage or improves heart function, even during acute heart failure or after a heart attack. Preliminary human trials also suggest potential blood-pressure-lowering effects with pterostilbene. With additional human clinical trials, pterostilbene may show significant heart benefits like a number of other natural compounds, including CoQ10, carnitine, and garlic extract.

Revive your youth with Pterostilbene

S-CELL Health’s NMN 12000 Pro is the S-CELL premium anti-aging supplement. It contains high purity (>99.7%) Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) with 400mg per serving. Besides NMN, it is also formulated with Pterostilbene (known as the new generation of resveratrol), and N-Acetyl Cysteine aka NAC (the precursor of well-known antioxidant glutathione). NMN 12000 Pro is an all-in-one anti-aging supplement that can revive your youth and reverse aging.

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