Resveratrol's effects on testosterone/estrogen imbalance: 5 takeaways
Resveratrol is a phenolic compound, found abundantly in grape skin. It is also present in different berries, soy, and peanuts. Several studies have revealed that resveratrol possesses strong anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, phytoestrogen, and antioxidant activity. One more study has shown that it can also help in balancing hormone imbalance in females with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOs). According to Hormone Health Network PCOs is the most common cause of infertility in females, about 5 to 6 million females in the U.S with this problem. Let’s discuss resveratrol-estrogen and resveratrol-testosterone effects.
Resveratrol estrogen imbalance
According to several studies, resveratrol plays a crucial part in the metabolism of estrogen. This is because resveratrol has the same structure as estradiol. It loosely binds to the receptors of estrogen and alters its signaling. Due to this reason, resveratrol also works as a phytoestrogen. One recent study has shown that resveratrol can support estrogen metabolism by enhancing the concentration of quinone reductase (NQO1). It is an enzyme, which breaks quinone (a compound that can increase the risk of cancer) and sent its metabolite back to the liver for detoxification. Thus resveratrol elevates the level of quinone reductase and protects DNA from oxidative stress and is also used in breast cancer therapy.
Estrogenic effect of resveratrol
Resveratrol, a phytochemical has a strong estrogenic effect on the human body. It works as an estrogen antagonist according to the estrogen receptors, cell type, and the level of endogenous estrogen. Several studies have revealed that resveratrol can effectively inhibit the activity of aromatase enzymes in breast cancer cells. In addition, it plays a fundamental role in modulating phase II and I enzymes that are involved in the activation of carcinogens, endogenous hormones, and drug detoxification. One more study has concluded that daily supplementation of 1 gram of resveratrol in postmenopausal females can effectively regulate estrogen metabolites. Further studies should be done to investigate the positive impact of resveratrol on risk factors of breast cancer.
Resveratrol testosterone imbalance in PCOs
Females suffering from PCOs have high levels of androgen hormones, especially testosterone than average. According to research, these androgen hormones are strongly linked with males, but females also have in small amounts. The increased level of these hormones in females with PCOs can result in several problems such as excess hair on the body and face, acne, weight gain, absent or irregular periods, and infertility. Females with PCOs also have a high risk of several health complications such as diabetes.
One recent study has shown that resveratrol is effective in lowering the levels of testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) (a hormone, which converts to testosterone in the human body) in PCOs patients. The University of California claims that resveratrol is one of the best nutritional supplements, which can normalize hormonal imbalance in PCOs.
The research was conducted at the University of Medical Sciences in Poznan to check the effect of resveratrol on hormone imbalance. Thirty females with PCOs were given resveratrol supplements for three months. The samples of blood were collected at the beginning and end of the study to check the concentration of testosterone and androgen hormones in them. They were also gone for glucose tolerance tests at the start and end of the study to investigate risk factors of diabetes. The results of the study revealed that resveratrol reduced testosterone and DHEAS levels by 23.1 and 22.1%, respectively.
In addition, normalizing testosterone levels resveratrol also reduced the risk of diabetes in them. The researchers also observed that females receiving resveratrol therapy during the research observe a decline in fasting insulin by 31%. Also, become more responsive to insulin. Thus resveratrol can improve your body’s ability to use insulin and reduce the risk of diabetes.
Research evidence on Resveratrol Testosterone
One study has found that resveratrol can help in balancing estrogen response. It is fundamental for reproductive health in both males and females. Another research has depicted that resveratrol can elevate both sperm count and testosterone level in males without any negative effect. Health experts believe that resveratrol normalizes hormones by activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal-axis (HPG). This axis is responsible to control the release of sex hormones through the hypothalamus from the pituitary in the brain.
In females, resveratrol behaves differently. In one study, forty postmenopausal females were given 1 gram of resveratrol daily for twelve weeks. It didn’t affect testosterone and estrogen levels in them but raised the level of proteins, which strongly bind sex hormones and transport them via blood. Also, reduce the risk of breast cancer in females by regulating estrogen metabolism.
In rats, resveratrol inhibit the enzyme activity, which activates estrogen receptors. It binds to them and makes them weak; this action has a balancing effect on the body. According to health experts, when estrogen level becomes low in females (during menopause), resveratrol can increase its level.
Another research has concluded that high doses of resveratrol (almost 1000 mg per day) for four months are effective in reducing the level of serum androgen levels. But its effects on levels of testosterone and DHEAS are not clear.
Takeaways
- Resveratrol is a strong phytochemical compound, produce by plants in response to stress. It is present mostly in wine, red grapes, legumes, and berries. It has high antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and phytoestrogen activity. However, has poor bioavailability but provides several health benefits to the human body, especially effective in balancing sex hormones.
- This compound plays a vital role in the metabolism of estrogen. It has the same structure as estradiol. According to research, resveratrol loosely binds to the receptors of estrogen and alters its signaling. That’s why it works as a phytoestrogen.
- Not just estrogen, resveratrol is also effective in normalizing the levels of androgen hormones (especially testosterone) in females with PCOs.
- Regular intake of resveratrol also lowers the level of fasting insulin by 31%, which reduces the risk of diabetes type 2.
- Resveratrol provides several health benefits such as reducing the risk of heart diseases, cognitive disorders, and breast cancer. Also, boost immune health.
References
1. https://www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/2016/resveratrol-can-help-correct-hormone-imbalance-in-women-with-pcos
2. https://supplements.selfdecode.com/blog/top-15-scientific-health-benefits-of-resveratrol-with-references/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25939591/
4. https://translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12967-014-0223-0
5. https://vitagene.com/blog/what-is-resveratrol/
6. https://hormonesbalance.com/articles/benefits-of-resveratrol/
7. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161018143436.htm
