Science

WHAT IS RESVERATROL?

Resveratrol (trans-3,5,4′-Trihydroxystilbene) belongs to a class of natural compounds called stilbenes. Resveratrol and other stilbenes are small molecules that are rapidly synthesized by plants in response to attacks by bacteria, fungi and predators. Stilbenes presently are the focus of numerous biomedical research studies. Compounds within this chemical class have displayed therapeutic potential through their capability to support a healthy inflammatory response in various tissues throughout the bodies of humans and animals.

HOW DOES RESVERATROL WORK?

Resveratrol is a proactive therapy that addresses inflammation before it occurs. Commonly used Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Bute or Banamine^®, are the conventional treatment for chronic inflammatory conditions and generally are effective. But NSAIDs also produce unwanted side effects in many animals, including ulcers or kidney and liver dysfunction. Most modern NSAIDs are designed to specifically inhibit the pro-inflammatory cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-2) as well as the gastro-protective form of the enzyme (COX-1). The COX-1 inhibitory activity of these NSAID products and associated gastrointestinal side effects, including ulcers, make them unsafe for long-term daily use. NSAIDs react to the body’s inflammatory response after it has begun and has affected tissues.

Conversely, resveratrol does not affect the body’s production of gastroprotective prostaglandins and does not have unwanted gastrointestinal side effects associated with NSAIDs. Rather than inhibiting inflammatory enzymes circulating in the body, resveratrol reduces gene expression of inflammatory mediators, such as COX-2, lipoxygenases, myeloperoxidases, nitrous oxide synthases and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα). The result is a lower concentration of inflammatory mediators circulating in the body.

RESVERASYN^®—STABLE, BIOAVAILABLE 99% RESVERATROL

Resveratrol must be in a purified and bioavailable formulation in order to be effective. Equithrive products contain a proprietary form of resveratrol called “Resverasyn”. This is composed of 99% pure resveratrol that has been micronized and encapsulated. Micronization reduces the particle to a size where it is easily absorbed by the body, and encapsulation provides a coating that both protects the bioactive resveratrol from deterioration and increases the distribution of the molecule to affected tissues.

Resveratrol must be microencapsulated to guarantee maximum effectiveness. Without this process, resveratrol can be very unstable when exposed to light or oxygen and is rapidly metabolized and excreted before it can reach tissues for therapeutic effects.

Use of our microencapsulated resveratrol product, Resverasyn, ensures your horse will receive consistent therapeutic doses of bioavailable resveratrol. Our Equithrive products are easily administered in oral dosage forms rather than by injection. Equithrive products will not aggravate gastric ulcers, are safe for use with other medications and supplements, and contain no banned substances (FEI Compliant).

WHY IS EQUITHRIVE WITH RESVERASYN DIFFERENT?

Resverasyn, is manufactured by first producing trans-resveratrol of minimum 99% purity level. Each production lot of our trans-resveratrol is analyzed via high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to ensure that the product meets our 99% purity specification before it is microencapsulated to become our proprietary product Resverasyn.

Micronization is a process that reduces the particle size of resveratrol so that its bioavailability is enhanced. Encapsulation is a process whereby resveratrol molecules are covered in a protective coating. This process protects resveratrol particles from deterioration with exposure to light. Encapsulation also contributes to the bioavailability of resveratrol by allowing more of the molecule to enter the bloodstream and to be transported throughout the body for maximum therapeutic effect.

WHERE DO OTHER COMPANIES OBTAIN RESVERATROL?

Resveratrol typically is associated with grapes and red wine. However, the concentration of resveratrol in wine, grapes, grape skin extracts and grape seed extracts is extremely low. The primary commercial source of resveratrol is a shrub named Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) that is native to Asia. This plant is cultivated in China. Chinese manufacturing firms extract resveratrol from the rhizomes (underground stems) of the shrub.

RESVERATROL IMPURITIES

Chinese manufacturing firms produce Knotweed extracts that have resveratrol concentrations ranging from 20% to 98%. The corresponding percentage of impurities in these resveratrol products ranges from 2% to 80%. One of the impurities in Knotweed-based resveratrol products is a compound called emodin. This impurity has caused serious gastrointestinal distress in many people that have used Knotweed-based resveratrol products. The questionable purity and safety of Chinese resveratrol products derived from Japanese Knotweed raises cause for concern.

Use Equithrive brand products with Resverasyn and be certain that your horse is receiving therapeutic doses of pure, bioavailable resveratrol.