Researchers in the field of anti-aging medicine have demonstrated that caloric restriction leads to activation of the Sirtuin 1 (SIRT 1) gene, leading to improved insulin sensitivity and antithrombotic effects. Activation of sirtuins also enhance DNA repair, genome stability, induction of apoptosis, and improved longevity in eukaryotes.  The phytochemical Resveratrol activates the SIRT1 gene, leading to all the benifical metabolic effects mentioned above.

A study just published in Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders demonstrated that Resveratrol improved left ventricular function in patients with type 2 diabetes that had suffered from a Infarct Myocadial Acute (IMA).

Reference

Cacciapuoti, F. Opposite Effects of Metabolic Syndrome and Calorie Restriction on Thrombotic Disease: Head and Tail of Same Coin—Resveratrol’s Role. Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders. Ahead of print, available only online.

http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/met.2008.0057

This study published by Cascalheira in Ann Nutr Metab found that elevated serum homocysteine was correlated with elevated cortisol, and decreased levels of serum ascorbate and folate.

“High serum levels of homocysteine and cortisol are independent risk factors for several pathologies and their levels can be regulated by some vitamins (folate, B12, B6, etc. ). Serum homocysteine levels correlate positively with cortisol and age, and negatively with ascorbate and folate . A negative correlation between serum levels of cortisol and ascorbate was also observed. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the best independent predictors of serum homocysteine concentration were cortisol age and folate…. the highest tertile of homocysteine concentration has also higher cortisol (p < 0.005) and lower ascorbate (p < 0.05) concentrations compared with the lowest tertile of homocysteine concentration. Conclusion: The association between serum concentrations of homocysteine, cortisol and ascorbate suggests interaction between circulating levels of these molecules.”

Reference

http://content.karger.com/produktedb/produkte.asp?doi=158636