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DEAR DR. ROACH: As a winemaker, I get my daily (small) dose of resveratrol through red wine. I drink about a half bottle daily. But I also take resveratrol supplements. What is the latest evidence as to the health benefits of this natural polyphenol? Am I ingesting too much? – G.G.
ANSWER: Resveratrol is a substance found in red wine, coming from grape skins. One study in rats showed it improved lifespan, and many people were interested in it. However, the dose of red wine needed to duplicate the study would be about 1,000 liters daily for a human; worse, a trial of resveratrol (in people with multiple myeloma) showed no benefit, and five of the 24 subjects developed kidney failure (it was not clear whether the myeloma or the resveratrol was responsible for the kidney damage. Also, the dose used was 5 grams, which is 10 to 20 times the size of the usual supplement).
A trial in Alzheimer’s disease patients was too short to prove benefit but did seem to show increased brain volume. A 2016 review shows that, at high doses, it lowers blood pressure (which often is raised by alcohol) and cholesterol. For that reason, resveratrol still holds promise, but it’s too early to recommend as a supplement.
It’s not the resveratrol I’m worried about your getting too much of; it’s alcohol. A half a bottle of wine (assuming average alcohol content, which varies a little) for an average-size man is two and a half glasses, which contains alcohol that is over the level of most recommendations (one glass for women, two for men, with food).
For some people, wine enhances pleasure in life when taken moderately, and that’s the only reason it should be consumed. Alcohol should not be taken for health reasons.
DEAR DR. ROACH: I think I may have herpes, but I’m not sure. What are the symptoms of the virus? When I go to the doctor, what do I say? When I was there last time, I was given a urine test for STDs, which was negative, but now I urinate a lot and have a bump on my penis. – M.G.
ANSWER: When we are discussing herpes as a sexually transmitted disease, we usually refer to herpes simplex virus type 2. Even though other herpes viruses can be transmitted sexually, HSV-2 is the most prevalent, with approximately 50 million people in the U.S. infected. HSV-2 usually is asymptomatic, but in both men and women it can be associated with periodic outbreaks of blisters, classically filled with clear fluid and painful.
During this time, the virus can be accurately identified by a laboratory. However, it is often not a classic appearance, and it’s wise to consider the diagnosis of HSV for any genital lesion. The quality of the herpes blood test has improved in recent years, and it is a good way to make the diagnosis in someone who doesn’t have a lesion at the time they see the doctor.
Two other STDs – gonorrhea and chlamydia – can be diagnosed using a urine test, but not HSV. When you go to the doctor, ask for a blood test to rule out herpes definitively.
Urinating a lot is not a usual symptom for STDs, but painful or uncomfortable urination is.
Dr. Roach regrets he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu. To view and order health pamphlets, visit www.rbmamall.com, or write to Good Health, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.
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