Use a trans-Resveratrol supplement, not a blend containing the inactive cis-Resveratrol form.
The Active Form
I first bought a cheap resveratrol supplement. The label just said “Resveratrol.” I felt nothing. I learned that resveratrol exists in two forms, a “trans” and a “cis” form, like a right and a left hand. Only the trans-Resveratrol form is biologically active and provides the longevity benefits. The cheap supplements often contain a useless, inactive cis- form. I switched to a brand that guaranteed 98% pure trans-Resveratrol. Finally, I was taking the real, active molecule that the science was all about.
Stop thinking you can get a therapeutic dose from drinking red wine. Do take a concentrated supplement. You’d need hundreds of glasses of wine.
The Wine Myth
“Red wine is good for your heart because it has resveratrol!” This is the myth that we all love to believe. The reality is that the amount of resveratrol in a glass of red wine is minuscule. To get the kind of therapeutic, longevity-promoting dose that is used in the scientific studies, you would have to drink hundreds, if not thousands, of glasses of wine a day. The damage from the alcohol would far outweigh any potential benefit. The supplement is the only way.
Stop taking Resveratrol on its own. Do take it with a fatty meal or a source of fat (like olive oil) to enhance absorption.
The Fat-Soluble Friend
I used to take my resveratrol capsule with a glass of water in the morning. I was wasting it. Resveratrol is a fat-soluble polyphenol. It needs to be taken with fat to be properly absorbed. I started a new habit of taking it with a spoonful of olive oil or with my breakfast of avocado and eggs. This simple change dramatically increased its bioavailability, ensuring that the powerful molecule was actually getting into my system where it could go to work.
The #1 secret for activating sirtuins (your “longevity genes”) is the combination of Resveratrol and an NAD+ precursor.
The Longevity Stack
I was taking NMN, and I was taking Resveratrol. They were both good. But then I learned the secret that unlocked their true power. NAD+ is the fuel for your “longevity genes,” the sirtuins. Resveratrol is the gas pedal that makes them work harder. You need both. By taking them together, I was providing my cells with both the fuel and the activation signal. The synergy was incredible. It’s the #1 secret stack of the entire anti-aging community for a reason.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about red wine is that it’s a health food.
The Grape Deception
The idea that a daily glass of red wine is a cornerstone of health is a persistent and dangerous lie. While it contains some beneficial polyphenols, it is also, fundamentally, a source of ethanol—a known carcinogen and toxin. The tiny amount of resveratrol is not enough to offset the negative effects of the alcohol for most people. The lie is that it’s a “health food.” The truth is that it’s a culturally acceptable poison with a tiny bit of antioxidant in it.
I wish I knew that most of the Resveratrol supplements on the market were low-quality and poorly absorbed.
The Quality Quandary
I spent years taking a cheap, generic resveratrol supplement, thinking I was doing something great for my longevity. I wish I had known that I was likely just swallowing a low-purity, poorly-absorbed powder that was doing little to nothing. The knowledge that I needed to be looking for pure trans-Resveratrol and taking it with a fat source would have saved me years of wasted effort and money. With a molecule this hyped, the market is flooded with low-quality junk.
I’m just going to say it: The synergy between Resveratrol and NMN/NR is the cornerstone of modern anti-aging supplementation.
The Cornerstone of Longevity
If you were to build the foundation for a modern, science-backed anti-aging supplement protocol, it would be built on two cornerstones. First, you boost your NAD+ levels with NMN or NR. This provides the fuel for cellular repair. Second, you activate your sirtuins with Resveratrol. This tells the repair crew to get to work. This simple, powerful, and synergistic combination is the most logical and effective starting point for anyone who is serious about slowing down the aging process on a cellular level.
99% of people make this one mistake: buying a cheap Resveratrol supplement that isn’t standardized for the active trans-Resveratrol form.
The Isomer Ignorance
A person sees a bottle of “Resveratrol 500mg” for a very low price. They think they’ve found a bargain. They are making a huge mistake born of chemical ignorance. They have no idea that the bottle is likely filled with the inactive, useless “cis-Resveratrol” form, or a low-purity blend. They are buying a product that is chemically incapable of providing the benefits they are seeking. By not looking for the magic words “98% Trans-Resveratrol,” they are ensuring their own failure.
This one habit of taking Resveratrol with your NMN every morning will change your cellular health and longevity pathways forever.
The Longevity Ritual
I wanted to turn the science of longevity into a simple, daily action. I started a new, powerful habit. Every morning, with a spoonful of yogurt to provide some fat, I take my NMN and my trans-Resveratrol together. This two-second ritual is my daily commitment to my own healthy aging. I know that with this one act, I am providing my cells with the fuel and the activation signal they need to stay young and vital. It is the most powerful and hopeful habit of my day.
If you’re still trying to get your Resveratrol from wine, you’re losing to the negative effects of alcohol long before you get any benefit.
The Losing Game
You drink a glass of red wine every night, telling yourself it’s for the resveratrol and your heart health. You are playing a losing game. The damage that the alcohol is doing to your liver, your brain, and your cancer risk is a well-established scientific fact. The tiny, poorly-absorbed amount of resveratrol in that glass is a hopeful myth. You are accepting a guaranteed loss for the sake of a theoretical and minuscule gain. It’s the worst trade you can make for your long-term health.