Pterostilbene 150mg Capsules
Supplement To Promote Longevity & Healthy Aging

Pterostilbene Overview 

Pterostilbene is an antioxidant with a similar structure to trans resveratrol. Due to its potent ability to activate both SIRT1 (sirtuin 1), AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase), and PPAR upregulation it is thought to have beneficial supporting effects related to cognition, blood sugar levels, cell damage, the cardiovascular system, the muscular system, weight loss, and healthy inflammatory response as well as longevity (possibly due to downregulation of the mTOR pathway). As an antioxidant it plays an important role in supporting healthy response to DNA damage. 

The full chemical name for Pterostilbene is trans-3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxystilbene.

The common name for this substance is derived from the genus of plants (Pterocarpus) from which it was first discovered. This plant based compound is naturally found in the heartwoods of Pterocarpus species such as Sandalwood and the Indian Kino tree, and is also naturally found in grape leaves, blueberries, peanuts, almonds, the roots of false rhubarb, and in the house-plant Dracaena. Like many other stilbenes it plays a natural role in plant defense.

The numerous health benefits associated with Pterostilbene supplementation are mainly accredited to its antioxidant properties. These and other factors help to improve and correct normal cell function.

Some of the main biological effects of Pterostilbene include:

• Reduction in Oxidative stress (OS)
• Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS; e.g., hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion) important in pathogenesis
• Increased antioxidant capabilities
• Increased expression of glutathione, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase
• Increased induced expression of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD)
• Increased activation of AMPK and SIRT1 (sirtuin 1)
• Down-regulation and inhibition of mTOR signaling

Pterostilbene is chemically similar to resveratrol (also available from VitaMonk). Resveratrol is found in red wine and is thought to be associated with many of the health given properties that are often linked to consumption of the beverage.

Pterostilbene portrays an advantage over resveratrol in that it is more readily absorbed into the body following oral digestion (giving improved bio-availability and activity) [1].

Along with piceatannol, these antioxidants belong to a group of dietary compounds known as stilbenes. Pterostilbene has a greater bioavailability than other stilbenes (close to 4-fold as much as resveratrol), and thus has enhanced dietary benefits. These are thought to contribute to its reported supportive effects.

Brain Function and Health

Pterostilbene is strongly linked to three main neurological benefits:

• Support of neurological function
• Enhancing mood
• Supporting memory and learning

Thus like other neurological associated products, such as Alpha-GPC and Uridine Monophosphate, it may be beneficial for supporting brain cognition.

Pterostilbene is thought to have a more potent effect on neuroinflammation than resveratrol. It has been demonstrated that 10 to 30 micromolar may reduce lipopolysaccharide induced nitric oxide (NO) production in microglia [2]. 

Pterostilbene has been demonstrated to improve mental actions and processes in animals such as rats over a ~3 month period. These improvements were correlated to increased concentration of the compound in the hippocampus [3]. 

It has been reported that Pterostilbene has an impact upon ERK phosphorylation in the hippocampus. It can therefore improve mood and support normal response to anxiety.

Inflammatory Response and Immunological Aspects  

As it is much more bio-available, pterostilbene likely provides a much greater inflammatory response effect at lower concentrations when taken orally than has been reported for resveratrol. It is thought that the main cause of this greater action is due to indirect antioxidant effects.

Healthy Aging

In elderly people a progressive decline in antioxidant activity caused by oxidative stress is one of the main mechanisms for age-related deterioration of cognition and motor function.

Pterostilbene is possibly able to modify the expression levels of numerous important mitochondrial genes and may reduce the effects of oxidative stress observed during neuronal aging processes [4]. 

The mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cell as they are involved in the creation of energy in the form of ATP. It has been reported that Pterostilbene can support mitochondria depolarization.

Impact on the Cardiovascular System

Pterostilbene is reported to support healthy blood pressure levels and studies using blueberries suggest that activation of antioxidant enzymes may lead to protective benefits for the cardiovascular system [5, 6].

There are mixed results of Pterostilbene intake and its impact on cholesterol. It has been reported that it may be a PPARα ligand. In hamsters, consumption of pterostilbene supported better levels of ‘bad’ LDL-Cholesterol and ‘good’ HDL-Cholesterol [7]. Conversely, it has been reported that cholesterol levels were negatively affected in people who already have high LDL-cholesterol levels [6]. 

Interestingly, there was a correlated weight-loss observed with supplementation of Pterostilbene; neither weight-loss or support of HDL-cholesterol levels occurred when taken alongside grape seed extract (GSE). GSEs are also rich in antioxidants and are reported to support estrogen excess and an ability to enhance blood flow in healthy individuals.

If you are an healthy individual wishing to maintain healthy cholesterol levels you may wish to take a look at the POLICOSANOL product, which is also available for sale online at VitaMonk and on our Amazon store.

Supplementation with pterostilbene may also support healthy levels of serum triglycerides in rats with high blood sugar levels.

When Pterostilbene is supplemented alongside an extended-release of caffeine there is an observable benefit in resistance training-induced skeletal muscle. This occurs with no adverse affects on blood chemistry [8].

Further Reading

• Examine: A look at a more potent dimethylated derivative of resveratrol [https://examine.com/supplements/Pterostilbene] 
• Reddit Stack Advise: Does Pterostilbene have the potential to be considered a nootropic? [https://www.reddit.com/r/StackAdvice/comments/54v2bf/should_we_consider_pterostilbene_as_a_potential/]
• Quora: Compare experiences and dosage models of using pterostilbene’s. [https://www.quora.com/What-are-your-experiences-with-pterostilbene-reservatrol-or-both-combined-Which-dosage-are-you-taking]
• WebMD: Nutrients That Work Better Together; Diet Findings [http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/food-synergy-nutrients-that-work-better-together#1]

Citations, References, and Reviews 

[1] Kapetanovic et al. Pharmacokinetics, oral bioavailability, and metabolic profile of resveratrol and its dimethylether analog, pterostilbene, in rats. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2011 Sep;68(3):593-601. doi: 10.1007/s00280-010-1525-4.

[2] Carey et al. Stilbenes and anthocyanins reduce stress signaling in BV-2 mouse microglia. J Agric Food Chem. 2013 Jun 26;61(25):5979-86. doi: 10.1021/jf400342g dm m 

[3] Al Rahim et al. Anxiolytic action of pterostilbene: involvement of hippocampal ERK phosphorylation. Planta Med. 2013 Jun;79(9):723-30. doi: 10.1055/s-0032-1328553. 

[4] Joseph. Cellular and behavioral effects of stilbene resveratrol analogues: implications for reducing the deleterious effects of aging. J Agric Food Chem. 2008 Nov 26;56(22):10544-51. doi: 10.1021/jf802279h.

[5] Rimando et al. Pterostilbene, a new agonist for the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha-isoform, lowers plasma lipoproteins and cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic hamsters. J Agric Food Chem. 2005 May 4;53(9):3403-7.

[6] Riche et al. Pterostilbene on metabolic parameters: a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:459165. doi: 10.1155/2014/459165

[7] Rimando et al. Pterostilbene, a new agonist for the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha-isoform, lowers plasma lipoproteins and cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic hamsters. J Agric Food Chem. 2005 May 4;53(9):3403-7. 

[8] Joy et al. Twelve weeks supplementation with an extended-release caffeine and ATP-enhancing supplement may improve body composition without affecting hematology in resistance-trained men. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2016 Jun 10;13:25. doi: 10.1186/s12970-016-0136-9.

Further references used and compared in the significant research of this article

Estrela et al. Pterostilbene: Biomedical applications. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci. 2013 May-Jun;50(3):65-78. doi: 10.3109/10408363.2013.805182 

Poulose et al. Effects of pterostilbene and resveratrol on brain and behaviour. Neurochemistry International, Volume 89, October 2015, Pages 227–233