Wolfson to test red-grape-derived product on diabetics

Wolfson’s diabetes clinic will examine a new form of reservatrol – a type of natural polyphenol and a phytoalexin.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
Grapes 370 (photo credit: George Medovoy)
Grapes 370
(photo credit: George Medovoy)
The French are known to eat heavy, fatty and sweet meals – along with red wine in moderation – but their general health does not suffer as a result. This French Paradox has challenged researchers, who will now test type II diabetics with a compound derived from red wine grapes, especially their skins, which contain the powerful beneficial chemical, reservatrol.
Dr. Julio Weinstein, director of the diabetes unit at Wolfson Medical Center, Holon and longtime president of the Israel Diabetes Association has decided to launch a “unique study” aimed at discovering whether the red grapes of the French is as effective as the active ingredient of a natural drug for helping diabetes patients.
Wolfson’s diabetes clinic will examine a new form of reservatrol – a type of natural polyphenol and a phytoalexin – to see whether it improves the metabolic balance of diabetes patients.
These parameters include not only sugar/insulin balance but also cholesterol, blood pressure and other elements involved in the metabolic syndrome.
Participants will make four clinic visits, and undergo treatment for thee months.
Those who control their blood sugar with only diet and oral medications, and not with injectable insulin, are invited to participate in the study – they can call (03) 502-8329 for more information.