Pterostilbene is a polyphenol naturally found in nuts, vegetables, and fruits, particularly blueberries.

• Pterostilbene is detected in berries of the Vaccinium genus, a group of shrubs including many types of berries, of which blueberries and cranberries are the most widely available. Blueberries are the most abundant dietary source of pterostilbene. The estimated content per blueberry varied between 99 ng to 520ng, depending on the type of blueberry.
• Other berries include cranberry, bilberry, lingonberry or cowberry, and huckleberry.
• Red grapes, both the berries and leaves. Pterostilbene is also thought to contain small amounts in red wine (just like resveratrol).
• Heartwood, also called Indian Kino Tree (Pterocarpus marsupium).
• Sandalwood (pterocarpus santalinus), is also the source of rosewood and is known in China as Zita.

• Pterostilbene VS Resveratrol

  

  Pterostilbene and Resveratrol are a class of compounds called phytoalexins: in plants, these compounds defend against microbes and parasites. Both of them have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic properties.

  On the chemical level, pterostilbene and resveratrol are very similar. However, the two behave differently in body absorption. Pterostilbene stays longer in the body because it contains only one hydroxyl group. It can cross the membranes easier than resveratrol and stay longer in the body. Resveratrol has a half-life of 14 min because it contains three hydroxyl groups, making it easier for the body to eliminate the molecule.

  Pterostilbene has higher bioavailability than resveratrol and other stilbenes due to two methoxy groups, which allow it to exhibit increased lipophilicity and oral absorption. In animal studies, pterostilbene was shown to have 80% bioavailability versus 20% for resveratrol.

• Potential Benefits of Pterostilbene

  Fights Oxidative Stress and Anti-aging

• Oxidative stress means the imbalance between antioxidants and free radicals in your body. It may be caused by poor diet, contamination, cigarette smoke, and pesticides, and it will promote inflammation and cause many chronic diseases. Generally, it can severely damage your body and accelerate the aging process.Pterostilbene is an effective free radical fighter that reduces oxidative stress. Pterostilbene has also been shown to increase glutathione levels, another antioxidant associated with changes ranging from improved detoxification to reduced oxidative stress in the mitochondria.

• Regulate blood sugar and manage diabetes

• Several animal studies have shown that pterostilbene may increase insulin production and contribute to improving insulin sensitivity, thereby lowering blood sugar. Pterostilbene prevents the conversion of sugar to fat and adipocyte proliferation. In diabetic mice, pterostilbene protects the pancreas from injury and restores the production of sugar-metabolism enzymes in the liver.One study shows that a dose of 20 mg/kg of pterostilbene decreased blood glucose levels by 42% and body weight by 20% in mice. Some researchers have speculated that pterostilbene acts similarly to the antidiabetic drug metformin. One proposed mechanism to regulate blood glucose is that pterostilbene reduces oxidative stress in the liver and kidney.
  

  Prevent Cancer

• Consumption of pterostilbene helps improve normal cells’ function and inhibits malignant cells. Several studies suggest that it may be an effective anticancer agent to prevent, inhibit, or prevent tumor development based on its antitumor properties. It seems to exert its anticancer effects in several different ways: by changing the cell cycle, inducing cell apoptosis (or cell death) and inhibiting metastasis (cancer spreads from one part of the body to another).Many studies have found the blueberry extract containing pterostilbene to be particularly helpful in preventing and treating breast cancer. Pterostilbene may help inhibit cytochrome P450, an enzyme that can activate a variety of compounds called “pro-carcinogens,” “making carcinogens more dangerous.
  

  Brain Health and Prevent Alzheimer’s

• Pterostilbene may promote brain health and protect the brain by increasing the cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Alzheimer’s disease patients tend to have lower levels of CREB and BDNF. In this way, pterostilbene may help to prevent Alzheimer’s disease.Animal studies have also found evidence that Pterostilbene improves memory and overall cognitive function. There is evidence that pterostilbene supplements may help reduce symptoms such as brain fog, anxiety, poor memory, and difficulty learning. Because pterostilbene can prevent oxidative stress in the brain, it and other similar compounds may help prevent neurological problems, including Alzheimer’s disease, brain damage, neuronal apoptosis, reduced brain volume, and brain edema.
  

  Risks and Side Effects

  Pterostilbene is considered safe, with no significant side effects at a dose of 250 mg per day. However, some people may experience increases in LDL cholesterol when using it.

  This compound is usually found in food and is considered healthy, so small doses of pterostilbene are safe for anyone; however, caution at high doses may interfere with the effects of some drugs.

  There is no research on the safety of pterostilbene in children or pregnant or lactating women. Consult your doctor before giving your child pterostilbene or taking it yourself, If you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you choose to start taking pterostilbene, your doctor can help monitor your response to make sure that your dose need not be adjusted.

  Pterostilbene Dosage

  The recommended dosage is up to your body weight and the reason for using it. In most human studies, pterostilbene doses are usually administered approximately 200 – 700 mg or less. Even only 10 mg may offer some benefits, but over 200 mg seems to have the most significant effect.

  Some commercial supplements have higher doses than what has been studied in humans—readily available amounts per capsule range from 50 mg to 1,000 mg.