The French Paradox

Ancient wisdom interweaved in cultural practices

I am a big fan of apocalyptic, end of the world movies. I specially love a good zombie flick. The main idea of this genre is the end of life, or at least of human life, on planet earth. Apparently, I am not alone in my affection for this cinematic art form, as the number of films in this category is growing. Yet iall of the hundreds of films and programs follow 3 main themes: asteroid collision, environmental catastrophe and viral pandemic. Interestingly, zombie movies are more popular after Covid19.

Covid 19 was a significant worldwide disaster and it remains a threat today. However, year after year, death rates from chronic diseases are growing at an alarming rate and even when Covid hit is peak, heart disease killed more people.

So, while we look at the skies, or track Global Warming or Zombie turning viruses, it is the boring, chronic diseases that are quietly growing and killing in epidemic fashion.

 Heart Disease continues to be have the highest death rate across the world and even after thousands of studies and billions in research, the upward trend continues. But not in France.

In the early 1990’s researchers discovered what is now termed “The French Paradox” which refers to the observation that the French experience lower rates of heart disease despite consuming a diet rich in saturated fat, like that of other Western populations. Something in the French made them less vulnerable and more resistant to this disease. While cause for this phenomenon was never officially identified, the research did uncover the probable cause…. Wine. 

Drinking red wine at meals is more than a custom for the French, it is a daily ritual that starts at a young age and consistently continues throughout life. The juice of the red grape was found to contain a high antioxidant content and a variety of other health components. When made into wine, some of these are enhanced. As research advanced, Resveratrol was identified as the primary Cardioprotective substance in wine. Research also revealed another amazing substance with numerous benefits for the heart and for other diseases. Berberine.

Not long after this, the supplement industry jumped in and all sorts of Resveratrol and Berberine supplements rained on the shelves of pharmacies and health food stores. Yet even after years of their availability, no change in rates of heart disease has been observed and even studies to reproduce the beneficial effects of using these supplements. Why?

The amount of Resveratrol and Berberine in red wine is small. Supplements contain amounts a hundred times higher. In wine, the beneficial substances are absorbed very effectively, with high bioavailability. High absorption into the body coupled with daily use, consistently over decades that made wine so effective.  

On the other hand, supplements in most forms have much lower absorption into the body. Much of the supplement is lost and discarded through elimination. Yet the main issues with the supplements was inconstancy in taking them and short duration of use.

It comes down to compliance and duration, or the lack of both. At Shen, it is a daily battle and a lifelong effort to educate people in the concept of consistency and continuity aka compliance and duration. Herbal health is based on the same pattern, small amount, highly absorbable and compatible with the body, taken consistently over a long-enough period. This allows your own body to assimilate, process and benefit from the herbal substances. Enough beating the dead horse… for now.

The ancients knew more than what we give them credit for.  Long ago, they incorporated the consumption of wine as a custom of the French people. So it is with many dietary customs and celebratory recipes, and with other practices incorporated into the fabric and lifestyle of people around the world.

Interestingly, the Chinese herb Hu Zhang contains a high amount of absorbable Resveratrol and has been used in Chinese herbology for centuries. Likewise, Huang Lian is a Chinese herb with the highest amount of naturally occurring berberine. Its use is recorded in Chinese medical texts.