Resveratrol may be helpful in reducing the growth of prostate cancer cells and also provides a myriad of other health benefits.

According to the US Agricultural Research Service, the compound responsible for the so called “French Paradox” is proving to be a potent weapon against one of the deadliest killers around – prostate cancer.

The statement from the US ARS came about because of a study that was published in the medical journal Carcinogenesis. In the said study, in-vitro testing showed that prostate cancer cells actually died when they were exposed to the potent compound, resveratrol.

Throwing caution into the air

While it was true that cancer cell inhibition took place when the prostate cancer cells were exposed to the compound, it also increased the growth of blood vessels after the initial death of cancer cells, according to Thomas Wang, a researcher working for the Diet, Genomics and Immunology Laboratory of the US ARS.

The growth of extra blood vessels in the site of the prostate cancer was observed in laboratory animals who were genetically prone to developing prostate cancer.  Each of the animal subjects had been given 3 to 6 milligrams of the potent compound, which was equivalent to the amount of resveratrol found in six glasses of red wine.

What does this all mean?

According Wang, more research is needed to further substantiate the potential anti-cancer benefits of resveratrol.  He also stated there should be a clear focus on studying the effective dosage needed for cancer prevention as well as important factors such as interaction with other chemical compounds and timing.  In short – people shouldn’t be complacent with just taking large amounts of supplements.

The issue of overabundance

Nutrients (like vitamins, theanine and resveratrol) are still biological compounds, whether we like it or not.  With the proliferation of nutritional supplements in the market, it’s hard not to take extra doses of these supplements because of the health benefits.  Folic acid for one, is being taken in large amounts by people because of its numerous purported health benefits.

But did you know that too much of this nutrient can actually encourage the growth of cancer cells?

According to Joel Mason, a program director for the US ARS, cancer requires a very complex process in order to survive.  And one of the requirements for cell growth are nutrients like folic acid.

If you get more than four hundred micrograms of folic acid per day, you just might be encouraging the growth of cancer cells, instead of preventing it.

Too much folic acid can actually facilitate the DNA replication process necessary for the growth of cancer cells.  Watch what you eat – if you take a high-nutrient shake in the morning and eat folic-acid loaded snacks toward the end of the day, you just might be taking in too much of the nutrient.

Other benefits of resveratrol

1. Resveratrol helps promote a healthy heart by reducing oxidative stress and by improving blood circulation.  It also reduces the incidence of swelling or inflammation in the body’s tissues, as well as reduce unnecessary clotting in the blood vessels, which may lead to embolisms or even stroke.

2. In another study, it was shown that resveratrol prevented the initial processes required for cancer growth.

3. Studies show that resveratrol can help seniors by reducing the risk of neurological diseases and neural degeneration.

4. Coupled with calorie reduction, resveratrol can make a person resistant to many chronic and degenerative conditions such as heart diseases and even diabetes.

5. If used in conjunction with supplements like co-enzyme Q10 and omega 3 fatty acids, resveratrol can protect you from conditions like coronary heart disease.

6. Resveratrol has also been shown to reduce damage caused by stroke.

Sources:
nutraingredients.com
altmedicine.about.com
longevity.about.com
longevity.about.com
altmedicine.about.com
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altmedicine.about.com

Resveratrol may help diabetics overcome eye damage by preventing the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the eyes.

In a recent study by researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine, it was found that resveratrol, a key compound in red wine and fresh foods such as peanuts and fresh grapes, may be able to save the diabetics from vision loss in the near future.

Published in the American Journal of Pathology, researchers stated that the compound can reverse the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the eyes (in animal studies).

Retinal damage was reduced when the blood vessel growth was regulated. According to Dr. Rajendra Apte, this is a very novel way of looking at resveratrol because for many years, laymen and scientists studied and used resveratrol for its heart-healthy benefits and antioxidant content.

The study

While many people are confident of resveratrol’s ability to protect the heart and slow aging, few have looked at this compound for its ability to protect the eyes, especially in the face of age-related macular degeneration and type 2 diabetes-related eye damage.

Rajte’s study involved using lasers on the retinas of laboratory mice. The laser treatment encouraged the growth of additional blood vessels in the eyes of the animal subjects. When the abnormal vessels began to form, the mice were regular feedings of resveratrol.

The researchers observed that resveratrol was able to slow down the current growth of the blood vessels as well as inhibit further formation of additional blood vessels. The beneficial effects of the compound was identified in the chemical pathway eEF2.

While there was a measure of success in animal trials, Rajte added that the doses that were given to the mice were much higher than what was found in numerous bottles of regular red wine. Because of this, Dr. Rajte noted that if this approach was used on humans, then resveratrol must be given in its complete/full form in order to work effectively. I personally recommend Nature’s Way, because that’s the brand of resveratrol supplement I use.

Other benefits of taking resveratrol

Resveratrol can be sourced from fresh food, red wine and supplements. If you want a fuller dose and more convenient packaging, supplements are of course a good choice.

Three to five half-servings of red wine per week are also good. Don’t overdo it though; excessive use of alcohol is bad for the health. But as for resveratrol, the more you can get, the better the results. If you can get at least 2,000 milligrams per day, you are that much closer to reaping the full benefits of the compound.

And here are some other reasons to love resveratrol:

• It is a natural anti-inflammatory agent, which may help individuals with chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, etc.
• Resveratrol also has been studied for its direct, anti-viral activities.
• Resveratrol has been reported to have anti-cancer properties. In addition to its antioxidant activities, resveratrol also initiates the death of cancerous cells. The problem with cancer cells is that they literally forget how to naturally die – which makes the abnormal cells malignant and dangerous to the human body. Resveratrol takes care of this problem by triggering natural cell death called apoptosis.
• Resveratrol may also be useful in combating Alzheimer’s disease by protecting the body’s nerves from physical damage and build-up of plaque.
• In addition to eye health, resveratrol can also help diabetics by improving cell sensitivity to insulin. Insulin production is not always the main problem with many type-2 diabetics; sometimes, the diabetics are producing enough insulin but the body’s cells are not responding to the natural insulin, which causes a host of problems.
• If you want something to aid in weight loss, forget hyped-up supplements – take resveratrol instead. According to studies, this compound can help people lose weight by initiating caloric restriction in the body.
• Resveratrol may also help reduce the incidence of breast cancer by inhibiting the interaction between the female hormone estrogen and the human DNA, according to a study performed by researchers from the University of Nebraska.
• According to an animal study from the University of South Florida, resveratrol may help people suffering from fatty liver by enhancing fat metabolism in this vital organ.

Sources:
nutraingredients.com
webmd.com
webmd.com
webmd.com
webmd.com
webmd.com