What is resveratrol?
It is a phytoalexin antioxidant, which is produced by a plant as a self defense mechanism. These phytoalexins are antibiotics for the plant, serving to protect the plant and keep it healthy. Resveratrol is commonly found in the skin of grapes. Red wine can have varying concentrations of resveratrol, as the skin stays a part of the wine making process longer than it does for white wine, but amounts can vary due to the process used to produce the wine.
How does it offer hope for cancer?
Studies have shown resveratrol to extend the life span of yeast and mice, and anti-cancer, as well as other benefits, have been seen in mouse and rat experiments.
New research on this phytoalexin indicates it may make radiation work better while protecting healthy cells such as in cases of pancreatic cancer. According to lead researcher Paul Okuneiff, M.D., chief of radiation oncology at the James J. Wilmot Cancer Center at the University of Rochester Medical Center, "Resveratrol seems to help by making tumor cells more sensitive to radiation and making normal cell tissue less sensitive."
Resveratrol has been reported to cripple the mitochondria of a cancer cell, and pancreatic cancer cells pretreated with resveratrol before radiation underwent apoptosis, which is programmed cell death. This is good news against cancer, especially considering that pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly forms of cancer.
Taking into account that cancer can be growing in your body sometimes for years before you even know it's there, regular use of resveratrol may offer protection against the unknown. And, while no research has yet proven actual cancer prevention ability for this antioxidant, Eleanor G. Rogan, PhD, at the University of Nebraska says in a news release, "Resveratrol has the ability to prevent the first step that occurs when estrogen starts the process that leads to cancer. We believe that this could stop the whole progression that leads to breast cancer down the road."
If regular use of resveratrol can make a difference, there really may be hope in the fight against cancer.
