How Resveratrol Helps to Fight Cancer

There are many claims that Resveratrol can assist the body to overcome cancer, but many people are still wary of such claims. After all hasn't science been searching for the all-important cure since research began into this fatal illness? One would certainly hope so! To discover that a potential cure may exist in every bottle of red wine has understandably raised hopes - and more than a few skeptical eyebrows.

However, there is more than enough scientific evidence to suggest that resveratrol can help prevent cancer and even has beneficial effects on existing cancerous cells. Let's examine the ways that resveratrol helps in fighting cancer.

There are a multitude of ways that resveratrol acts towards combatting cancer. Cancer growth in the human body takes place in 3 stages: initial manifestation; promotion; and eventual propagation. It has been found that resveratrol interupts all 3 stages. Scientists now agree that practically every mechanism of tumor growth and progression is inhibited by resveratrol.

Most cancers are caused and are propagated by genetic abnormalities in affected cells. Since resveratrol assists DNA in accurately producing healthy cells, even from damaged ones, this can explain why resveratrol can inhibit the promotion of cancer. Another welcome side-effect of this process is looking and feeling younger, as genetic cell abnormalities do not persist.

Resveratrol acts at the cellular level to promote healthy functioning of the mitochondria. These important little organelles are involved in cell regulation and coordination, and they also produce chemical energy. A boost in energy levels, as reported by many resveratrol users, can be beneficial in fighting cancer and also dealing with many of the harsh medical treatments of cancer, such as chemo.

As previously mentioned, the mitochondria are involved in many of the inter-communications (called signalling) within the bodies cells. It is known that poor cell signalling can lead to many diseases including cancer. Hence, by improving the operation of mitochondria, resveratrol can thus help the body to remain cancer-free.

It also significantly increases the bodies MnSOD which reduces "superoxide" levels. Superoxide can result in mitochondrial instability and can trigger free radical chain reactions, which in turn, can lead to cancer. Thus by lowering superoxide levels and promoting mitochodrial stability, the risks of cancer are reduced.

During the propagatation stage of cancer, it undergoes metastasis. Cancer metastasis is the means by which cancer spreads to other regions and organs via the blood and lymph. Resveratrol promotes cell destruction in malignant cells, while nurturing healthy ones. Thus cancerous cells are induced to die prematurely, limiting their impact on the body, and preventing cancer propagation by metastasis.

Furthermore resveratrol, like the well-known Acai Berry, is a polyphenol which produces the rich coloring of these popular compounds. Polyphenols behave as anti-oxidants, cleansing the body of many toxins and neutralizing cancer-causing free radicals.

So there are a multitude of ways in which resveratrol works to combat cancer. To date most of the investigations have been performed in the laboratory under controlled conditions. However, since resveratrol supplements are widely available today many people are enjoying the health benefits already. These people often claim increased energy levels, feeling and looking younger, as well as losing weight. Clearly these supplements are working well and are producing some astonishing results. But can they help to prevent cancer?

There are still many unanswered questions regarding resveratrol and cancer. It may be too early to have absolute proof that resveratrol supplements can reduce the risk of cancer. However it is worth considering that the Okinawans who enjoy resveratrol as part of their staple diet have the lowest cancer statistics in the world. Although there is some way to go until the cancer fighting benefits of supplements are proven, with the abundance of other health benefits associated with resveratrol there's really no good reason to wait to find out.