If you’ve read my other article concerning resveratrol you know that I explained that current research is investigating whether resveratrol can in fact help prevent cancer, or stall its growth. Presently there is much research being done to analyze if resveratrol is able to do this, and if so what is it’s method of action.

One study pointed out that it can stop the multistep carcinogenesis, tumor initiation, promotion and progression. They speculate that resveratrol acts as a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger to halt tumor creation. Basically ROS are ions, so they are missing one electron and this causes them to become very volatile and can damage cells. What resveratrol does is scavenge them to stop them from causing damage to your body. (1)

They also found that resveratrol was an inhibitor of iNOS and Cox-2, both of which have many cellular functions however it was noted in the article that excessive expression of these could lead to the pathogenesis of many diseases such as carcinogenesis. Additionally, they state that iNOS and Cox-2 are the main features of the inflammatory response which can cause repair and carcinogenesis as well. This is obviously beneficial due to the fact that the inhibition of these two proteins can help prevent carcinogenesis. (1)

The same study noted that other studies as well found resveratrol to act as a cancer chemopreventive and a chemotherapeutic agent in humans. For example it has been found too cause apoptotic cell death in leukemia cells and breast cancer cells. (1)

Overall, it seems that resveratrol seems to be incredibly beneficial as a supplement; however I think the research is still too early to take it to prevent or cure cancer.

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