Darragh Connolly asked:


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 now vast evidence supporting these claims.

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.

Resveratrol prevents cellular abnormlaities
There are an impressively high number of ways that resveratrol acts towards fighting cancer. 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 explains 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 boosts energy
Resveratrol acts at the cellular level to promote healthy functioning of the mitochondria. These important little organelles are involved in cell regulation and coordination, but they also produce chemical energy. A boost in energy levels, as reported by many resveratrol users, is often beneficial in fighting cancer and also dealing with many of the harsh medical treatments of cancer, such as chemo.

Resveratrol reduces the risk of cancer by improving cell operation
As previously mentioned, the mitochondria are involved in many of the inter-communications within the bodies cells. This process is called cell signalling. It is know that poor cell signalling can often cause cancer, hence, by improving the operation of mitochondria, resveratrol can thus help the body to remain cancer-free.

Resveratrol lowers superoxide levels
It also significantly increases the bodies MnSOD which reduces “superoxide”. Superoxide can result in mitochondrial instability and can trigger free radical chain reactions, which in turn, can lead to cancer.

Cancer cells die prematurely
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.

Resveratrol is an anti-oxidant polyphenol
Furthermore, like it’s sister nutrient the well-known Acai Berry, resveratrol is a polyphenol. This results in the rich coloring of these popular compounds. But it also means that they behave as anti-oxidants, cleansing the body of many toxins and neutralizing cancer-causing free radicals.

Resveratrol results in the lab
There have been countless scientific tests showing the beneficial effects of resveratrol on cancers and cancer tumor. In studies on mice, resveratrol administered orally was found to counteract skin cancer and tumor growth. In human cells tests, resveratrol was found to have inhibiting effects on many types of cancer: breast, skin, gastric, colon, esophageal, prostate and pancreatic cancer cells and leukemia. The best results have been obtained when resveratrol was applied directly to the surface of the affected cells in a laboratory environment. But are these resveratrol cancer benefits confined to the laboratory or can we expect the same results in orally-taken resveratrol supplements?

Can Resveratrol Supplements prevent cancer?
When considering resveratrol and cancer, it is too early to know whether supplements can produce the same results and actually cure cancer in humans. However there are some strong indications that these supplements are working well. There are many reports of people experiencing health benefits such as looking and feeling younger, weight loss, and increases in energy. Although prevention of cancer is a less quantifiable effect, these resveratrol supplements seemingly produce some astonishing results – preventing cancer may just be one of them.

Some evidence of the use of oral resveratrol in preventing cancer
Although it may take to prove, resveratrol cancer benefits have already been observed in diverse places such as France, Sardinia and Okinawa – where the risk of contracting the disease is far less than if you live in the United States. Since the inhabitants of these regions get their daily resveratrol fix orally – usually via red wine, or in the case of the Japanese via knotweed – this would appear to be a more than effective way of taking resveratrol. Thus, it seems rational that resveratrol pills may help prevent this fatal illness.

Valerie Rosenbaum asked:


If you are looking for a resveratrol recommended dosage for a specific health problem, you might ask a practitioner of traditional Japanese or Chinese herbal medicine about the appropriate dose of Japanese knotweed. Of course, they would only recommend the plant for use as a laxative, to relieve constipation or promote regularity.

Japanese knotweed is the most concentrated source of resveratrol and is the source for most dietary supplements. It is found in grape skins and peanuts, too. But, the supplement only appeared on shelves after news reports proclaimed that it was “the” compound in red wine that accounted for the health benefits of the beverage.

Later, conflicting research concluded that it could not account for the benefits, because the concentration was too low. That result never made it to the mass media. When the studies about red wine were released, vineyards wanted to have it classified as a “health food”. People, wanting to do everything that they can for their health, are prone to jump on the bandwagon and drive up demand for foods, beverages and supplements. That’s what happened with resveratrol supplements in 2006.

There are dozens of different manufacturers and none of them seem to agree on a daily resveratrol recommended dosage. Generally, if you wanted this kind of dietary supplement, you would be interested in the protective or preventative benefits, such as those that pertain to the heart and to preventing cancer. But, if you greatly exceed the amount that is present in nature, there could be a problem.

A liter of red wine with the highest concentration would only contain 12.59mg of the compound. The dried knotweed root contains as much as 187mg/kg or .187mg/gram. So, if a practitioner suggested 24 grams to relieve severe constipation, the patient would only receive about 4.48mg of resveratrol.

If a supplement company lists a resveratrol recommended dosage at 200mg or higher, you will almost surely experience diarrhea, which could lead to dehydration and is not beneficial for your health. At higher dosages, which are found in some of the supplements on the market, all of the known health benefits of this potent antioxidant are negated, because it becomes a pro-oxidant, meaning that it is something like a free radical, which is what antioxidants normally neutralize.

There is a lot of misinformation on the internet. Let me set the record straight. For the long-term health benefits of decreased cancer risk and cardiovascular health, a 20-50mg daily dose is sufficient. That’s according to a well respected chemist, nutritionist and doctor of naturopathic medicine.

He suggests that this resveratrol recommended dosage be combined with other beneficial extracts and essential nutrients that will allow you to feel better and possibly, live longer. What we want to strive for is the “optimal” nutritional intake. All of the basic vitamins, minerals and amino acids contribute to our long-term health and longevity.

There is no single stand-alone nutrient that is more beneficial to your health than any other. Consider this resveratrol recommended dosage a single part of your complete daily nutritional intake.