Marty Mayo, assistant professor of biochemistry, stated that resveratrol blocked the ability of an integral protein that fed it and by doing so aided in the prevention of cancer cells. The protein responsible for stimulating gene functions that promote cell survival is known as nuclear factor kappa B (Nf-kB) and is located inside the nucleus of all cells.
Mayo recommended that one glass of wine, three or four times a week, contained the sufficient amount of resveratrol to protect the protein from thriving cancer cells.
Mayo also cautioned against exceeding the recommended limit of wine consumption, because doing so could increase the risk of cancer.
Facts on Resveratrol
Mayo theorized that the cancer cells resveratrol came in contact with died as a result of a built-up sensitivity to a compound called Tumor Nectrosis Factor alpha (TNFa).
It is also believed a process referred to as apoptosis, the self-destruction of cancer cells, was activated by the compound resveratrol.
Other studies have revealed that resveratrol could play a role in controlling diseases such as atherosclerosis, heart disease, arthritis and autoimmune disorders.
Science Blog May 26, 2004
I have rarely been so excited about a compound. Resveratrol is an antioxidant found in a number of plants, including grape skins, raspberries, mulberries and peanuts and is known to have a number of beneficial health effects, including fighting cancer as I wrote back in 2002. It belongs to a family of compounds known as polyphenols, which are known to combat damaging free radicals in the body.
Wine is the primary dietary source of resveratrol. For comparison, fresh grape skin contains about 50 to 100 micrograms of resveratrol per gram, while red wine concentrations range from 1.5 to 3 milligrams per liter.
Wine does appear to be reasonably safe in moderation, however there are some precautions that need to be taken in regard to red wine, or any alcohol, consumption. While drinking about one glass of red wine each day may yield some benefit, drinking two or more glasses (of wine or any alcoholic beverage) may offset the benefit and increase your risk of certain cancers.
When drinking red wine you also need to check on the growing conditions of the grapes and how the wine is made. If the wine isn’t made with organic grapes, it may contain no resveratrol at all.
You also need to be aware that consuming large amounts of wine or grapes, which have a lower concentration of antioxidants than wine, will increase insulin levels and eventually have a negative impact on your health. It may be beneficial to consume whole grape skins and pass up the meat of the grape, which has no resveratrol but a lot of extra fructose.
Related Articles:
Why Red Wine May Help Your Heart It is Not the Alcohol in Wine That is Beneficial Blueberries Reverse Certain Aging Characteristics Grape Skin Extract Useful in Stroke You Should Live to be at Least 100--Find Out How Berries: A Great Source of Plant Antioxidants
Why Red Wine May Help Your Heart
It is Not the Alcohol in Wine That is Beneficial
Blueberries Reverse Certain Aging Characteristics
Grape Skin Extract Useful in Stroke
You Should Live to be at Least 100--Find Out How
Berries: A Great Source of Plant Antioxidants