Resveratrol protects the prostate

TRAMP mice dependably develop prostate cancer by their 10 week of life and by 12 weeks of age they may have already developed a metastasis to distant sites. Therefore, TRAMP mice are used to test the effects of drugs, surgery, diet, and nutrients on the risk of developing or the progression of prostate adenocarcinoma. By 28 weeks of age 100 % of these mice have developed metastasis of their prostate cancer to distant sites; to their lymph nodes or lungs.

In this study scientists from the University of Alabama at Birmingham fed TRAMP mice either a high dosage of Resveratrol powder in their chow or the same diet but without the supplement starting at five weeks old. Resveratrol significantly reduced the incidence of severe prostate cancer by 7.7 fold or 87%. The mice with the greatest protection were on the Resveratrol powder for seven months. In the mice that did develop prostate cancer, the cancer was less serious and they were 48% more likely to have their tumor growth slowed or even halted by the supplement. The amount used in this study is the equivalent of a person consuming one bottle of red wine per day, which is not advisable. Dr. Lamartiniere, the lead study author states "I drink a glass a day (of red wine) every evening because I'm concerned about prostate cancer: it runs in my family." The study is published online ahead of print in the journal Carcinogenesis.