Resveratrol Strongly Protects Breast Tissue

In breast tissue 17 Beta-Estradiol is metabolized into estrogen metabolites known as catechol estrogens. These catechol estrogens generate free radicals that cause inflammation in the breast leading to cell damage. Catechol estrogens are toxic to breast cells and they are connected to the breast cancer process, and likely also to ovarian and uterine cancer. Dioxin is a synthetic chemical or a byproduct of incineration. The defoliant Agent Orange used in the Vietnam War, and the major chemical pollutants in the Love Canal scandal are dioxins. Dioxin is one of the strongest cancer causing chemicals known to science and it is also connected to kidney damage, liver damage, wasting syndrome, birth defects, and death.

In this study adding dioxin to breast tissue triggered the conversion of estradiol to catechol estrogens. Resveratrol strongly blocked the attachment of dioxin to breast tissue. Resveratrol reduced the formation of dangerous catechol estrogens. Resveratrol also significantly stopped the creation of free radicals and blocked DNA genetic damage and significantly blocked the toxicity of the catechol estrogens. Resveratrol is a potential chemopreventive agent against dioxin and catechol estrogen induced breast cancer. The study is published in the October 2004 issue of the journal Carcinogenesis.

Red Wine Significantly Blocks the most Dangerous Prostate Cancer

A new study shows that men who drink four to seven (4oz) glasses of red wine each week have a 48% lower risk of prostate cancer than non-drinkers. Each glass of red wine decreased the risk of prostate cancer by 6%; beer, white wine, or other liquors lacked this effect. Significantly - moderate red wine drinkers who drank up to eight glasses per week had a 61% decreased risk of the most dangerous and aggressive prostate forms of prostate cancer. The researchers say the Resveratrol in the red wine is likely responsible for the strong anticancer effects. The study is published in the August 25th issue of the International Journal of Cancer.

Alcohol Abuse Tied to 75,000 Deaths a Year in the U.S.

Alcohol abuse kills 75,000 Americans each year shortening their lives by an average of 30 years. In 2001 34,833 people died from liver cirrhosis, cancer and other diseases that were linked to alcohol abuse. 40,933 people died from alcohol related car crashes and other accidents. Any man who averaged more than 2 drinks per day or more than 4 drinks per occasion were judged to be an excessive drinker. For women it was more than 1 drink per day or 3 drinks per occasion. Men accounted for 72% of alcohol related deaths, and those 21 years of age or younger accounted for 6% of the death toll. The study was published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and appears in the September 24th issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Vitamin E Supplement Lowers the Risk of Diabetes

A daily dose with a vitamin E supplement helps delay the onset of diabetes in people with a high risk of developing this potentially deadly disease. A liver enzyme called ALT and free radical activity is high in people with insulin resistance (pre-diabetes), and antioxidant levels are very low in these people. Eighty overweight people were given 800IU of vitamin E a day or placebo for 3 months, the dose of vitamin E was then increased to 1,200 IU a day for an additional 3 months. Plasma peroxides decreased by 27% at 3 months and by 29% at 6 months in the supplemented group. At 3 months fasting glucose and insulin concentrations were reduced significantly and the body was more at a state of homeostasis (biochemical balance) although this effect waned with the higher dose. However significantly the level of ALT liver enzyme decreased significantly throughout the study and so did free radical activity. The liver plays a key role in sugar and insulin metabolism and is the main site of insulin clearance from the blood; heightened levels of the liver enzyme ALT are connected to an increased risk of developing diabetes. The study is published in the September 2004 issue of the journal Diabetes Care.