Resveratrol

Recent laboratory resveratrol research uncovered the potential of this molecule in helping to inhibit the development of osteoporosis without the health side effects. The study demonstrated that this molecular compound is a phytoestrogen – it binds to and turns on estrogen receptors – so the researchers deduced that resveratrol may have the potential in effecting bone metabolism and ultimately reduce the risk of bone mass atrophy.

Research was done using cell cultures in addition to lab rats that were susceptible to bone atrophy. Together, the data demonstrated that Resveratrol treatment had a positive effect on bone-forming activities.

Resveratrol activates genes necessary in bone formation and switches off genes involved in bone decay. The net effect was the precursor bone cells converted to bone-forming cells, called osteoblasts, and there was a restriction of the creation of bone-destroying cells known as osteoclasts. The end result was the bones getting stronger with augmented levels of bone mineral and bone structural proteins.

Unlike another treatment using a hormones, known as HRT(hormone replacement therapy), Resveratrol not only promotes the improvement in bone strength and resistance to osteoporosis, it also is known to prevent cancerous tumor growths, while HRT has been shown to increase the chance of cancer. Resveratrol actually activates a tumor suppressing protein known as FOXO3A in addition to activating proteins that lead to the promotion of bone growth.

The bone-forming effects related to resveratrol, along with its lack of cancer side effects that HRT is linked to, suggests this compound may be an ideal natural remedy for the prevention of osteoporosis. As with most research on Resveratrol, the results were induced in the lab with laboratory animals or cell cultures, so while encouraging and compelling, tests on humans have yet to determine the efficacy of Resveratrol on this condition.