Because resveratrol has anti-inflammatory properties, and the researchers know that prior to tumors growing in lung tissue, inflammation occurs because of the accumulation of toxic free radicals, Resveratrol may have binded with and removed the free radicals.

The scientists were shocked to see that actually resveratrol didn’t remove the free radials, but instead protected the enzymes, called caspasses, that kill off precancerous cells.

This exciting new development will be published in a new paper in the International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology in the upcoming month or two.

There are numerous types of phytochemicals and every one functions uniquely. The following list outlines some of the functions phytochemicals including resveratrol serve in enhancing our health and prevent disease and ailments.

1) Antioxidant Function- The majority of phytochemicals function as antioxidants which protect our cells from oxidative damage and inhibit the risk of developing specific kinds of cancerous cells. Examples of these phytochemicals with antioxidant activity are allyl sulfides (onions, leeks, garlic), carotenoids (fruits, carrots), flavonoids (fruits, vegetables), polyphenols (tea, grapes).

2) Hormonal Function – Isoflavones, found in soy, mimic human estrogens and assist in reducing menopausal symptoms and the onset of osteoporosis.

3) Activation of enzymes – Indoles, which are present in cabbages, activate enzymes that inhibit over production of estrogen that may reduce the risk for breast cancer. Other phytochemicals, which interfere with enzymes, are protease inhibitors (soy and beans), terpenes (citrus fruits and cherries).

4) DNA Replication Inhibitors – Saponins present in beans inhibit replication of cell DNA, thus inhibiting the increase of cancer cells. Capsaicin, found in hot peppers, shields DNA from carcinogens.

5) Anti -Bacterial Function – Garlic has anti-bacterial properties from the phytochemical allicin .

6) Anti-Adhesion Property – A few phytochemicals bond to cell walls thus restricting the adhesion of pathogens to human cell walls. Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins which are responsible for the fruit’s anti-adhesion properties. Eating fresh cranberries or drinking cranberry juice will decrease the risk of urinary tract infection and can augment dental health.

In the experiment, lab mice that were not pre-treated with resveratrol developed a serious reaction comprobable to the inflammatory disorder, Sepsis. Sepsis is an acute form of inflamation that regularly leads to death if not treated in a timely manner. Even when treated, Sepsis can cause damage to internal organs due to the intense swelling.

The scientists showed that resveratrol inhibits two major proteins in the body that activate inflammation. This research is another in the long string of studies that continues to point to the multifaceted health benefits of resveratrol.

The researchers published their study in the Federation of the American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal in the August issue.

Lindsay Brown, associate professor in the School of Biomedical Sciences at The University of Queensland and author of the research says “The breadth of benefits is remarkable – cancer prevention, protection of the heart and brain from damage, reducing age-related diseases such as inflammation, reversing diabetes and obesity, and many more.”

“It has long been a question as to how such a simple compound could have these effects but now the puzzle is becoming clearer with the discovery of the pathways, especially the sirtuins, a family of enzymes that regulate the production of cellular components by the nucleus.

The major points to the study established the following:

Resveratrol exhibits therapeutic potential for cancer chemo-prevention as well as cardio-protection. Brown states “It sounds contradictory that a single compound can benefit the heart by preventing damage to cells, yet prevent cancer by causing cell death,.”The most likely explanation is that low concentrations of Resveratrol activate survival mechanisms of cells while high concentrations turn on the in-built death signals in these cells.”

Resveratrol may inhibit age-related disorders, like neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and inflammation. Brown says “The simplest explanation is that resveratrol turns on the cell’s own survival pathways, preventing damage to individual cells,”. “Further mechanisms help, including removing very reactive oxidants in the body and improving blood supply to cells.”

Low doses of resveratrol increase cellular survival as a function of cardio- and neuro-protection, while high Resveratrol doses increase cell death. “The key difference is probably the result of activation of the sirtuins in the nucleus,” said Brown. “Low activation reverses age-associated changes, while high activation increases the process of apoptosis or programmed cell death to remove cellular debris. Similar changes are seen with low-dose versus high-dose resveratrol: low-dose resveratrol produces cellular protection and reduces damage, while high-dose resveratrol prevents cancers,” Said Brown.

These findings seem to point to resveratrol’s dual role in both maintaining health blood flow and heart health when taken in lower doses, while also exhibiting anti-cancer ant-tumor qualities in larger doses.
Final notes made by Stephen Taylor, from the University of Queensland Pharmacology department, is that red wine Resveratrol is largely inactivated by the digestive processes in the stomach and liver before it reaches the blood stream. So, he concludes that the biological effects could be even more profound with greater bioavailability – this suggests the possible potency of Resveratrol supplements that deliver Resveratrol in capsules, that can pass through the digestive process without dissolving rapidly, may be a better source of Resveratrol than tablet or powders.