An estimated 200,000 American men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010, according to National Cancer Institute. While in some cases there are no warning symptoms, some men with this condition may experience urinary symptoms like needing to urinate frequently, pain and burning during urination or blood in the urine. Other symptoms may include difficulty having an erection or low back pain. Standard therapy includes surgery, radiation and chemo therapy. If you consider taking resveratrol to better manage prostate cancer, you should first talk to your doctor.
Cancer Prevention
Resveratrol has strong antioxidant qualities and has shown possible benefits in improving heart conditions, diabetes and cancer. Based on current research, resveratrol is a potent natural substance against cancer and lowers the incidence of prostate cancer, as well as breast and other forms of cancer, according to Drugs.com.
Resveratrol Kills Cancer Cells
According to a medical team from Virginia Bioinformatics Institute, resveratrol is able to inhibit the growth and even kill prostate cancer cells. In their study published in the December 2010 issue of "PloS One" the authors noted that certain proteins called FOXO were linked with the biological effects of resveratrol in stopping the progression of prostate cancer by killing the cancerous cells.
Another study, conducted in vitro at New York Medical College and published in the January 2011 issue of "Carcinogenesis" indicated that resveratrol has limited bioavailability and two related compounds, triacetyl-resveratrol and trimethoxy-resveratrol can effectively inhibit prostate cancer at any stage.
Resveratrol & Chemo
Resveratrol is able to enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic drugs used for cancer therapy and further help to kill cancerous cells, according to a study featured in the January 2011 "Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences." Resveratrol sensitizes the cancer cells to the action of chemo drugs for several forms of cancer, including prostate, lung, pancreatic cancer, the authors suggest.
Considerations
Resveratrol is a natural compound found in red grapes, some berries and a Japanese plant called knotweed. For medicinal purposes resveratrol is available as an over-the-counter supplement in North America. Although considered a safe and well-tolerated supplement, it may interfere with some drugs, particularly blood thinners.
Consult a qualified health care provider to find out optimal dosage of resveratrol and other natural supplements that may help your condition. Keep in mind that this supplement does not replace and should not be used to replace conventional drug treatment or surgery. Resveratrol is not approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration to manage prostate cancer.
References
- Drugs.com: Resveratrol
- "PloS One"; Resveratrol induces growth arrest and apoptosis through activation of FOXO transcription factors in prostate cancer cells; Q.Chen, et al; December 2010
- "Carcinogenesis"; Control of prostate cell growth, DNA damage and repair and gene expression by resveratrol analogues, in vitro; T.C.Shieh, et al; January 2011
- "Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences." ; Chemosensitization of tumors by resveratrol; S.C. Gupta, et al; January 2011
- National Cancer Institute: Prostate Cancer
