Researchers are saying that the resveratrol may in effect target the cancer cell's very energy source from the inside thereby crippling it. Most notably, when used in conjunction with radiation, treatment with the antioxidant resveratrol before radiation also induced cancer cell death, a very important objective of cancer treatment.

Paul Okunieff, MD, a researcher and chief of radiation oncology at the University of Rochester Medical Center has stated that "Antioxidant research is very active and very seductive right now," Okunieff says in a news release. "The challenge lies in finding the right concentration and how it works inside the cell. In this case, we've discovered an important part of that equation. Resveratrol seems to have a therapeutic gain by making tumor cells more sensitive to radiation and making normal tissue less sensitive."

Research in the U.S. has shown, in addition, that this compound which is commonly found in the skin of red grapes may become a very effective weight loss pill. The Chinese study has shown that resveratrol activates an enzyme called SIRT1. The SIRT1 then suppresses a molecule known as PTP1B, that normally decreases insulin activity.  

According to the article, by suppressing PTP1B you are in effect improving insulin activity. In fact, SIRT1 has other applications throughout the body. For example, it may at some point be possible to regulate the hypothalamus as a way to reduce diet induced obesity. The compound can cause animals to desire less food, thereby lowering body weight.

While drinking wine is one way to add resveratrol to your diet, there are many foods which provide the substance in its natural form. Foods like peanuts, red wine grapes and  blueberries all provide naturally high levels of the substance, to name just a few.

During their research they have found that if a cell is exposed to stress, (ie. calories are restricted) that these two enzymes go into action to defend the cell from aging related diseases.

Sirtris CEO Dr. Westphal has said, that SIRT501, the compounds under development at Sirtris is intended to be  far more effective and different in structure than naturally occurring resveratrol.

The potential for these pharmaceutical grade drugs is limitless, and as research continues it will be very interesting to see what new developments are reported with regard to treating the diseases associated with aging.  

This research is all based on the idea that a calorie-restricted diet may indeed be the driving force behind extending longevity. Further more, research has found that by reducing calories by perhaps 40% that the lifespan of yeast, rats and mice is extended by some 50%. Dr. David Sinclair of Harvard showed in the late 1990's that a single gene known as SIRT1 indeed controlled the ageing process. In addition, he showed that resveratrol does in fact activate this gene, which further explains the French Paradox. The French are know for eating a high calorie diet without the health related problems, and it is suggested that it is because they drink large amounts of red wine which contain the compound.

Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, a company based in Cambridge, Mass. and directed by Dr. Sinclair has shown that in mice, the adverse effects from a high calorie diet are reversible with the red wine extract. Sirtris has shown SRT501 to be effective in treating such diseases as diabetes. SRT501 being a more potent version of the compound.

Look for trials to begin in the UK very soon with 30 patients who have degenerative diseases.

Flax Lignans have been reported to reduce the the risk of some conditions like prostate cancer, and has even been suggested that it may reduce hair loss. Biogin has made it known that it intends to market the product in terms of its anti-oxidant value  as well as its potential for weight loss. Based on research linking high doses of resveratrol and weight loss in mice, the company introduced the phytochemical product to the weight loss market in the United States earlier this year.

As the number of Americans now considered obese or overweight is at record levels, these products will be most welcome. The US weight loss supplement market is estimated to be in the neighborhood of $3.9 Billion dollars. As resveratrol and flax lignans go more mainstream in the weight loss arena, we will perhaps see more new entrants into this expanding market. Biogin has added new production lines at its plant in southwest China to increase capacity in answer to growing demand.

In the area of Resveratrol research, more and more promising data continues to come forward from well regarded researchers like Dr. David Sinclair. This may indeed be one substance to keep a close eye on, in the never ending search for a better weight loss supplement.

It goes on to say that doctors are not encouraging anyone to consume alcohol because too much can, of course, have negative effects. However, doctors do agree that there is indeed something in red wine that is beneficial to the heart muscle. Further, the substance resveratrol found in the skin of red grapes which are used in wine making has promising benefits to the heart. Some researchers are suggesting that resveratrol may also help to prevent damage to blood vessels, reduce cholesterol and even prevent blood clots.

Research done with mice that were administered the substance indicates that it may protect them from diabetes as well as obesity, which are associated with heart disease. It is important to note that this research was done in mice, and not people, however researchers like Dr. David Sinclair are hard at work trying find the connection between the studies in mice and the potential for human trials. Dr. Sinclair, a Harvard researcher is perhaps one of the most public figures in the Red Wine anti-aging debate.   

The write-up discusses not only resveratrol, but also the potential for compounds that are more than 1000 times greater in potency than the naturally occurring resveratrol. Point your browser to http://www.technologyreview.com/Biotech/19238/  for the complete article.

This is exciting news related to resveratrols growing interest in both the scientific community as well as the medical community. The next several years will likely lead to additional findings and discoveries related to resveratrols potential in not only anti-aging  but also perhaps, weight loss and other yet to be identified disease fighting benefits.

As associate professor of pathology at harvard Medical School, Dr. Sinclair is also co-founder and a board member of Sirtris Pharmaceuticals.  

Many of these dark skinned foods are also rich in fiber. Plums, according to the article, are plentiful in one phytochemical called Resveratrol. Resveratrol is currently being studied in its ability to slow the aging process along with a host of other disease fighting attributes. Here is a good list of other deep purple foods that not only taste good, but will keep you feeling and looking great all summer long.

• Purple Grapes
• Purple Figs
• Purple Potatoes
  
• Purple Peppers
  
• Raisins
  
• Purple Cabbage
  
• Purple Asparagus
  
• Black Currants
  
• Blueberries
  
• Elderberries
  

A 2006 quote by one doctor, of the Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology in Illkirch, France mentions that "resveratrol makes you look like a trained athlete without the training." This is a powerful statement.

In terms of skin care development, one line called Caudalie is a red wine extract based skin care line from France. Additional companies are springing up with similar resveratrol based skin care products. The claim is that red wine extract based topical products are thousands of times more potent than even vitamin E in targeting free radicals.

If you have been following the growing interest in the potential health benefits of Red Wine Extract based supplements and now topical products, this recent La Times article is a must read.

If this research proves correct, then the implications related to neurodegenerative diseases are huge. The testing in mice also showed that there was measurable amounts of restoration in learning abilities as well as reduced death rates. If you recall, Dr. Sinclair is cofounder of a Cambridge, MA company called Sirtris. The company is moving forward in developing resveratrol based therapies for diseases such as type 2 diabetes.

One challenge in this field is the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier.  The mice in the study were actually given doses of Resveratrol injected directly into brain blood vessels. Researchers will have to leap this hurdle at some point to advance the research that has been done to date on Reseveratrol.