If you missed the March 28, 2008 CBS News online article about Resveratrol, you will be pleased to know that according to the CBS write-up, Resveratrol may destroy cancer cells when teamed with radiation. It goes on to say that a recent study has found that the antioxidant know as resveratrol attacks cancer cells from the inside and actually enhances radiation, as well as chemotherapy treatments.

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."

A recent article in U.S. News has outlined what Chinese researchers have discovered about the compound resveratrol and how it may help in treating diabetes. The research has focused on resveratrol's ability to improve certain sensitivities in mice to insulin. This in turn may lead to better treatments for type 2 diabetes, in the case where human cells become less sensitive to insulin.

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.

We are hearing more and more these days as the resveratrol research continues to roll in from bio-pharmaceutical company Sirtris. In a recent online article at EarthTimes.org there is a a good discussion about cell aging and diseases related to aging. It talks about how researchers at Sirtris have shown that by stimulating SIRT3  and SIRT4, which are enzymes in the sirtuin family that they are able to protect against damage to cells. This is how they have been able to come to the conclusion that sirtuins can be vital targets for treating diseases related to aging.

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.  

Researchers in Great Britain will test the curative properties of resveratrol in such areas as heart disease. The article in SAWF News talks about resveratrol as being the "magic ingredient" which may offer real hope as a cure for the diseases associated with ageing. It goes on to say that there has been activity with regard to the compound in India as well, as research there centers around SRT501 (another version of the compound) and its effects on diabetes.

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.

A Chinese company called Biogin, in an article online at NutraIngredientsUSA.com, is increasing production of flax lignan in response to increased demand. Both resveratrol and flax ligan have been showing very strong promise as an effective weight loss product. The article reports that Biogin Biochemicals has experienced a 30 percent increase in demand for flax lignans specifically from clients in the US and Europe.

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.