Resveratrol May be able to Prevent Lung Cancer

Grape Skins are Abundant in Resveratrol

Resveratrol is an anti-oxidant found in abundance in the skins of grapes, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, mulberries, peanuts, pine trees, knotweeds and many other plants. It is also sold as a nutritional supplement and is generally considered to be safe. Resveratrol has been found able to prevent cancers including lung cancer in mice.

Resveratrol Killed Cancer Cells in the Laboratory

A study published November 1, 2003 in the International Journal of Cancer (IJC) notes that in the laboratory resveratrol was able to destroy human colon cancer cells. Another study published by researchers at the University of Virginia May 28, 2004, in the Journal of the European Molecular Biology showed that resveratrol prevented the action of a key protein that feeds cancer cells. This starving of the cancer cells caused the cancer cells to self-destruct by the process of apoptosis.

Previous Research Showed other Benefits for Resveratrol

Previous research showed that resveratrol had a beneficial effect on arthritis, heart disease, atherosclerosis and auto immune diseases.

Resveratrol was not as Effective when Fed by Mouth to Animals

In spite of the fact that resveratrol was effective in destroying cancer cells in the lab, it was not as effective when fed to laboratory animals by mouth. While resveratrol is well absorbed in the digestive tract, it is very quickly broken down by the liver and excreted in the urine. This results in not enough resveratrol to target cancer cells outside of the digestive system. Researchers had to find a way to get resveratrol absorbed in a better way in order to be effective against cancers outside of the digestive system like lung cancer.

Resveratrol was Most Effective When Delivered to the Noses of Mice

A study published September 24, 2018 in Scientific Reports by researchers from the University of Geneva in Switzerland discovered that the best way to get protection from resveratrol against lung cancer was to administer resveratrol to mice by their noses instead of their mouths.

Resveratrol may be a Safe Way to Protect Smokers and Ex-smokers Against Lung Cancer

The researchers believe their results may pave the way for a safe chemoprotective treatment to prevent lung cancer in smokers and ex-smokers. In fact the researchers think that it may be possible to add resveratrol to the ingredients in electronic cigarettes.

Lung Cancer

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States after heart disease. Of all the different types of cancers, lung and bronchus cancer is the number one leading cause of death from cancer for both men and women in the United States. In 2015 there were 218,527 new cases of lung and bronchus cancer and 153,718 people died of lung and bronchus cancer in the United States. Smoking tobacco and second-hand tobacco smoke is a leading cause, not only for lung cancer, but for all cancers and studies have shown that there is no safe level of tobacco use. See  our blog post from November 15, 2018 for more about how smoking tobacco can cause 12 kinds of cancers.

How to get Help to Quit Smoking

The National Cancer Institute (NCI)

You can phone the National Cancer Institute’s Smoking Quitline and speak to someone who can help you to quit smoking.

The National Cancer Institute’s Smoking Quitline, 1-877-448-7848 (1-877-44U-QUIT) Smokefree.gov, which connects you with your State’s Quitline, 1-800-784-8669 (1-800-QUITNOW)

Veterans Smoking Quitline, 1-855-784-8838 (1-855-QUITVET)

Risk Factors for Lung and Bronchus Cancer

The main risk factors for lung and bronchus cancers are all made worse by also smoking:

• Aging
• Smoking
• Environmental pollution like air pollution, radon gas, asbestos
• Genetic factors

Short-term Rehabilitation or Long-term Skilled Nursing Care

If you or your loved one are in need of a good rehab and skilled nursing facility, check out the Van Duyn Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Syracuse, New York. They also have wonderful amenities and recreational programs. If you are suffering from any kind of lung diseases, Van Duyn has a state-of-the-art respiratory wellness program with a team of expert respiratory therapists.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this anti-oxidant resveratrol will become available in some kind of way to be used to prevent cancers and lung cancer in humans.