Resveratrol Administered to Noses in Mice Helped Prevent Lung Cancer
Grape Skins are a Rich Source for Resveratrol
Resveratrol
Resveratrol is an anti-oxidant found abundantly in the skin of grapes, mulberries, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, bilberries, peanuts, pine trees, knotweeds and many other plants. It is also sold as a nutritional supplement and has been shown to be safe.
Resveratrol found to Kill Cancer Cells in the Laboratory
In 2003 researchers made an amazing discovery. They found that resveratrol could destroy human colon cancer cells in the laboratory. These results were published November 1, 2003, in the International Journal of Cancer (IJC).
Resveratrol Killed Cancer Cells by Apoptosis
Results of a study published May 28. 2004, in the Journal of the European Molecular Biology, by researchers at the University of Virginia Health System showed that resveratrol inhibited the action of a key protein that feeds cancer cells and this starving of the cancer cells caused the cancer cells to self-destruct in a process called apoptosis.
Previous Research Showed Resveratrol Beneficial for Other Diseases
Previous research had also shown a beneficial association between resveratrol and heart disease, arthritis, atherosclerosis and auto immune diseases.
Resveratrol Delivered to the Noses of Mice Improved Lung Cancer
While resveratrol showed great results in destroying cancer cells in the lab and showed protective benefits against colon cancer in mice when it was taken by mouth, it was less successful when fed to animals for lung cancer. Resveratrol is well absorbed in the digestive track, but is broken down very quickly by the liver and excreted in the urine, so not enough may get absorbed to target cancer cells outside of the digestive system when taken by mouth. However, according to a new study published September 24, 2018, in Scientific Reports, researchers from the University of Geneva in Switzerland found that giving resveratrol to mice through their noses gave more protection against lung cancer.
A Safe Chemopreventive Way to Prevent Cancer in Smokers and Ex-smokers
The researchers hope that their results will lead to a safe chemopreventive way to prevent lung cancer in people who are at high risk for it like smokers and ex-smokers. Today, some of the drugs like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs used to prevent certain kinds of cancers have dangerous side effects and doctors have to weigh the advantages against the risks. The researchers even suggest that resveratrol could possibly be added 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. 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. Read more about smoking and how to quit at our blog post from March 21, 2018.
Risk Factors for Lung and Bronchus Cancer
Aging
Smoking
Environmental factors like radon gas, radiation or asbestos – Smoking increases the risk even higher for developing lung cancer.
Genetic risks are also worsened by bad lifestyle habits like smoking.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR)
If you or your loved one suffer from lung cancer or other serious lung diseases, your doctor may recommend that you undergo pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). To learn more about pulmonary rehabilitation please see our blog post from February 10, 2018.
Pulmonary Care at Ditmas Park Rehab and Care Center in Brooklyn, New York
The Ditmas Park Rehab and Care Center in Brooklyn, New York is known for its outstanding world class pulmonary care that includes ventilator care, weaning from the ventilator, tracheotomy care and respiratory care.
Brooklyn Hospitals near Ditmas Park Rehab and Care
New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital
NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn (formerly named NYU Lutheran Medical Center)
SUNY Downstate Medical Center – University Hospital of Brooklyn
NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County
Conclusion
Hopefully, a non-toxic substance like resveratrol will become available in some kind of way to be used in noses of people who are at high risk for lung cancer.