In our previous article, we outlined some of the ways in which resveratrol fights several different types of cancer. We also mentioned that there are at least 12 documented ways in which resveratrol doses have been shown to fight cancer. Many times, these are dependent on the type of cancer in question. Today’s article is going to focus on resveratrol and breast cancer.
Breast cancer
Given the number of different cancers there are, it should come as no surprise that there are a number of different types of each cancer. Breast cancer is no exception, but there are a number of things each type has in common.
The first is that, like all cancers, breast cancers are indicated by the abnormal growth of tumours. If you really think about the many different processes which go on in our bodies, the existence of tumours is a given. We are constantly producing all sorts of different fluids, chemicals, enzymes, cells, and other small particles in our bodies. Tumours are large groupings of these compounds all in one place.
If that’s so, then why are tumours so alarming? The reason is that our bodies have natural ways of fighting off tumours. Genes in our RNA are specifically designed to suppress the growth of tumours, causing the body to reabsorb and get rid of excess materials. BCRA1 and 2 are examples of these genes.
However, every once in a while these genes undergo unnatural changes, or mutations. In the case of breast cancer, these genetic mutations are caused by an excess amount of estrogen in the body. Instead of being reabsorbed, the extra estrogen is transformed into what are called estrogen metabolites. These grow and increase in number, becoming ever more dangerous. Eventually, they interact with DNA on the cellular level, causing the many problems identified with breast cancer.
Resveratrol and estrogen
Once again, researchers have found that resveratrol (when tested on isolated cells) interacts and destroys the causes of breast cancer in several different ways. First of all, it greatly limits the functions which cause estrogen to be turned into estrogen metabolites. Less of these little lumps floating around mean less exposure of cells to too much of the hormone.
Next, when the metabolites are present, resveratrol blocks the interaction between them and normally functioning cellular DNA. This means they can’t interfere with the genetic codes.
Finally, resveratrol does what it does best in all situations, and that is causing an increase of important enzymes in our bodies. In this case, the enzyme activated by resveratrol dosages destroys the estrogen metabolites which have grown in the body.
