There have been hundreds of studies concerning resveratrol and cancer prevention, as well as treatment. Some researchers believe that it may eventually be developed into a new treatment. Others disagree. The debate is likely to drag on for years, if it is ever resolved. It is not unlike the vitamin C debate.

In the late 1980s, Linus Pauling and Abram Hoffer developed a micronutrient regimen, which included high doses of vitamin C, as complement to conventional treatment. Although it was proven to be successful, the regimen was never adopted by the mainstream medical community. Research concerning the beneficial role that high doses of intravenous vitamin C play in the treatment and outcome of surviving the disease is still ongoing, nearly 20 years later.

Extremists say that research concerning natural cures and preventative measures has been covered up by the pharmaceutical companies and even doctors. One controversial naturalist states that doctors have no interest in making us well. It would hurt their business.

Regardless of where you stand on this issue, it is safe to say that the research concerning resveratrol and cancer prevention, if not treatment, is promising. Researchers say that it interferes with all stages of the disease, from initiation to progression. Other research has focused on the benefit to the heart. The supplement has been shown to prolong the life of heart cells.

In various studies, it has been shown to extend the lifespan of short-lived worms, fruit flies and fish. In animals fed a high fat diet, it has been shown to reduce the damaging effects that the fat has on the heart and other cells of the body, reducing the risk of heart disease to that of animals eating a normal, low-fat diet.

Like the resveratrol and cancer studies, this is all referred to as “preliminary” research. The effect that a nutrient or other compound has on a cell or even an animal model cannot always be duplicated in humans. Some research indicates that supplementation would not be beneficial, because the nutrient does not enter the bloodstream. But, to include it in a totally balanced vitamin, mineral and micro-nutrient supplement definitely couldn't hurt.

Many nutrients are changed significantly by stomach acid. If they can get past the stomach and into the upper intestine, they can pass through the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream. The best supplements have an enteric coating, which protects these nutrients from being changed and degraded by stomach acid.

Besides the studies concerning resveratrol and cancer, there have been many other interesting ones, of late. Curcumin, green tea, grape seed and other extracts show promise.

Nearly thirty years ago, Linus Pauling told us that we could live longer and feel better, if only we would increase our daily nutritional intake. His ideas concerning supplementation were controversial, but he was a Nobel Prize winning chemist and, over the course of his life, the winner of dozens of science awards and honors.

Now that you know a little more about where research stands concerning resveratrol and cancer, you might want to learn how to choose an excellent nutritional supplement. It might be the best thing that you ever do for your health.