Resveratrol found in grapes

protects DNA, cuts risk of

heart disease, cancer

Tuesday, January 06, 2015 by: Jennifer Lilley

(NaturalNews) Resveratrol is no stranger to news

headlines and the health-minded people who are

privy to various findings about it.

After all, the organic compound has been touted

for its ability to slash heart disease risks and boost

health. Findings have shown that it has the ability

to keep certain cancers at bay and help prevent

aging, and may even play a role in weight loss. It's

been eyed as the reason behind why many

cultures that enjoy wine seem to be in good

health, and has also been shown to help improve

spinal bone density in men who have metabolic

syndrome.

At the same time, it's also been met with

resistance among naysayers who maintain that not

enough evidence truly exists.

Theories also abound that it's just an excuse for

red wine lovers to drink up, as the compound is

found in grapes. The Mayo Clinic, for example, states that, despite its possible health benefits,

doctors are leery of recommending wine to

patients, as overconsumption can lead to health

problems. They also make certain to highlight that

most studies have involved animals, not humans,

and that, while it does come with benefits, they

are likely not long lasting.

There's also been a finding that the compound

may get in the way of physical activity results; one

study found that, in groups of people who

exercised -- some taking resveratrol and others, a

placebo -- it was the non-resveratrol group that

noted improvements in their fitness levels.

Resveratrol mimics naturally occurring amino acids

that protect us from genetic damage

However, research conducted by Matthew Sajish

and Paul Schimmel of the Scripps Research

Institute in La Jolla, California, has narrowed the

gap on the resveratrol debate. Their findings are in

line with those who have praised resveratrol's

ability to help health. The difference, though, is

their remarkable discovery that resveratrol mimics

tyrosine, a naturally occurring amino acid that

binds to enzymes. One such enzyme, TyrRS, is

activated when resveratrol binds to it, causing it to

move to the cell nucleus where it helps protect

chromosomes' DNA from genetic damage. Such

protection, the researchers say, includes tumor-

suppressing anti-cancer benefits as well as the

ability to increase longevity and fight illnesses that

develop with age.

"With these findings we have a new, fundamental

mechanism for the known beneficial effects of

resveratrol," Dr. Sajish said.

The study, titled, "A human tRNA synthetase is a

potent PARP1-activating effector target for

resveratrol," was published in the journal Nature.

"Because human tyrosyl transfer-RNA (tRNA)

synthetase (TyrRS) translocates to the nucleus

under stress conditions, we considered the

possibility that the tyrosine-like phenolic ring of

resveratrol might fit into the active site pocket to

effect a nuclear role," the study abstract states.

Clearly, they figured correctly, as they discovered its ability to help protect from genetic damage.

"We believe that TyrRS has evolved to act as a

top-level switch or activator of a fundamental cell-

protecting mechanism that works in virtually all

forms of life," explained Dr. Sajish.

Food and drinks that are resveratrol sources

For those curious about the wine aspect that's

often been eyed as a go-to resveratrol source,

they suggest that, yes, enjoying the drink may

have benefits. "Based on these results," said Dr.

Sajish, "it is conceivable that moderate

consumption of a couple of glasses of red wine

would give a person enough resveratrol to evoke a

protective effect via this pathway." In particular,

wines made from Pinot Noir and St. Laurent grapes

have been found to have the highest levels of

resveratrol.

However, wine isn't the only source of the

compound, contrary to what many people think.

Cranberries, blueberries and pomegranates are

considered sources of resveratrol, although they

haven't been studied as extensively as red grapes

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