Preventing cancer has always been about eating your veggies, but recent research reported in Life Extension’s October 2011 issue, focuses specifically on broccoli’s ability to help us in this regard. A current study on this topic was reported recently in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. A compound inherently found in broccoli called sulforaphane appears to be the helpful substance in this veggie, as well as a natural way to prevent cancer.
Sulforaphane
The current research done suggests that a specific group of enzymes called histone deacetylases become inhibited by the compound in broccoli called sulforaphane. This substance assists the body in stimulating tumor genes that suppress cancer cells. This process is silenced in cancer cells creating a favorable environment for cancerous tumors to begin to grow.
Healthy Cells are Spared
This research done by Emily Ho and collegues of hers, particularly studied the effects of sulforaphane on normal cells as well as prostate cancer epithelial cells. Their work revealed that sulforaphane encouraged the ceasing of the cancer cell process that normally occurs to assist cancer in it’s success, while leaving normal cells unaffected in any way allowing them to proceed in their usual business.
The research done documents very well the capability of sulforaphane to take aim at individual cancer cells by way of multiple modes of mechanisms that are preventative in warding off cancer.
The exciting part of all of this is that sulforaphane appears to be selective in it’s quest to seek out cancer cells, and seems to be very effective in this process with regard to cancerous prostate cells particularly. In fact prostate cancer seems to be broccoli’s target.
Broccoli Juice
Juicing broccoli is a very healing, medicinal way to gain the benefits of this powerful veggie. I add it to my own daily juicing process by cutting off the florets with some stalk included and juicing it along with carrot, apple, and beet. However, you can juice it with whatever veggies and fruits are your own favorites. My point is that juicing broccoli provides a powerful way to prevent cancer and can be implemented on a daily basis with no side affects other than good thriving health.
Source: Life Extension Magazine’s October 2011 issue.