broccoli's cancer-fighting properties
Did You Know...

... that broccoli's cancer-fighting properties rival the healing power of traditional cancer treatments?
Ray Wiseman discovered the curative power of broccoli when he was diagnosed with bladder cancer at age 79 in 2003. Oncologists told Ray they thought his cancer would kill him. But Ray's wife, Joan, thought otherwise, and started serving him a glass of fresh broccoli juice each morning. Ray's cancer stopped spreading.
Five years later, scans verified that the cancer growth was still arrested, and Ray's story made headlines around the world -- spurring further research into broccoli's anti-cancer agents.
For decades, the American Cancer Society has known that broccoli and other cruciferous veggies -- like cauliflower and watercress -- seem to lower cancer risk. And researchers have proven that compounds in broccoli called isothiocyanates (ITCs) halt the growth of cancer cells.
In one study published in Proceedings, the journal of the National Academy of Science, investigators fed rats with hearty servings of broccoli for several days. Then they exposed the rats to carcinogenic chemicals known to cause breast cancer in animals. The rats who ate broccoli were half as likely to develop tumors as the control group.
Unfortunately, scientists weren't able to explain exactly how ITCs stopped cancer -- until recently. The secret was unlocked by Xiantao Wang and published recently in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.
Apparently, the ITCs in broccoli target and block a defective gene that's associated with half of all human cancers.
"Cruciferous vegetables contain compounds that preferentially destroy ineffective mutant p53 tumor suppressor proteins, but leave the good ones alone."
-- Scientific American, January 27 2011
The p53 gene, is our body's natural tumor suppressant. It contains proteins intended to protect cells and keep cancer from growing. But when the p53 gene mutates, that protection vanishes -- and that's where ITCs come in. ITCs attack mutant p53 genes and get them out of the way, while leaving normal p53 genes to do their job.
Researchers examined the effect of ITCs on cancers of the lung, breast, and colon -- and in all cases, ITCs removed defective p53 proteins. Xiantao Wang and his research team report that "depletion of mutant p53 may reduce drug resistance and lead to new strategies for treating cancer in the clinic."
Until then, don't forget that Ray Wiseman beat his cancer with plain raw broccoli. It's well known that you can fight cancer with broccoli just by eating it regularly. Elizabeth Jeffery, nutrition professor at the University of Illinois, says 3 to 4 servings of broccoli a week is a potent cancer-fighter. But be careful if you plan to cook it.
To preserve broccoli's cancer-fighting force, steam it for 2 to 4 minutes -- do not boil or microwave. Cooking broccoli by boiling or microwaving it destroys myrosinase, a critical enzyme. Without myrosinase, sulforaphane cannot form -- and sulforaphane is broccoli's cancer-fighting and anti-inflammatory compound. Jeffery's study was published in the January 2011 issue of Nutrition and Cancer.
The Superfood That Heals
• Cancer: In addition to ITCs, broccoli contains anti-cancer agents like glucoraphanin, diindolylmethane, beta-carotene, selenium, vitamins C, A, and E, zinc, potassium, and amino acids. Broccoli fights effectively against cancers of the prostate, lung, colon, liver, kidney, intestine, and especially breast and uterine cancer, because broccoli flushes excess estrogen from the body.
• Detoxification: Vitamin C, sulphur, and amino acids clear out free radicals and toxins, purify blood, and protect against boils, itches, rashes, gout, arthritis, rheumatism, renal calculi, and eczema.
• Digestion: Because it contains loads of fiber, broccoli aids digestion and prevents constipation. Magnesium and vitamins balance acidity and reduce inflammation.
• Skin Care: Broccoli promotes radiant skin and lustrous hair with antioxidants like beta carotene and vitamin C -- along with vitamins A, E, K, and B complex, omega 3 fatty acids, amino acids, and folate.
• Heart Disease: Antioxidants, fiber, beta-carotene, omega-3 fatty acids, and other vitamins lower bad cholesterol and regulate blood pressure.
• Eye Care & Cataracts: Zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, vitamin A, phosphorus, and other vitamins -- B complex, C, and E -- promote ocular health, protect against macular degeneration and cataracts, and repair UV damage.
• Immunity: Vitamin C, beta-carotene, selenium, copper, zinc, and phosphorus boost immunity and prevent infection.
• Bone Health: Plentiful calcium along with magnesium, zinc, and phosphorus build strong bones.
• Pregnancy: Protein, calcium, vitamins, antioxidants, detoxifiers, iron, phosphorus boost nutrition, and fiber prevents constipation.
• High Blood Pressure: Chromium, vitamins, fiber, and omega 3 fatty acids help to balance blood sugar, control insulin production and regulate blood pressure.
• Anemia: Broccoli is rich in the iron needed to boost red blood cells.
Many health practitioners and natural health authorities claim that broccoli could well be sold as a prescription drug because of its powerful therapeutic and healing effects.
Comments
Regret to read you had a stroke before.
Hope you are okay today.
I drink lots of Chinese and Japanese green tea....as I have never gone overboard for broccoli, ha ha.
You keep well. Best regards.
Lee.