Broccoli Helps Prevent Cancer

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http://www.lef.org/news/nutrition/2001/07/17/up/0000-2682-bc-us-cancerprevention\

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Broccoli Helps Prevent Cancer

United Press International

MIKE MARTIN, UPI Science Correspondent

July 17, 2001

 

WASHINGTON, Jul 17, 2001 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Home-grown

broccoli, the vegetable George Bush, Sr.

refused to eat, contains a potent anti-cancer compound that turns on a variety

of enzymes that protect cells from

genetic damage, according to a leading cancer researcher from Johns Hopkins

University in Baltimore.

 

" Cauliflower and broccoli are especially effective in ramping up the body's

cancer defense mechanisms by increasing what

we call 'phase 2 enzymes,' " Dr. Paul Talalay told journalists at the 11th annual

American Institute for Cancer Research

conference on Diet and Nutrition in Washington. " These vegetables are

particularly rich in the compound sulforaphane,

which boosts phase 2 enzymes. "

 

Anti-oxidants come in two types, indirect and direct, Talalay told reporters.

Unlike direct anti-oxidants, which bind to

potentially cancer causing " free radicals, " indirect anti-oxidants -- such as

sulforaphane -- turn on a variety of phase

2 enzymes which protect cells against cancer.

 

" We found a significant correlation between the occurrence of bladder cancer and

the consumption of vegetables such as

cauliflower and broccoli, " Talalay said. " We also found that mice who were

missing the gene that turns on phase 2

enzymes were shown to be more susceptible to tumors, a key finding that we

believe shows the importance of these enzymes

in cancer prevention. We have long awaited proof of this principle. "

 

Talalay quickly pointed out that broccoli purchased from a supermarket is

inferior to home-grown broccoli, and that

broccoli sprouts are associated with a higher degree of cancer-preventing phase

2 activity than mature broccoli heads.

 

" When we first started research in this area 20 years ago, people pretty much

ignored us, " Talalay said. " They thought

what we were doing bordered on quackery. I remember saying it was hard to find a

room small enough to contain the number

of people interested in nutritional prevention of cancer. "

 

In recent years that attitude has changed noted Talalay, adding " cancer is a

highly preventable disease, and nutrition

plays an important role. "

 

Cancer researcher Linda Quattochi agreed.

 

" In my own research, we have found that certain flavonoids in green tea compete

with environmental carcinogens by

binding with the cell receptors that activate cancer, " Quattochi, from the

University of Colorado Health Sciences Center

in Denver, told reporters. " Green tea, in other words, can block the harmful

action of many carcinogens. "

 

" These days, diet and nutrition represent the most exciting fields of cancer

research, without question, " Talalay said.

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Broccoli also provides about 160 mg per cup more Omega 3 than Omega 6.

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Good Health & Long Life,

Greg Watson,

http://www.ozemail.com.au/~gowatson

gowatson