Broccoli ingredient fights more than cancer

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http://www.lef.org/whatshot/2002_02.html#bifm

 

Broccoli ingredient fights more than cancer

 

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have discovered that sulforaphane, a

cancer-fighting substance in broccoli, has antioxidant capabilities that provide

protection against other human diseases. The research, published in the December

18 2001 issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, revealed that

sulforaphane may help protect cells from oxidants for several days after being

treated with the compound.

 

The researchers pretreated adult retinal pigment epithelial cells for

twenty-four hours with varying concentrations of sulforaphane and exposed the

cells to four different oxidative stressors. Sulforaphane provided protection to

the cells in proportion to the concentration used. The cells continued to be

protected from the compounds for two to three days after the sulforaphane was

removed.

 

The study's authors believe that sulforaphane's ability to prevent oxidative

damage as well as fight cancer are attributable to its ability to manufacture

phase 2 enzymes that can detoxify oxidants. Study coauthor and Johns Hopkins

Professor of Pharmacology Paul Talalay, MD commented, " Our work with

sulforaphane has focused on cancer, but now it assumes wider significance for

human disease because the compound also helps prevent oxidative damage. The

finding that a compound from the diet can provide powerful, chemically versatile

and prolonged protection against oxidative stress may particularly impact human

retinal disease. There are many dangers to cells, and it makes sense that cells

have protection against these dangers, which include oxidants. Elevating these

intrinsic protection mechanisms by administering a wide variety of chemicals,

many of which are in the diet already, can be an effective way to prevent

disease. This adds to already good evidence that eating large quantities of

vegetables -- and cruciferous ones play a special role -- is one thing that

really works to fight disease. "

 

 

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