Broccoli helps kill cancer cells

Monday, 13 June 2011 4:35 PM

We have long been told about the health benefits of superfoods but now Sulforaphane, one of the primary phytochemicals in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables has been proved to actually selectively target and kill prostate cancer cells, while leaving normal prostate cells healthy and unaffected.

The research at the Oregon State University is another step forward in the potential use of sulforaphone in cancer prevention and treatment, with clinical trials already underway for its use in prostate and breast cancer.

The compound, which is found in broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage, and bok choy is an inhibitor of HDAC enzymes, which is one of the more promising fields of cancer treatment. The enzymes affect access to DNA and play a role in whether certain genes are expressed or not.

Previous studies showed that prostate tumours in mice were slowed by a diet containing sulforaphane.

In the study researchers wrote: “Here we show for the first time that sulforaphane selectively targets benign hyperplasia cells and cancerous prostate cells while leaving the normal prostate cells unaffected.”
 

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Broccoli helps kill cancer cells

Broccoli helps kill cancer cells

We have long been told about the health benefits of superfoods but now Sulforaphane, one of the primary phytochemicals in broccoli has been proved to selectively target and kill prostate cancer cells, leaving normal prostate cells healthy and unaffected.

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weight loss

The study commissioned by diet aid manufacturer Slimsticks, also discovered that a worrying one in five people have followed an ‘eating is cheating’ starvation diet and one in ten have tried a liquid diet.

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