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BROCCOLI GIVES UP ITS CANCER-KILLING SECRETS

BROCCOLI: cancer killer

Friday January 2,2009

By Jo Willey

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EATING broccoli can dramatically cut the risk of developing breast cancer.

Along with other cruciferous vegetables, such as kale, cauliflower and cabbage, it is already known to contain chemicals that prevent a number of different cancers.

But now experts have discovered the compound in the veg that can actually kill breast cancer cells.

The remarkable discovery once again highlights the benefit of eating the cancer-busting vegetables to stave off the killer disease.

Scientists at the University of California have revealed for the first time how the healing power of these vegetables works in the cells.

These vegetables contain compounds called isothiocyanates which we believe to be responsible for the cancer-preventive and anti-carcinogenic activities in these vegetables

Olga Azarenko

Their research, published in the journal Carcinogenesis, found that a compound in broccoli inhibits the rapid growth of tumour cells in a similar way to chemotherapy drug taxol and vincristine, a drug which kills cells that reproduce the fastest.

The drugs inhibit cell division during mitosis, the process by which cells split apart and divide.

The research was carried out by Leslie Wilson, professor of biochemistry and pharmacology, and Mary Ann Jordan, adjunct professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, at the university’s Santa Barbara laboratories.

Graduate student Olga Azarenko, who worked on the project, said: “Breast cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women, can be protected against by eating cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and near relatives of cabbage such as broccoli and cauliflower.

“These vegetables contain compounds called isothiocyanates which we believe to be responsible for the cancer-preventive and anti-carcinogenic activities in these vegetables. Broccoli and broccoli sprouts have the highest amount of the isothiocyanates.

“Our paper focuses on the anti-cancer activity of one of these compounds, called sulforaphane, or SFN. It has already been shown to reduce the incidence and rate of chemically induced mammary tumours in animals. It inhibits the growth of cultured human breast cancer cells, leading to cell death.” Ms Azarenko and her team made the surprising discovery that SFN inhibits the rapid growth of tumour cells, mimicking some anti-cancer drugs that target the fastest-producing cancer cells.

SFN, like the more powerful anticancer drugs, interferes with microtubules of cancer cells that are vital for the cell’s division. But SFN is much weaker than the plant-based drugs, and therefore less toxic.

Prof Wilson said: “SFN may be an effective cancer preventive agent because it inhibits the proliferation and kills precancerous cells.”

It is also possible that it could be used as an addition to taxol and other similar drugs to increase effective killing of tumour cells without increased toxicity, he added.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in this country and is diagnosed in 44,600 people each year.

Cancer Research UK advises people include broccoli in their diet in a bid to prevent breast cancer.

Dr Alexis Willet, policy manager at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: “Whilst we can’t comment on this research specifically, Breakthrough’s advice to all women is to eat a healthy balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, limit alcohol consumption, exercise regularly and keep a healthy weight in order to maintain general good health.”

BROCCOLI GIVES UP ITS CANCER-KILLING SECRETS

03.01.09, 10:53am

Its a simple fact of life - Natural Vegetables ALL contain the ingredients we need for a Healthy Life.

Its the JUNK FOOD CRAZE thats done the damage over the Years but successive Governments have allowed these despicable outlets to flourish and thus the health of the Nation is now in question.

In the late 40's, the 50's and 60's Obesity in Britain was a rarity because we all ate relatively healthily.

Yes there was Cancer around but not at todays levels and another fact is that the incidence of Cancers have rocketed since the Chernobyl disaster but the Government is reluctant to talk about this.

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