Credit: © pinkomelet / Fotolia

How does broccoli fight cancer?

by Stepy — April 7, 2017

Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli are well known as potent cancer fighters. But how does broccoli fight cancer? Let’s find out.

One of the most potent anti-cancer compounds in broccoli is called sulforaphane, which is a natural type of sulfur.

Many medical studies have confirmed the anti-cancer effects of sulforaphane, including in cancers of the colon, breast, prostate, tobacco-related cancers, and liver cancers.

Three servings of broccoli per week may even reduce your prostate cancer risk by up to 60 percent.

New research from Oregon State University has uncovered the mechanisms behind sulforaphanes anti-cancer effects.

More than 90 percent of your DNA has been considered ‘junk DNA’ as it doesn’t seem to have any particular function. However, new research has shown that this way of thinking is just not true.

The research paper explains the difference between different types of DNA:

“Many of these noncoding transcripts are processed to generate small noncoding RNA such as miRNA, or lncRNA. Through their interaction with DNA, RNA and proteins noncoding RNA have emerged as key regulators of gene expression under both physiological and pathological conditions …

Interestingly, cross-regulatory networks between miRNAs and lncRNA have recently been identified. A number of detailed sequencing studies have revealed that lncRNA are preferentially expressed in a tissue‐specific manner, suggesting that they hold great promise as selective targets in disease.”

Dr. Mercola, a leading health expert and physician weighed in on the results: “Getting back to broccoli, scientists at OSU discovered that sulforaphane significantly reduces the expression of lncRNAs in prostate cancer cells, thereby influencing the miRNA and reducing the cancer cells’ ability to form colonies by as much as 400 percent.”

Lead investigator Emily Ho, Ph.D. concluded: “It’s obviously of interest that this dietary compound, found at some of its highest levels in broccoli, can affect lncRNAs. This could open the door to a whole range of new dietary strategies, foods or drugs that might play a role in cancer suppression or therapeutic control.”

Note: None of the information in our website is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. The content on our website is for educational purposes only.

DON’T FORGET to sign up for our weekly newsletter to get our latest articles, updates, free recipes and giveaways.