(03-11-10) Powerful compound in broccoli, cruciferous vegetables proven to prevent cancer

by Ethan A. Huff, staff writer

(NaturalNews) New research out of the University of Illinois (U of I) has
proven that sulforaphane, an organosulfur compound found in broccoli and other
cruciferous vegetables, is transferred directly from the digestive system into
the body through the "good" bacteria that live in the gut. When operating at
optimal capacity, the body is able to absorb the most sulforaphane and gain
considerable anti-cancer benefits from it.

Sulforaphane is known to have anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, and anti-microbial
properties, but researchers have wondered exactly how, and how well, the
compound is assimilated into the body. According to their inquiry, intestinal
microbiota actually consume and break down glucoraphanin, the parent compound
of sulforaphane, and deliver it into the bloodstream where it provides a direct
anti-cancer effect.

"The presence of sulforaphane in measurable amounts shows that it's being
converted in the lower intestine and is available for absorption in the body,"
explained Elizabeth Jeffery, a U of I professor of human nutrition. "It's also
comforting because many people overcook their broccoli, unwittingly destroying
the plant enzyme that gives us sulforaphane. Now we know the microbiota in our
digestive tract can salvage some of this important cancer-preventive agent even
if that happens."

Since broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables are rich in sulforaphane, it
does not take very much of them to achieve a substantial anti-cancer benefit.
Sulforaphane is so potent that even minimal amounts are capable of staving off
the disease.

"The amount that you get in three to five servings a week -- that's less than
one daily serving of broccoli -- is enough to have an anti-cancer effect," said
Jeffery. "With many of the other bioactive foods you hear about, vast amounts
are required for a measurable outcome."

But having a healthy digestive system with well-functioning gut microbiota is
vital for obtaining the most benefits, which is why Jeffery stresses the
importance of eating plenty of prebiotics and probiotics as part of a healthy
diet.

"One way (to boost bacteria in the colon and enhance the anti-cancer effects
of sulforaphane) might be to feed the desirable bacteria with prebiotics like
fiber to encourage their proliferation," she said. "Another way would be to use
a probiotic approach -- combining, say, broccoli with a yogurt sauce that
contains the hydrolyzing bacteria, and in that way boosting your cancer
protection."

Sources for this story include:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_relea...

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