Breast cancer breakthrough: broccoli component zaps cells that fuel tumor growth

More Info on Broccoli and Broccoli Sprouts for review and consultation with your health practitioner:

Broccoli is a type of green Cruciferous Vegetable.

Botanical Name

Brassica oleracea italica

Health Benefits of Broccoli

Immune System

Broccoli may possess demonstrable Cancer preventative properties:

- Broccoli may help to prevent Bladder Cancer. - Broccoli may be especially effective for preventing Breast Cancer (due to the ability of its constituent - Indole-3-Carbinol - to increase the excretion of the form of Estrogen (16-hydroxyestrone) linked to Breast Cancer).
- Broccoli may help to prevent Colon Cancer.

- Broccoli may help to prevent Leukemia (due to the Sulforaphane content of Broccoli).
- Broccoli may help to prevent Lung Cancer.
- Broccoli may help to prevent Melanoma (due to the Sulforaphane content of Broccoli). - Broccoli may help to prevent Ovarian Cancer (due to the Indole-3-Carbinol and Phenethyl Isothiocyanate (PEITC) content of Broccoli).

- Broccoli (at least three servings per week) may reduce the risk of Prostate Cancer (by almost 50%) (this effect is likely to be due to the Indole-3-Carbinol content of Broccoli). references
- Broccoli may help to prevent Stomach Cancer.

Broccoli may Enhance the Function of these Substances

Enzymes

Broccoli may mildly inhibit the production of Acetylcholinesterase (the enzyme responsible for breaking apart (hydrolyzing) Acetylcholine.
Broccoli may increase the activity of Glutathione-S-Transferase (due to the Isothiocyanates content of Broccoli).

Broccoli may Counteract these Potentially Toxic Substances

Amines

Broccoli may reduce the carcinogenicity of Heterocyclic Aromatic Amines (HAAs).

Electromagnetic Radiation

Broccoli may protect against the toxic effects of X-Rays.

Broccoli Contains these Substances

(mg of Substance per 100 grams)

Alkaloids: Glucobrassicins
Amino Acids 3,300 Lysine 147 Phenylalanine 119
Isoleucine 126 Leucine 163
Valine 170 Methionine 50
Glutathione Tryptophan 37
Threonine 122 Arginine 192
Histidine 63 Cysteine
Auxins: Indoles: Ascorbigen *
Indole-3-Carbinol
Bioflavonoids: Quercetin
Carbohydrates: Cellulose
Carotenoids: Lutein Alpha-Carotene
Enzymes: Myrosinase
Lignans: Secoisolariciresinol 0.414 Coumestrol 0.008
Minerals: Calcium 103 Copper
Phosphorus 78 Magnesium 24
Broccoli 382
Organic Acids: Succinic Acid
Polyphenols: Kaempferol 3.08 –9.15 Quercetin 1.5 –4.31
Isoflavonoids: Daidzein 0.006
Genistein 0.008
Sulfuric Compounds:
Glucosinolates:
Isothiocyanates
Phenethyl Isothiocyanate
Sulforaphane 0.1
Dithiolthiones
Vitamins: Folic Acid Vitamin A
Vitamin B2 Vitamin C 110
Vitamin K Vitamin B1
Vitamin E: Alpha-Tocopherol 1.6
Gamma-Tocopherol 0.5
Alpha-Tocotrienol 0.1
Vitamin K 0.307
Other: Protease Inhibitors
* To be precise, Ascorbigen is not present in its intact state in Broccoli. Chopping, shredding, juicing or chewing Broccoli breaks down the Cell walls of Broccoli and this trauma causes the release of Myrosinase (an enzyme) that reacts with Glucobassicins (a group of Alkaloids) in Broccoli to form (primarily) Indole-3-Carbinol. This newly-formed Indole-3-Carbinol reacts with Broccoli’s naturally-present Vitamin C content to form Ascorbigen.

Minor Toxic Effects of Excessive Broccoli Consumption

Digestive System

Broccoli may cause Flatulence.

Minerals

Some of the Isothiocyanates that are constituents of Broccoli may block the body's utilization of Iodine.

Dosage Recommendations

The therapeutic dosage of Broccoli (derived from concentrated Broccoli capsules that are standardized to contain 0.04% Sulforaphane) is 250 - 500 mg per day.

Commercial Availability of Broccoli Supplements

The best means of obtaining the health benefits of Broccoli is to consume fresh Broccoli in the diet.

Oral Products

Oral Broccoli supplements are available from health food and nutrition outlets in the form of:

- 250 - 500 mg capsules
- 500 mg tablets
- powder

Standardization

Some Broccoli supplements are standardized to contain 0.04% Sulforaphane.
Most broccoli capsules supplements are concentrated by a factor of 400 (i.e. 1 gram of Broccoli capsules is equivalent to 400 grams of fresh Broccoli).

Broccoli Sprouts....Also known as: BroccoSprouts

Description

Broccoli Sprouts are the Sprouts obtained from the Broccoli plant.

Health Benefits of Broccoli Sprouts

Immune System

Broccoli Sprouts may be highly protective against Cancer (Broccoli Sprouts are the highest known dietary source of the potent anti-cancer phytochemical Sulforaphane).

Metabolism

Broccoli Sprouts may lower total serum Cholesterol levels:

- Broccoli Sprouts may increase HDL Cholesterol levels. - Broccoli Sprouts may lower elevated LDL Cholesterol levels.

Broccoli Sprouts Contain these Substances

Sulfuric Compounds

The principal active ingredient of Broccoli Sprouts is Sulforaphane (each 100 grams of Broccoli sprouts contains 35 mg of Sulforaphane).

Dosage Recommendations

The usual therapeutic dosage of Broccoli Sprouts standardized to contain 0.4% Sulforaphane is 500 mg per day = 2 mg Sulforaphane.
The usual therapeutic dosage of Broccoli Sprouts concentrated tablets is 125 mg per day (using products concentrated to a factor of 20:1) - this is the equivalent of 125 grams of fresh Broccoli or 2.5 grams of fresh Broccoli Sprouts.

Commercial Availability of Broccoli Sprouts Supplements

Singular Oral Products

Broccoli Sprouts are available from some internet-based nutrient suppliers in the form of:

- 250 mg tablets standardized to contain 0.4% (1 mg) Sulforaphane
- loose powder concentrated to 20:1
- loose powder concentrated to 100:1

Formulas

Broccoli Sprouts are an ingredient in some mixed Vegetable powder supplements (capsules).

Standardization

Some Vegetable powder capsules are standardized to contain 0.035% Sulforaphane (for example 125 mg Broccoli Sprouts extract containing 44 mcg Sulforaphane).

How to Produce Broccoli Sprouts from Broccoli Seeds

Place up to one cup of Broccoli Seeds into a clear glass jar and cover with water.
Alternatively, place Broccoli Seeds into a moist linen or muslin bag.
Rinse or spray the Broccoli Seeds two to four times per day.
Once rootlets and two leaves have formed, the Seeds have become Broccoli Sprouts.

HyperHealth