Can Eating Broccoli Slow Down Cancer-Cells Growth?

Some of the previous studies have found that women with a high intake of cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage or kale, have a decreased risk of breast cancer. It was found that a certain element present in cruciferous vegetables can help is slowing down the growth of cancer cells. In particular, sulforaphane appears to inhibit histone deacetylases, or HDACs, which in turn enhances the expression of tumour suppressor genes that are often silenced in cancer cells.In an online journal published on the U.S. National Institutes of Health's National Library of Medicine website, the authors, Kendra J. Royston, and Trygve O. Tollefsbol noted, "The epigenetic diet is of extreme interest, for research suggests that cruciferous vegetables are not only an important source of nutrients, but perhaps a key to eliminating cancer as life threatening disease."The experts also noted that, "brassicaceae, or cruciferous vegetables, have chemical components that exhibit anti-inflammatory effects. These foods also drive the detoxification of certain carcinogenic enzymes and are toxic to many types of cancer cells. The consumption of a typical serving of vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and many others of cruciferin nature, may significantly decrease and lessen the incidence of carcinogenic fatality. In fact evidence shows that individuals who consume a diet rich in cruciferous vegetables have lower risks of developing cancer."While sulforaphane has long shown evidence of value in cancer prevention, researchers at Oregon State University (OSU) and the Oregon Health and Science University suggested in a new study that it may play a role in slowing cancer growth as well, Xinhua reported.Emily Ho, a professor at the OSU College of Public Health and Human Sciences, said: "Our original goal was to determine if sulforaphane supplements would be well tolerated and might alter some of the epigenetic mechanisms involved in cancer."The findings were the result of the first clinical studies to look at the effect of sulforaphane on breast tissues of women diagnosed with breast cancer. In a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial, 54 women with abnormal mammograms were given either a placebo or supplements that provided sulforaphane. The amount of sulforaphane they received would equate to about one cup of broccoli sprouts per day, if eaten as a food."We were surprised to see a decrease in markers of cell growth, which means these compounds may help slow cancer cell growth," said Ho."This is very encouraging. Dietary approaches have traditionally been thought to be limited to cancer prevention, but this demonstrated it could help slow the growth of existing tumours. "In the new study published in the journal Cancer Prevention Research, the intake of sulforaphane did reduce HDAC activity, as well as cancer cell growth. As co-author of the study, Ho said it is possible that sulforaphane may be added to traditional approaches to cancer therapy, whether to prevent cancer, slow its progression, treat it or stop its recurrence.Researchers said additional studies are needed to evaluate dose responses, work with larger populations, and examine the responses of other relevant molecular targets to either foods or supplements containing sulforaphane.