Broccoli (Sprouts or Extract) May Halt Growth of Breast Cancer Cells
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In recent years, medical researchers have been battling a top killer
of women -- breast cancer. One study may have found answer in
a component of broccoli.
Indole-3-carbino, which is found in broccoli, interferes with the
breast cancer cell's life cycle in a way that hints at a totally
new signaling pathway in the cell. The chemical seems to be working
by a very unusual mechanism. It turns off a gene for an enzyme important
in the cell's growth cycle.
The chemical Indole-3-carbino (I3C) is a component of broccoli
and other members of the Brassica family, such as brussels sprouts,
bok choy, kale, chard and turnips.
I3C has low toxicity but seems to be very effective in fighting
breast cancer cells. According to the study, it is an effective
agent at blocking tumorigenesis in rats. When fed to them, I3C can
block 95 percent of all breast cancers in rats. The compound also
works independently of the hormone estrogen, unlike breast cancer
treatment drugs like Tamoxifen.
I3C would be a good candidate for use in combination therapy with
drugs those that do interfere with estrogen.
In fact, research shows that I3C does not act on estrogen at all.
Instead the chemical actually stops the cell cycle. When I3C reacts
with stomach acid, the byproducts are the ones responsible for the
anti-estrogen and certain toxic effects of the broccoli compounds.
I3C initiates a sudden drop in the generation of the enzyme CDK6,
or cyclin-dependent kinase 6.
Nutrition
and Cancer 2004;48(1):84-94
Dr. Mercola's Comment:
From every way that I look at it I3C sure seems vastly superior
to the drug Tamoxifen
to treat breast cancer. It also is likely to be very beneficial
in the treatment of prostate cancer since the two diseases have
very similar contributing factors. However does that mean you should
absolutely rush out and purchase supplements
of I3C?
Absolutely not!!!
My strong recommendation would be to get the entire family of
beneficial nutrients.
One way to do this would be to eat broccoli
but the best way is to consume broccoli
sprouts, which are hundreds of times more potent than regular
broccoli.
I first wrote about this in 1997 when I posted information on
using broccoli sprouts.
They are an inexpensive and more effective cancer-treating alternative
to eating the whole vegetable. You can purchase organic
broccoli seeds from Johnny's at (207) 861-3901. Reference item
#148, four ounces are $9, or one pound is $26.15. For sprouting
instructions call Jaffe Brothers at (619) 749-1133. Your local library
or health food store may also have some instructions on sprouting
seeds.
Eating sprouts is not the only course of action I recommend
for preventing or treating breast and prostate cancer. Here are
a few other guidelines:
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