FYI: Broccoli Eliminates H. Pylori, Protects Against Ulcers, Stomach Cancer

The World's Healthiest Foods ^ | undated | not named

[imardmd1]

Broccoli and broccoli sprouts contain a chemical called sulforaphane that kills helicobacter pylori, the bacteria responsible for peptic ulcers and most gastric cancers, according to researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

In the U.S., approximately 50% of people over age 50 test positive for H. pylori, which does not always cause ulcers, but is now known to dramatically increase an individual's risk for often fatal stomach cancers, and to be a causative factor in a wide range of other stomach disorders including gastritis, esophagitis, and acid indigestion.

In the lab, scientists at Johns Hopkins found that sulforaphane effectively killed H. pylori regardless of whether it was inside or outside of stomach lining cells and even if it was a strain that had become resistant to commonly used antibiotics. In addition, even brief exposure to sulforaphane killed H. pylori inside human stomach lining cells.

Practical Tips

Raw broccoli is bursting with nutrients, but cooked broccoli is even better for you since lightly steaming or stir-frying helps to release its beneficial compounds.

Here are a few of the World's Healthiest Foods quick serving ideas to help you reap these protective benefits of broccoli:

o Sprinkle lemon juice and sesame seeds over lightly steamed broccoli.
o Purée cooked broccoli and cauliflower, then combine with seasonings of your choice to make a simple, yet delicious, soup.
o For a quick and easy gratinée, top lightly steamed broccoli with grated cheese and broil for just a couple of minutes.

Want to learn more about the amazing health benefits of broccoli, truly one of the World's Healthiest Foods, just click broccoli.

For some exceptionally fast, exceptionally delicious recipes that will help you enjoy making broccoli a frequent contributor to your healthy way of eating, take a look at the World's Healthiest Foods' Recipes containing broccoli. Simply, click on the Recipe Assistant, select broccoli from the Healthy Foods List, and click on the Submit button. A list containing links to all our recipes containing broccoli will appear immediately below.

Research Summary

In laboratory tests, sulforaphane, killed 3 reference strains and 45 clinical isolates of H. pylori. A simple blood test can identify H. pylori infection, but eradication of the bacterium is difficult since it has developed resistance to commonly used antibiotics, and because it can hide out inside the cells that form the lining of the stomach where it remains safe from these medicines. Sulforaphane, however, was shown to kill h. pylori even if it was resistant to commonly used antibiotics, and regardless of whether the bacterium was inside or outside of stomach lining cells. Even brief exposure to sulforaphane was enough to kill H. pylori inside human stomach lining cells.

How much sulforaphane was needed for these beneficial effects? According to Jed Fahey, one of the lead researchers, "The levels at which we tested it ... are such that those could be achieved by eating broccoli or broccoli sprouts. It's a reasonable level that we think would be reached in the stomach."

Earlier studies with co-researcher Dr. Paul Talalay, reported in the World's Healthiest Foods' Latest News story, Broccoli Sprouts, Packed with Cancer-Protective Compounds, had demonstrated that sulforaphane protected mice exposed to a potent carcinogen from developing stomach tumors. This anti-cancer action resulted from sulforaphane's ability to trigger the activity of protective antioxidant enzymes in the liver that locked on to the carcinogens, changing them into a form in which they could be eliminated from the body.

Now, with this new study that has extended broccoli's benefits to the eradication of H. pylori, the researchers believe that "the dual actions of sulforaphane in inhibiting Helicobacter infections and blocking gastric tumor formation offer hope that these mechanisms might function synergistically to provide diet-based protection against gastric cancer in humans."

Broccoli and broccoli sprouts may be of tremendous benefit in Third World countries where H. pylori infection is rampant and antibiotics are too costly, scarce, and difficult to distribute. According to Fahey, a plant physiologist, "In some parts of Central and South America, Africa and Asia, as much as 80 to 90% of the population is infected with helicobacter, likely linked to poverty and conditions of poor sanitation…people in some of these very poor areas, where it's almost impossible to even conceive of antibiotic therapy ... might, by a relatively minor change in diet, be able to heal themselves."

Fahey's advises Americans, "I feel quite comfortable suggesting people eat more fruits and vegetables, specifically cruciferous vegetables, specifically broccoli. We know it's safe and healthy ... we know sulforaphane is effective in protecting against cancers."

Reference: Fahey JW, Haristoy X, Dolan PM, Kensler TW, Scholtus I, Stephenson KK, Talalay P, Lozniewski A. Sulforaphane inhibits extracellular, intracellular, and antibiotic-resistant strains of Helicobacter pylori and prevents benzopyrene-induced stomach tumors. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 2002 May 28;99(11):7610-7615.

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Notes:
- For education only, consult a healthcare practitioner for any health problems.
- The George Mateljan Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation with no commercial interests or advertising, is a new force for change to help make a healthier you and a healthier world.

[Free Vulcan]

Add kale and kohlrabi to that as well.

[tumblindice]

It’s good for reducing high blood pressure. Celery too.

[PraiseTheLord]

” But does it come in expensive pill form? “

It does come in an expensive freeze-dried powder form, with other ingredients. I am glad it is expensive - hoping that means something. Mix in a glass of plain water or anything, nice taste.

Search something like “ delicious greens 8000 “ gets a lot of info. It comes in flavors - I prefer the original - sort of maybe a mint like flavor.

Copy following from the search:
Food Supplements: Delicious Greens 8000 Original supplements, skin care, vitamins, ... With over 35 active ingredients, Lifes Greens powder provides

[Rembrandt]

I say blend the broccoli into tiny little pieces, mix it with flour and use it as breading for shrimp, chicken, etc which is then fried til it turns crisp. Call it ObamaBreading and give it away free. Let the pig promote it on the tube.

[piasa]

Brussel sprouts... cut em in half, put them in a shallow pan, sprinkle them with garlic, pepper, salt, olive oil and a little bit of water and roast them until almost tender. Add parmesan cheese and dried cranberries - “craisins” and finish roasting.

mmm, mmm...

[blam]

"I wonder if broccoli is an good for your lower intestines as it is for your stomach? "

I've read that it is.

[VeniVidiVici]

I love cabbage but it gives me huge gas. I’m trying to watch my global warming.

[imardmd1]

I wonder if broccoli is an good for your lower intestines as it is for your stomach?

I will personally vouch that the amount of sulfonophane in too much raw broccoli will make your lower intestines work overtime, and create a pretty sudden big mess. That's a fact.

[imardmd1]

'Scuse me. I meant to write sulforaphane! Doggone. Must be my AutoCorrect /wry grin

[imardmd1]

But does it come in expensive pill form?

Well, phound this: the killing off the H. pylori part comes in sulforaphane pills; 15 cents apiece. Not much phun in that.

[albie]

A Broccoli recipe from my wife. Place on cookie sheet and drizzle with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and some parmesan and broil for a few minutes. It is fabulous.

[imardmd1]

And spinach?

Nitrates: found in spinach seems to be the strength-giving ingredient.

"I'm Popeye the Sailor Man,
I'm Popeye the Sailor Man.
I'm strong to the finich
Cause I eats me spinach.
I'm Popeye the Sailor Man!"

My Number One childhood hero!

Does Popeye snort marispinach?

Nitrates, which could be one of those key ingredients, interact with bacteria in the mouth to produce nitric oxide. Wow!. Pretty complex ---

[Ditter]

Awrite! That sounds excellent I'll have another helping of raw broccoli please! :)

[txgirl4Bush]

I was just diagnosed with H-pilori, and took a round of powerful antibiotics that really didnt agree with me. They put you on two -500 mgs of amoxicillin twice a day, and one 500 mg clarithyimicin twice a day. Lots of side effects. I will start adding more broccoli to my diet, thanks for the info.

[tdscpa]

You weren’t watching Fox News today. They ran a story of some guy dying from eating Brussels Sprouts. Got an overdose of some vitamin.

However, I will brave them also. Periodically, usually in the winter I can grow some wonderful Brussels Sprouts in my greenhouse in the winter. The rest of the year, they are always ruined by cabbage worms, aphids, or white flies.

I’ve seen the roasted preparation, but have never tried it. Too lazy. I just steam them for 3-4 minutes in my microwave, salt and butter them, enjoy.

[bkepley]

ping