Eating sprouts can help prevent breast cancer, claims study

The Daily Mail ^ | October 11, 2006 | EMILY COOK

[MadIvan]

Brussels sprouts and cabbage could be the latest weapons in the battle against breast cancer, according to new research.

Scientists have discovered a chemical in the green vegetables that appears to kill off breast cancer cells when combined with chemotherapy drugs.

Previous studies have already suggested a link between eating such vegetables and prevention against cancer.

But this is one of the first studies examining how the vegetables can play a role in treating the disease.

For the latest research, British scientists studied the effects of the naturally-occuring compound indole-3-carbinol (I3C) on tumour cells in the laboratory.

I3C is found in cruciferous vegetables (belonging to the mustard family), including broccoli, cauliflower, kale and watercress, with high concentrations in Brussels sprouts and cabbage.

For the research, carried out at the University of Leicester, cancer cells were fed doses of around 300mg to 400mg a day - roughly the same amount found in a trolley-full of cabbages.

The study showed that when the compound was used in conjunction with common chemotherapy drugs, the tumour cells were killed off.

Professor Margaret Manson, of the Department of Biochemistry and the Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, said the trials were in the early stages but hoped the findings will eventually benefit cancer patients.

Speaking at the National Cancer Research Institute Conference in Birmingham, she said: "Obviously, in humans you would want to reverse the cancer, but if you could even halt it so it does not progress further, that would be beneficial.

"Usually what kills patients is metastatic cancer, where it spreads around the body.

"Although we need to carry out further studies on tumours removed from patients, the potential benefits are clear."

The study, funded by the Medical Research Council, involved using I3C on four different types of breast cancer cells. The findings were published in the journal Carcinogenesis.

Professor Manson said that the compound appeared to alter the molecules in three of the cell types, making them more vulnerable to anticancer drugs.

Combining the compound with chemotherapy drugs therefore enhanced the drugs' effectiveness.

It is thought that I3C may have a similar impact on colon cancer cells.

Prof Manson added: "We will repeat the studies on cells derived directly from patient tumours which have been surgically removed and, if the results are confirmed, this will eventually lead to clinical trials." Dr Sheila Bingham, director of the Medical Research Council Centre for Nutrition and Cancer at the University of Cambridge, said: "This study supports the growing evidence that food can be important in altering our susceptibility to cancer and possibly survival from it, and may help to explain why fruits and vegetables are so important."

Josephine Querido, science information officer at Cancer Research UK, said: "This study adds to the evidence that I3C molecule - found in broccoli, cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables - can help block the growth of breast cancer cells.

"The work was carried out on cells grown in the laboratory and it is not yet clear if I3C will have a role in breast cancer treatment. "After stopping smoking, a healthy balanced diet including plenty of fruit and vegetables is the best way to reduce your risk of developing certain cancers."

[MadIvan]

I believe there are a good number of people who would rather risk cancer than eat their sprouts (I happen to like sprouts, but only if they're fresh, not frozen).

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Ping!

[Aria]

save for later

[kalee]

I love them frozen or fresh as long as the are not cooked until they are gray and limp.

[Salamander]

Then they can try this in capsule form.....;]

http://www.dimfaq.com/index.htm

[rlmorel]

"...Eating sprouts can help prevent breast cancer, claims study..."

Yes. And so can jumping off a bridge at the age of 21. Sheesh. These studies can get crazy, can't they?

In fine print: This study was funded and publicized by the American Sprout Growers Association."

Not that there is anything WRONG with that...

[LadyPilgrim]

I love green veggies, orange veggies, yellow veggies and any other color veggies I can find.

Fresh is best in season, and frozen if not in season.

I don't let my "druthers" stand in the way of impeding my choices.

Thanks for the post!

[Aggie Mama]

It's in just about any quality multi-vitamin (not the kind you buy at the grocery store).

[veronica]

I happen to absolutely love brussel sprouts. One of my favorite foods. I steam them lightly and add a bit of low sodium soy sauce to the water. I can eat them by the bucketful. It's great to know they are good for me...

[sergeantdave]

I'm in favor of cabbage, especially when finally chopped, stuffed in eggrolls with other goodies and deep fried in peanut oil.

Brussell sprouts picked and eaten from the garden immediately after a hard freeze are exquisite.

[gitmogrunt]

I wouldn't be surprised if it were found out that the authors of the study own several thousand "sprout" shares on the commodities market.

[nmh]

Eating fruits and vegetables in GENERAL help to ward off disease and boost your immune system.

Pssst ... don't tell alopathics this ... that'd rather prescribe liver damaging drugs to keep their practices going. They must continue to poohoo alternatives and good nutrition.

[mtntop3]

A cancer prevention diet including these vegs has long been shown to be effective. It makes only sense that combining these vegs with medication would be more efficacious for treating cancer..

My experience is that relatively few individuals in our society make a connection between their diet and their morality. They have chemotherapy and then continue on Kentucky Fried Chicken and pop.

The same seems to be true for medical facilities - hospital meals are notoriously semi-fatal.

[Mike D7]

Scientists at UC Berkeley have recently discovered why.

DIM boosts the immune system and has potent anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer properties.

References:

http://www.diindolylmethane.org/

http://www.activamune.com/index.html