Broccoli has been considered for some time to be a food that helps prevent certain cancers. Cancer can happen to anyone at any age, but the incidence of cancer increases with age as cells start oxidizing. Broccoli may inhibit the oxidation of cells, but be careful: a large intake of certain nutrients in broccoli may actually increase your risk of certain cancers. Talk to your doctor about broccoli consumption before you change your diet and increase your broccoli intake.
Sulforaphane
Broccoli contains a phytochemical called sulforaphane. This chemical may increase the activity of certain enzymes that fight cancer, and inhibit the oxidation of cells. A 2009 article published in "Cancer Prevention Research" found that 2-month daily intake of sulforaphane-rich broccoli sprouts inhibited the growth of cancerous breast cells. If you have breast cancer, or want to increase your broccoli intake to prevent breast cancer, talk to your doctor first.
Indoles
Broccoli also contains powerful chemical compounds called indoles, which are phytochemicals that may prevent hormone-related cancers, such as breast cancers. An article published in the September 2006 edition of "Biochemical Pharmacology" found that indoles inhibited the growth of cancerous prostate cells. Broccoli may seem like a reasonable chemoprevention for prostate cancer, but talk to your health care provider about increasing your broccoli intake for the prevention of prostate cancer.
Calcium
Broccoli provides a rich, non-dairy source of calcium, which may play a role in the prevention of cancer. According to the National Cancer Society, research shows that men and women had a 31 percent reduced risk of colorectal cancer when their dietary calcium intake was 500 mg or more. Talk to your doctor about broccoli consumption and calcium supplements, especially if you are being treated for colorectal cancer, a kidney disease or osteoporosis.
Beta-Carotene
Broccoli contains a good source of beta-carotene, which is a nutrient that plays an important role in the prevention cell oxidation. However, too much beta-carotene intake can actually increase the risk of cancer in some people. According to the National Cancer Society, smokers had a higher risk of getting lung cancer than those who did not smoke. It doesn't matter whether you eat food sources rich in beta-carotene, such as broccoli, or take beta-carotene supplements, your increased beta-carotene intake is what increases your risk of lung cancer if you are a smoker. If you are a smoker, talk to your doctor before increasing your broccoli -- or beta-carotene -- intake.
References
- "Cancer Prevention Research"; Sulforaphane, a Dietary Component of Broccoli/Broccoli Sprouts, Inhibits Breast Cancer Stem Cells; Li Y, Zhang T, Korkaya H,Liu S, Lee HF, Newman B, Yu Y, Clouthier SG, Schwartz SJ, Wicha MS, Sun D.; April 2010
- "Biochemical Pharmacology"; Broccoli May Help Prevent Certain Hormone-Related Cancers. Broccoli Contains Indoles, Which Are Cancer-Fighting Compounds That Provide Protection Against Prostate And Breast Cancer; Indole-3-carbinol mediated cell cycle arrest of LNCaP human prostate cancer cells requires the induced production of activated p53 tumor suppressor protein; Hsu JC, Dev A, Wing A, Brew CT, Bjeldanes LF, Firestone GL; December 2006
- National Cancer Institute: Calcium and Cancer Prevention: Strengths and Limits of the Evidence
- National Cancer Institute: Beta-Carotene Supplements Confirmed as Harmful to Those at Risk for Lung Cancer
