Broccoli Sprouts And Dangers Of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death among American men, according to the National Cancer Institute. It develops when cells in the prostate gland become abnormal, growing out of control and forming malignant tumors that can spread and cause serious illness. Current research indicates broccoli sprouts might help prevent or slow the growth of prostate cancer. Talk to your doctor to decide if consuming broccoli sprouts is a good strategy for your situation.

Symptoms and Risk Factors

Prostate cancer might cause no symptoms in its early stages, but in advanced stages, you might experience difficulty urinating, problems starting or stopping the flow of urine, or a frequent need to urinate. You might also have pain or burning during urination, blood in your urine or semen, difficulty having an erection, or pain in your lower back or hips. Although the cause of prostate cancer is not known, being over 65 or having a family history of prostate cancer increases your risk for the disease. Your risk is also higher if you are black, have precancerous prostatic abnormalities or changes in certain genes, including BRCA1 and BRCA2.

Broccoli Sprouts

All brassica, or cruciferous, vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower contain healthy phytochemicals, including a compound called glucoraphanin. When you consume one of these vegetables, an enzyme in the food converts glucoraphanin into an active form, sulforaphane, which is a natural anti-cancer agent. Broccoli sprouts are considerably more rich in glucoraphanin than mature vegetables. Three day old sprouts contain 20 to 50 times the amount of this compound than mature broccoli, according to scientists at Johns Hopkins University Medical Center. Research with broccoli sprouts suggests they might be helpful in preventing or slowing the growth of prostate cancer.

Evidence

Sulforaphane from broccoli sprouts fights prostate cancer through several mechanisms, according to lab research summarized by the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. It prevents changes in potentially carcinogenic chemicals that can initiate cancer, and it stimulates enzymes that detoxify these harmful compounds. It also blocks division of prostate and other cancer cells, and triggers apoptosis in these cells, a process that causes them to die. A review of epidemiological studies published in "Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention" in 1996 suggests that people who eat lots of broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables have a decreased risk of cancer. Although clinical trials with broccoli sprouts and human subjects with or at risk for prostate cancer are still needed, these findings are very encouraging and suggest that consuming broccoli sprouts might help protect you from prostate cancer.

Recommendations

Broccoli sprouts often are available from health food stores or fresh food markets, or you can purchase seeds and grow sprouts at home. Broccoli sprout extract is also available from some health food stores as capsules, standardized for their content of sulforaphane. Broccoli sprouts are considered very safe and have no known side effects. Discuss consuming fresh broccoli sprouts or supplements with your doctor before adding them to your regular regimen.