If
you have been worried about cancer in your family's health history
victimizing you or your children, I have some good news from recent
researches. Let's learn more about the natural way of combating cancer
with broccoli.
Some of us scorn at the very thought of eating a
broccoli but the smarter one's knows that melting cheese sauce on
steamed broccoli can be the yummiest and simplest vegetable dish ever.
Remember, how as children, our mothers would pester us in to having at
least a couple of pieces of broccoli. We shall do the same to our
children. Then, not to forget, came in the broccoli soup diet. Broccoli
is a powerhouse of nutrients and often listed as a super-food. The
origin of broccoli can be traced back to Italy. It reached the United
States about 200 years ago but gained popularity only in 1920s. The most
commonly available variety in the country is Italian green or broccoli
sprouts.
Broccoli: The Cancer Cure?
Broccoli contains a
type of anti-carcinogens, known as isothiocyanates, that target
defective gene p53 responsible for cancer. Carcinogens promote the
production of cancerous cells while anti-carcinogens fight and destroy
them. For at least 15 years, scientists have speculated the ability of
broccoli as a potential cancer fighter. However, it has now been proven
that it does combat cancer because it contains two cancer preventing
compounds - sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol.
Sulforaphane in Broccoli
It
is a compound found abundantly in broccoli and has been proven to fight
the primary cancer cells that promote the growth of the disease in the
body. It has been discovered that sulforaphane fights an enzyme called
Histone Deacetylase (HDAC). It also promotes the production of
glutathione, an enzyme that destroys cancer-stimulating food components,
especially found in over-cooked meat. This means that as it fights the
root cause, it will prevent a cancer relapse which is often the case in
chemotherapy treatments. It is especially beneficial in treating breast
cancer. It prevents the growth or development of a new tumor. It does
not target healthy cells. It works like a natural chemotherapy
mechanism, but in multiple body parts!
Indole-3-Carbinol in Broccoli
Another
special compound present in broccoli, indole-3-carbinol helps reduce
estrogen levels, specifically 4-hydroxyestrone, in the body that are
responsible for breast cancer, especially in females. The phytonutrient
in broccoli also helps obstruct the movement of cancerous cells to other
parts of the body, thereby, restricting the growth of cancer. It also
promotes the growth and multiplication of the body's natural anti-cancer
cells.
Besides the above chemicals, broccoli is rich in folate
and beta-carotene, both of which help build immunity required to fight
cancer. Broccoli prevents all types of cancers related to bowel, colon,
prostate, breast, cervical, bladder, mouth and etc. Broccoli not just
helps prevent cancer from developing in your body, it also helps a
cancer patient to reduce the symptoms and even completely cure this
life-threatening disease. If anyone you know is suffering from any type
of cancer, providing at least 2-3 servings of broccoli daily along with
the medications can prove to be useful. It will help prevent the cancer
from spreading and it will also fight to cure it.
Cook Broccoli the Right Way
It
is very important that you cook broccoli the right way in order to reap
the cancer fighting benefits of the cruciferous vegetable. If you
overcook it, excess heat will destroy myrosinase, an enzyme needed by
the body for the metamorphosis of sulforaphane. Boiling also results in
significant reduction of the nutritional value of broccoli. Hence, I
would suggest that you eat the broccoli raw or lightly saute it in a pan
using extra virgin olive oil/ sunflower oil. Always wrap your broccoli
in a plastic sheet and refrigerate to avoid contact with air. Broccoli
is a wonder vegetable that also helps prevent and cure diabetes, heart
diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, constipation, stress,
osteoporosis, high blood pressure and improves overall health of your
eyes.
While you are shopping for groceries, choose a broccoli
which has a shade of deep green or purple. The color is an indicator of
the level of beta-carotene. Never buy the yellow colored ones, wet or
even open clusters. In fact, I will let you in on a secret, the bitter
the broccoli, more sulforaphane it contains but broccoli sprouts have 20
times more of the phytochemical.
Why don't you safeguard your
health and that of your family's with broccoli and prevent cancer. In
fact, if you have a family history of breast cancer or prostate cancer,
make it a consistent part of your diet. This cancer combating vegetable
is very economical on your grocery budget and available throughout the
year. You can start by trying a cheese sauce and broccoli recipe. It is
simple to cook and tastes good. The kids will love it and so would you.
Avoid broccoli supplements as the real deal is better because it has far
more vitamins and minerals packed in it and is free of synthetic
chemicals.
